VA Butler Healthcare

• Home
• Patients & Visitors
  • Patient Information
    • Patient Information Home
    • Advance Directives
    • Appointments
    • Billing & Insurance
    • Health Education
    • Request Your Medical Records
    • Customer Service
    • Patient Rights & Responsibilities
    • Reporting Safety or Quality Issues
  • Visitor Information
    • Visitor Information Home
    • Cafeteria & Retail Store
    • Visiting Hours
    • Family Member Rights & Responsibilities
• Become a Patient
• Locations & Directions
  • Driving Directions, Parking & Maps
    • VA Butler Healthcare
  • Community Clinics
    • Community Clinic Directory
    • Armstrong County VA Outpatient Clinic
    • Clarion County VA Outpatient Clinic
    • Cranberry Township VA Outpatient Clinic
    • Lawrence County VA Outpatent Clinic
    • Michael A. Marzano VA Outpatient Clinic (Mercer County)
  • Other VA Facilities
• Health Care Services
  • A to Z List of Services
  • Caregivers
  • Homeless Veterans
  • Returning Service Members
  • Women Veterans
• Health Care Providers
• News & Events
  • News, Events & Media Home
  • Calendar of Events
  • Construction
  • Feature Stories
  • Press Releases
  • VA Health Care News
  • VA News
• Jobs & Careers
• About Us
  • About the VA Butler Healthcare
  • Our History
  • Leadership Team
  • VA Healthcare - VISN 4
• Contact Us
  • Contact the VA Butler Healthcare
  • Phone Directory
• Volunteer or Donate
• Operating Status
  • Current Operating Status
  • Work Status for Employees

VA caregiver services

Retired Marine Corps Infantry Staff Sergeant Joshua Caskey and his wife Kelly

Monday, July 2, 2012

Retired Marine Corps Infantry Staff Sergeant Joshua Caskey and his wife Kelly have been married for over 12 years.  During his military career, Josh served two tours in Iraq and 14 months unaccompanied in Okinawa, Japan. While serving on his second deployment, he was injured by a Vehicle-bourne IED. “It was June 19, 2007, a day after his 26th birthday, and a day that forever changed our lives …and we didn't even realize it then,” said Kelly.

Today, Kelly is the primary caregiver for her husband, as well as a mother to their four children. “Being a caregiver for my husband is a constant, sometimes lonely job,” said Kelly. “I now do most everything for our family down to the little things like carrying in the groceries. Sometimes even changing a light bulb becomes a frustration for us both.”

Together Kelly and Josh came to VA Butler Healthcare for help. “VA’s caregiver services help me to not feel alone,” said Kelly. “I feel like I have a team behind me waiting to help and wanting Josh to do well. I have walked into the Caregiver Support Coordinator’s office – in the middle of an emotional breakdown during a really bad day for Josh – and she was there with open arms, getting us all the help we needed.”

Kelly currently uses the caregiver counseling services at VA Butler, and hopes to attend some of the support groups soon. VA Butler offers many programs and services to provide caregivers with the support they need. From home-based health care and respite care, to support groups and counseling, we are here to help caregivers care for the Veteran they love and for themselves.

“Stay in the fight is my advice to other caregivers.  When it gets lonely or hard, lean on others who understand for support,” said Kelly. “And remember to take a little time for yourself, I love a drive in the car with my favorite music.”

For more information about VA’s caregiver support services, call VA Butler’s Caregiver Support Coordinator at 724.285.2492 or call VA’s National Caregiver Support Line toll-free at 1.855.260.3274.

 

 

return to top