Pittsburgh VA joined state and local officials in encouraging Pennsylvanians to support caretakers of Veterans, the hidden heroes among us.
Pittsburgh VA hosted an event on its H.J. Heinz III campus announcing recent legislative action designating Pennsylvania a Hidden Heroes Commonwealth. Hidden Heroes works through the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to ensure caregivers of Veterans and service members have access to resources such as Pittsburgh VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP).
Director Donald Koenig said the medical center has expanded and improved its CSP in the six years since Allegheny County signed on as a Hidden Heroes Community in 2017. “To us, they are more than caregivers. They are our partners. They are our teammates. They are hidden heroes,” Koenig said.
Keynote speaker and Pennsylvania Adjutant General Mark J. Schindler encouraged all Pennsylvanians to support military and Veteran caregivers. “It is not easy to care for others. It can be physically, emotionally and even financially draining. As a Hidden Heroes Commonwealth, we are all responsible to do anything in our power to ensure caregivers have the resources needed to keep caring for their loved ones,” Schindler said.
“He exemplifies the definition of a hidden hero.”
Officials presented caregiver and Elizabeth Dole Foundation fellow Robert Grier Jr. with citations from the Pennsylvania House and Senate. Grier, who cares for his father—Air Force Veteran Robert Grier Sr.—represented all caregivers across Pennsylvania.
Jamie DaPos, Pittsburgh VA’s CSP manager, described Grier Jr. as a compassionate caretaker for his father and a strong voice for all caretakers. “He strives every day to do anything he can to support his dad and ensure he receives the best care possible. He exemplifies the definition of a hidden hero,” DaPos said.
Grier Jr. said VA Pittsburgh and the Dole Foundation have been invaluable resources for his family and all the caregivers they serve.
DaPos and the medical center’s CSP staff maintain the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) and Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) for Pittsburgh-area caregivers.
PGCSS provides peer support mentoring, skills training, coaching, telephone support, online programs and referrals to available resources to caregivers of Veterans. The program adds a monthly stipend, access to health care insurance, mental health counseling, certain beneficiary travel benefits and respite care.
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