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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

During Military Caregiver Month, Tips to Help MD’s Veteran Families

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Thursday, May 20, 2021   

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- May is Month of the Military Caregiver to honor more than five million veteran and military family caregivers across the nation, and this year recognizes those folks who were especially taxed during the pandemic.

With almost 400,000 veterans in Maryland, the state's military caregivers took on more responsibilities throughout the COVID-19 crisis, caring for chronically ill, disabled or elderly veterans.

Amy Goyer, caregiver consultant for AARP, said the increased caring magnified the isolation, stress and depression that family members helping out often face.

"The services and support that their loved ones may have been getting may not be available because of the pandemic," Goyer explained. "Then there's more responsibility for the family caregiver. So without those usual support systems, the caregiver may also not be getting caregiver support. So it's a lot of strain and stress."

She stressed looking for support is not selfish, but a practical part of maintaining good caregiving. She recommended those who need help go online to AARP's Facebook family caregivers discussion group, which she moderates for more than 6,000 members.

Family caregivers spend about $7,400 a year out of their own pockets for a range of necessities, according to Goyer. She noted the Veterans Administration offers financial assistance, but does not cover all needed expenses, and job losses and lack of services during the pandemic put even more strain on caregivers' bank accounts.

"AARP created a free financial workbook to kind of help people work through these financial challenges and make sure they are maximizing the income and benefits and services for veterans," Goyer pointed out.

Maryland's older veterans, who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, make up 45% of the state's veteran population, according to the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.


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