Offering Relief to Veterans and Their Family Caregivers

October 25, 2021

By Robert Recker

Free in-home professional care, Veterans product sample kit available

Tranquility® is more than just a maker of premium incontinence products. Our company Mission Statement defines our goal to be an organization that “uplifts, enlightens and enriches the lives of those it serves so that they can live more abundantly.” Our products are designed to go beyond merely helping people manage incontinence, by providing them with the freedom and confidence to live well, lowering their risk of contracting dangerous infections, and even deterring the spread of contagious disease.

While we are focused on improving the lives of all our customers, we hold a special place for Veterans, who are more likely to need our products than the general population. Veteran males ages 55 and younger are three times more likely to report urinary incontinence than men who had never served. The prevalence of incontinence for female Veterans is also rising, with one in three younger female Veterans reporting overactive bladder, stress urinary incontinence or painful bladder symptoms.

In addition to a higher likelihood of incontinence, many Veterans and service members struggle daily with service-connected wounds, illnesses and injuries. Veterans suffer more frequently from debilitating medical conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and paralysis or spinal cord injury.

This presents unique challenges for the 5.5 million Caregivers who support former or current military personnel in the U.S., as they strive to help Veterans maintain the honor and dignity they so richly deserve. Often, military and Veteran Caregivers contend with a complex set of challenges, caring for aging parents, their injured spouse and young children – a situation dubbed by some as the “Caregiver Combat Zone.” Many manage their loved one’s needs around the clock, helping them to bathe, dress and eat, and keeping them safe from potential environmental triggers that could quickly escalate. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges and has had a significant impact on the economic, physical and mental health of Caregivers and their wounded warriors.

Understandably, more than a quarter of all Veteran Caregivers experience “excessive burden.” According to the 2014 RAND study, military Caregivers “consistently experience worse health outcomes, greater strains in family relationships and more workplace problems than non-Caregivers.”

Respite Relief

But help is available.

Tranquility is teaming up with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to provide free help for Caregivers of Veterans living at home. The Respite Relief program offers access to free, short-term relief with the help of in-home care professionals. If selected, family Caregivers receive 35 hours of no-cost care that can be used however they like. The Caregiver can choose to use the hours in one week or over a span of multiple weeks, with shifts spread out.

The professional Caregiver can provide non-skilled services to assist in everyday tasks, such as:

• Companionship
• Light Housekeeping
• Grocery Shopping
• Meal Preparation
• Transportation
• Mobility Support/Transferring
• Exercise
• Toileting
• Bathing
• Feeding
• Dressing
• Grooming

Once a Caregiver applies to the Respite Relief program, they are invited to join the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Caregiver community. Part of the Hidden Heroes program, this network unlocks access to programs and services that support not only their immediate needs, but also promote wellness and reduce isolation through peer support and a bi-weekly training series.

To apply for 35 hours of free in-home Respite Relief, click the button below.

Veterans and their family Caregivers may also request a free personalized Veterans product sample kit of Tranquility products.

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Robert Recker

Robert is a Senior Manager of Content Marketing for Principle Business Enterprises, parent company of Tranquility Brand Continence Care Products. He has 15 years of experience creating online educational content in the healthcare industry, specializing in medical supplies.

For more information or questions about this article, please call 1-419-352-1551 or email CustomerService@pbenet.com.