Thanksgiving is often described as a warm, cozy holiday—home-cooked meals, laughter around the table, and time with the people we love most.

But if you’re caring for a veteran at home, the holidays can feel very different. Instead of rest, you may feel:

• Tired from doing “all the things”

• Worried about your loved one’s safety

• Guilty for wishing you had just one day off

If that sounds familiar, please hear this: You deserve support, too. And there are resources available—especially for families caring for veterans.

The Hidden Work of Caring for a Veteran

Many of our clients in Davis and Weber Counties are veterans whose spouses, partners, or adult children have become full-time caregivers without ever planning to.

Maybe you’re:

• Helping with showers, dressing, and medications

• Cooking special meals for breathing issues or diabetes

• Driving to appointments and managing paperwork

• Watching for signs of confusion, falls, or wandering

You do this out of love—and we’re grateful for you. But no one can pour from an empty cup. When caregivers burn out, everyone suffers, including the veteran you’re working so hard to protect.

How VA Benefits Can Help Caregivers Breathe Again

The VA recognizes that family caregivers are critical to helping veterans stay at home. That’s why there are programs designed not only for veterans, but also for the people who care for them.

Depending on the situation, the VA may provide:

• In-home support through programs like Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care, where trained aides help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and daily tasks so family caregivers can rest or work.

• Caregiver support resources, such as training, counseling, and help with navigating benefits.

• Additional financial help through programs like Aid & Attendance for eligible veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities or are housebound.

The challenge is knowing where to start—and that’s where we come in.

How Assisting Hands Home Care Supports Family Caregivers

At Assisting Hands Home Care of Davis & Weber Counties, we build our services around both the veteran and the family caregiver.

Here’s how we can help:

1. We listen to your story.

We start with a friendly, no-pressure conversation—often right at your kitchen table. We want to understand:

• The veteran’s medical history and daily needs

• How much you’re currently doing as the primary caregiver

• What’s most stressful or worrying for you right now

2. Our VA advocate helps you understand your options.

Our in-house VA advocate is a veteran himself and speaks “VA” fluently. He can:

• Explain which VA programs might apply to your situation

• Help you connect with VA health care or a VA social worker

• Clarify which benefits can help with in-home care or respite

We don’t replace the VA, but we do help you navigate it.

3. We create a care plan that respects your limits.

Once we understand what the VA can cover and what you need, we build a custom care plan. Examples include:

• A few hours a week of help with personal care and showers

• Light housekeeping, meal prep, and laundry support

• Companion visits so you can run errands or simply rest

• Extra coverage around the holidays or special events

Our goal is to protect your loved one’s dignity and your sanity.

A Thanksgiving Message to Caregivers

If you’re a caregiver, this might be the first Thanksgiving you:

• Order a pie instead of baking everything from scratch

• Ask another relative to take the lead on dishes

• Say “yes” to a few hours of professional help

Those choices aren’t selfish—they’re wise and loving. Your veteran needs you healthy, rested, and able to keep going.

Ready for Support Before the Holiday Rush?

If you’re caring for a veteran in Layton, Ogden, Kaysville, Bountiful, Syracuse, Roy, Clearfield, or the surrounding communities, you don’t have to do this alone.

Assisting Hands Home Care of Davis & Weber Counties can:

• Help you explore VA benefits and programs

• Coordinate in-home support that fits your schedule

• Give you the breathing room you need—especially during the holidays

Visit AssistingHands.com/davis to reach our team and our VA advocate. This Thanksgiving, let’s make sure gratitude includes you, too.