Orlando VA offers new training, resources for country’s largest caregiver support system

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Veteran Affairs held its annual caregiver support summit earlier this week.

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Nurses and family members of veterans learned about new resources offered by the VA at the Lake Nona Medical Center on Wednesday.

The VA provided some of the area’s caregivers with training, counseling, well-being exercises and activities to improve their health.

The organization recognized one wife for her caring efforts toward her husband after he was injured in Iraq in 2004.

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“They’re teaching us about taking care of us so (that) we can take care of them,” Leyda Rivera said.

Michelle Harper, Orlando VA general caregiver support coordinator, said there are two programs.

The comprehensive assistance for family caregivers program has 1,550 people, and there are 140 caregivers in the general caregivers support services program.

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“Orlando is the largest caregiver support system in the country,” she said.

Harper explained that many veterans and families live in the area, and these summits help caregivers in Central Florida.

The VA said the event’s goal is to help veterans reach their full potential with the support of their caregivers.

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