Some family members know that caring for their loved one is predestined, while others are thrust into it. Whether expected or not, the caregiving journey is anything but predictable.

For Darlene Hopper, her experience with her husband, Jesse, a service-connected disabled Army veteran, was both predestined and unexpected.

Jesse’s career in the Army ended prematurely because of a tactical vehicle accident. While helping drivers without a clear field of view maneuver around the motor pool, the vehicle Jesse was guiding slipped a gear, causing it to roll back and pin him against another vehicle.

The crushing force from the collision tore his rotator cuff and damaged his shoulder enough to require reconstructive surgery.

“He was just never physically the same after the surgery,” said Darlene. “On top of the physical injuries, Jesse had to accept the fact he could not finish his career in the Army, and that was challenging for him.”

After leaving the Army, Jesse worked a variety of jobs as a contractor and in the service industry, but his physical and mental health continued to decline. In 2014, he started showing signs of neurocognitive issues, and his doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs soon diagnosed Jesse with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that involves the deterioration of nerve cells in the brain, which affects thoughts, memory and language. According to the VA, veterans who have sustained a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury or have post-traumatic stress disorder are at a higher risk of developing dementia and/or Alzheimer’s.

With that diagnosis, Darlene became a full-time caregiver for her husband.

“As life members of DAV and the Auxiliary, I first reached out to DAV, where a benefits advocate helped us revisit his veteran benefits and file for Individual Unemployability since Jesse could no longer work full time,” Darlene said.

In the early stages of the disease, people may need few supportive services, which was the case for the Hoppers. Money was tight, but the additional disability compensation slightly offset the loss of employment income, and thankfully, Jesse had health care through the VA.

As time passed, Darlene continued to care for Jesse and take him to all of his medical appointments. The complexity of his physical ailments, compounded by PTSD and Alzheimer’s, took an emotional toll. Darlene experienced fatigue, anxiety and depression—all symptoms of caregiver burnout.

Studies have shown that over 60% of caregivers experience symptoms of burnout, and most do not know where to turn for help. This was no different for Darlene, and living in Montana, resources and help for caregivers can be few and far between.

Undeterred, Darlene continued to look for support for her and her husband both within and outside the VA. Last October, Darlene learned of a new caregiving resource while watching a presentation from the DAV Auxiliary.

The program, DAV Caregivers Support, provides online screening, digital tools and a personalized plan that fit Darlene and Jesse’s needs.

“When Darlene first did her initial assessment with us, she had a high acuity and was high risk for burnout,” said Terri Nolan, the Hoppers’ DAV Caregivers Support specialist. “This meant she needed more frequent touch points and services to help support her.”

Jesse had an upcoming back surgery, but his primary care team at the VA was concerned about his mobility and safety at home post-operation. The Hoppers had some large furniture that needed to be removed before they could proceed with the surgery, and with a referral from DAV Caregivers Support, Darlene was connected with a company that was able to assist.

“After we set up the caregiver’s personalized plan, it is ever-evolving,” Nolan said. “We set up calls about every six weeks to check in and adjust as necessary, but we also informally check in through text as needed.”

“I cannot express how wonderful it is to know that, if I need help, all I need to do is reach out by text or call to my care specialist and she will let me know if it’s possible and will do anything she can to help,” Darlene said. “She is such a blessing to us.”

“Caregiving is a noble and often thankless task,” said DAV National Service Director Jim Marszalek. “With DAV Caregivers Support, we have the ability to alleviate some of the stresses caregiving can bring, ensure the care receiver can live at home as long as possible and help the caregiver maintain a high quality of life.”

Are you a veteran caregiver or caregiver for a veteran? Learn more about DAV Caregivers Support by visiting davcaregivers.org.