Imagine being handed the keys to a brand-new sports car with an invitation to drive a couple of laps around an empty racetrack. The top is down, the wind is racing through your hair, and the deafening roar of 1,000 horsepower is bellowing from the engine block. You don’t have to be a car person or a thrill seeker to crack a smile at the thought of that scenario.

Now imagine never taking it past second gear.

To call that a squandered opportunity is an understatement, and it’s akin to being a caregiver who doesn’t take advantage of DAV Caregivers Support.

Caregivers deserve their own support. That’s why the program exists and why thousands of caregivers have enrolled in it since its inception in October 2023. But considering how many disabled veterans need assistance with their basic needs, that number must grow exponentially as we continually work to evolve the program.

That’s where you come in. If you’re a veteran caring for a loved one, a veteran who relies on a caregiver, or a caregiver yourself, I encourage you to take the program for a spin around the track to see what it can do. It’s also important that all of us let others know about it. Use social media, reach out directly, or hand them this magazine when you’re done with it.

Make sure to tell them that the program will give them access to a tailored resource plan that can evolve with their needs. Let them know that the trained caregiver specialist they’re assigned to will remain with them throughout their time in the program so they don’t have to constantly explain themselves every time they contact a specialist. These specialists will connect caregivers to resources and plans and do all the research on their behalf to free up time for caregivers that they otherwise wouldn’t have.

There’s also a peer support Facebook page exclusively available to program enrollees, where they can gain additional insight from others about their caregiving journeys. And just like all DAV programs and services, you don’t have to be a member to join or pay a single penny for any of it.

Signing up is easy. Visit davcaregivers.org and select “Click here to register.” From there, you’ll create an account and answer a few quick questions about your caregiving role. You’ll then be contacted by a caregiver support specialist who will handle everything from that point on.

So now you have the keys. It’s up to you to put the pedal to the metal.