Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes Caregiver Journey Map
Campaign for Inclusive Care

Transforming the Culture of Care

The Campaign for Inclusive Care is a national initiative to integrate caregivers into their Veteran’s healthcare team.

Improving Outcomes for Veterans, Caregivers, and Healthcare Providers and Allied Healthcare Professionals

Based on research from the RAND Corporation, we believe that “the best chance for a wounded warrior to recover and thrive is having a strong, well-supported caregiver.” With millions of Veterans and their caregivers receiving care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs annually, the VA has become an innovator in caregiver support and family-centered care practices. However, many Veteran caregivers still feel disconnected and unsupported in the healthcare setting. The Campaign for Inclusive Care seeks to move from caregiver support to caregiver integration.

A shift towards an inclusive care model creates a more seamless, safe, and integrated care continuum. It honors the vital role Veteran caregivers play in the health and wellbeing of their loved ones, and offers providers a valuable resource in the planning and implementation of Veteran-centric care.

The Campaign for Inclusive Care aims to include caregivers in Veteran care, which will improve outcomes for:

Caregivers

Supporting caregivers along their journey, especially in the healthcare setting, reduces isolation, financial strain and adverse health outcomes like depression and heart disease.

Veterans

Our nation’s wounded warriors are more likely to recover and thrive when their caregivers are embraced, engaged, and empowered in the healthcare system.

Healthcare Providers

Doctors, nurses, social workers, and allied healthcare professionals are able to deliver efficient, effective, and high-quality care when they practice inclusive care.

Society

Embracing and supporting caregivers increases worker productivity, decreases absenteeism, and lowers health care costs, which benefits communities and workplaces across the nation.

The Campaign for Inclusive Care - Get Started

Learn how you can integrate Veteran caregivers into your practice by taking the courses in the Academy for Inclusive Care. Access resources created by and for providers, and join the Campaign for Inclusive Care community.

Join the Academy. To begin the online training, go here. To access all Academy resources, visit here.

Join the Community. Share best practices and learn from experts.

By the Numbers:
Lives Affected by the Campaign for Inclusive Care

Number of Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) practicing inclusive care

Number of providers and allied healthcare professionals trained in inclusive care

Resources for Practicing Inclusive Care

Toolkits, research, videos, and more to help you incorporate caregivers into important conversations about patient care.

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CARE Kits

Explore the CARE Kit and learn strategies and tactics to practice inclusive care every day. Contact us to receive your CARE Kit.

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Academy for Inclusive Care - Training Videos

Watch the short, informative training videos and learn how you can practice inclusive care every day. Visit our training site on TRAIN. Click here.

Working Together to Support Veteran Caregivers At Every Step

The Campaign for Inclusive Care is a joint initiative of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Generously funded by USAA, the Campaign was born out of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Experience Map, where key stakeholders came to understand that at the beginning and across the caregiver journey, interactions with Veteran healthcare providers can set the tone for the entire experience for caregivers and Veterans.