How many of you have had Covid? We just got it for the third time and over the years we’ve learned to keep our home stocked with some essential supplies to help treat it at home. Trust me, If you come down with the Coronavirus and are feeling like crap, the last thing you want to do is order supplies and have them delivered. Plus, if you test positive or have symptoms you should NOT be out buying them in person either!

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We have 2 adults living in our household so my supplies list is based on that. You will need to figure out what you’ll need per your family size. I recommend putting together a “sick kit” and storing it. Every 6 months go through your “sick kit” to restock items as needed. Make sure you keep track of expiration dates on those over-the-counter medications.

Things You Need for Treating Covid at Home

6 At-Home Covid Test Kits
1 Bottle Tylenol
Thermometer
1 Bag Cough Drops
1 Bottle Cough Medicine
1 Pkg. Decongestant (liquid or pill form)
3 Boxes Facial Tissues
1 Bottle Hand Sanitizer
1 Bottle Liquid Antibacterial Hand Soap
1 Bottle Lysol Disinfectant Spray
1 Canister Clorox Disinfecting Cleaning Wipes
6 Small Trash Bags
12 Disposable Face Masks
12 Pairs Disposable Gloves
6 – 8 Jars or Cans of Soup
4 Pkgs. Gelatin or Pudding Mix
1 Box Instant Oatmeal
1 Box Saltine Crackers
8 Bottles of Water
4 Bottles of Ginger Ale
2 Bottles of Gatorade

As you look through the list of items in my family’s “Sick Kit” you will see that they include over-the-counter medications, cleaning supplies and some basic food items. When you’re sick you don’t feel like eating or may have trouble keeping food down…so be prepared with some basic food & beverage items. Those items will vary according to what you and your family like.

You want to store your sick kit in a cool, dry and dark place. I keep everything in a large storage tote in the back of my pantry.

If you want to keep it from spreading to additional family members you need to isolate yourself to another part of the home. If you need to come into contact with family members wear a mask and have them wear one too! Keep your trash bagged and inside your room until you’re feeling better. My husband and I have both had Covid at separate times with precautions we didn’t pass it to one other! It can be done!!!

Once you’re feeling better and no longer contagious it’s time to give your home a good over-all cleaning! Wipe down the things you frequently touched, toss bed linens and dirty clothing into the washing machine, use Lysol Disinfectant Spray throughout your home to get rid of those nasty germs! Start moving around the house (pacing yourself) to help get your strength and energy back. It will take some time until you’re up to normal again.

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Disclosure: We’re not giving out medical advice nor do we pretend to know everything. You need to consult your doctor and other medical professionals for their advice and information. We’re just sharing a few tips that we learned along the way that made our bouts with Covid-19 easier to get through. Your experiences may be different.

A PTSD diagnosis can drastically change the life of the Veteran you care for. You may notice physical changes like difficulty sleeping, irritability, or emotional changes such as avoidance of specific people or places.

You can help your Veteran manage their symptoms with a combination of therapy and medication. To get started, apply for the VA caregiver program.

Benefits

The VA provides several services for caregivers, including monthly compensation, training, and healthcare benefits. To qualify for the program, a veteran must have a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher and live with a family member who is the primary caregiver. The Veteran must also be unable to perform their daily activities independently or require supervision, protection, or instruction.

Those who meet the requirements are eligible to receive a monthly stipend and additional benefits that include counseling for PTSD, respite, mental health treatment, and group and individual support. Those already in the program will be reassessed for eligibility over the next year.

NPR reported on the program last year after a report found that some VAs were dropping families from the program while others were adding them.

Requirements

If you’re considering applying for the program, be prepared to provide details about your caregiving responsibilities. During your conversation with the clinical team and home visit, be as specific as possible. This will help them determine how much stipend payment you’ll receive and the degree of personal care services your Veteran will need.

Moreover, the VA caregiver program for PTSD provides crucial support and resources to caregivers assisting veterans diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, offering assistance tailored to the specific needs and challenges of both the veteran and the caregiver.

To qualify for the VA caregiver program, your Veteran must have a service-connected disability that requires daily assistance. They must also be unable to self-sustain in the community without a primary caregiver. This means they can’t perform basic actions such as eating, bathing, dressing, or using the bathroom.

Caregivers should also be able to attend regular mental health sessions with their Veteran, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and family or couples counseling. This is especially important when the Veteran has PTSD, as symptoms can cause emotional and behavioral changes. For example, a PTSD flare-up may lead to the Veteran avoiding people or becoming withdrawn.

Appeals

If you are applying to the program, being open and honest with your clinical team during the home visit is essential. Be sure to discuss your schedule and specific activities you support the Veteran with and answer questions about how well they perform ADLs. Also, stay in contact with your Caregiver Support Coordinator (CSA) throughout the process.

After NPR’s report last year, the VA briefly paused all revocations and conducted a strategic review to improve the program. However, veterans who dropped from the program at the VA say that they can still not get back on.

Fortunately, a ruling by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims means that veterans can appeal their decisions from the Board. Keep an eye out for notices that are coming in the mail. You can also reach out to your local DAV office for assistance.

Resources

Veterans who have PTSD may experience a wide variety of physical symptoms that interfere with their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These symptoms can range from difficulty falling asleep to recurring and intrusive thoughts that bring up the memory of the trigger or stressor event that caused the PTSD in the first place.

Often, these symptoms lead to a loss of hope or enthusiasm for life, making it hard for a veteran to engage with family and friends. This can cause them to become isolated and withdrawn from the world.

For those who are caring for a Veteran with PTSD, there are various resources available through the VA Caregiver Program. These include monthly compensation, medical training, healthcare benefits, and respite. Those interested in applying for the program must have a home visit with a VA examiner to verify that they require caregiver services and assess their level of need.