Caregivers of PTSD

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Thousands of Canadian military members are living with post traumatic stress disorder and in many cases it’s the military members’ family who cares for them. But it’s not easy and there’s no manual for how to live with someone with PTSD. So as family members take on the roll of “caregiver” they’re learning to cope with a loved one damaged by war.

Claude Rainville served 20 years in the Canadian military including 4 UN missions in Syria and Haiti. He suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and he’s not alone. About 1 in 6 members of the Canadian military report experiencing some sort of mental disorders including PTSD and for many they say it’s the trip back home that is the hardest.

Jenny Migneault appeared before a senate committee on veterans affairs in Ottawa on June 1st asking the government to provide funds that would help her care for her husband. Currently the government will provide just over $7 000 a year, tax free to pay someone else to occasionally come into the home to relieve family members acting as caregivers, but Mineault says this won’t work for her because her husband won’t let anyone he doesn’t know into their home. So Mineault had to quite her fulltime job to stay home to care for husband.

“What is important to me is recognition, compensation, support and education for me and the children as collateral damages.”

It could take over a year before the senate committee on veterans affairs completes a report on how to better serve caregivers of veterans with PTSD.

Mineault says it’s not just about the money, it’s about survival. “I am more than willing to stay at home. Yes have a pay cheque and be trained in order to have that pay cheque an investment.”

Claude Rainville says he is taking his medication and living day to day.