Turn the care team’s instructions into a practical plan.
Observation, radiation, and surgery create different follow-up needs. Ask the treating team for written instructions specific to the patient. Do not substitute a general checklist or another member’s recovery story for those instructions.
Before treatment
Confirm transportation, lodging, pharmacy, meals, child or pet care, and time away from work or duty.
Decide who will receive updates and who will contact family.
Ask what help may be needed at home and for how long.
Write down the after-hours and urgent contact numbers.
At discharge and follow-up
Review medications, restrictions, follow-up visits, and the return-to-work or duty process.
Ask which symptoms require a routine call, a same-day call, or emergency care.
Confirm any balance, eye-care, wound-care, driving, or fall precautions that apply.
Keep a simple question log for the next appointment.
Confirm referrals and authorizations through the service member’s care team and TRICARE pathway.
Ask the appropriate military point of contact about duty, leave, travel orders, and documentation.
Check travel benefits before booking; eligibility and preapproval rules vary.
Make a backup plan for PCS, TDY, deployment, child care, and household responsibilities.
Supporting from another location
Choose a nearby contact who can help in person if the patient agrees.
Join appointments remotely when offered and authorized.
Use a shared calendar or document folder with the minimum necessary information.
Agree on check-in times across time zones and what should trigger an urgent call.
Travel planning
Eligible veterans and caregivers may be able to claim approved VA healthcare travel. Some non-active-duty TRICARE Prime enrollees may qualify for the Prime Travel Benefit for referred specialty care.
Caregiving can include uncertainty, disrupted sleep, travel, work changes, and emotional strain. Share tasks early. Keep your own health appointments, meals, rest, movement, and supportive relationships on the calendar. If stress is becoming hard to manage, use a healthcare professional or an eligible counseling service rather than waiting for a crisis.
Name one person who can take over a practical task.
Schedule short periods when you are off duty.
Keep a separate list of your own questions and needs.
Use urgent or crisis services when safety is at risk.
VA’s Program of General Caregiver Support Services offers eligible caregivers training, coaching, group and peer support, and referrals. A Caregiver Support Program team is available at every VA medical center.
Military OneSource connects eligible military caregivers and families with service navigation, military-life expertise, and confidential non-medical counseling options.
Program eligibility, services, and availability can change. Confirm current requirements directly with the program.
Printable tool
Caregiver coordination sheet
Use this to divide practical tasks and prepare questions. This page does not save or send what you enter. Avoid Social Security numbers, military IDs, medical record numbers, or detailed medical information.