By Camille D. Ford | Veterans Day Special Feature | November 2025
Summary
Dr. Ledetra Bridges, Program Manager of the Caregiver Support Program at VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, brings personal experience and professional expertise to leading a program that serves the often-invisible heroes in veterans’ lives: their caregivers. With a doctorate in public health from Jackson State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work, she has dedicated her career to helping others after witnessing her mother care for her grandmother as a teenager. Under her leadership, the program provides comprehensive services including respite care, mental health counseling, peer support, skill training, and financial stipends for qualifying caregivers. Through the Program of General Caregiver Support Services and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, her team empowers caregivers with the tools they need to care for their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being, transforming lives by bringing veterans home from nursing facilities, providing financial stability to families, and giving caregivers the freedom to attend church or socialize for the first time in years.
Dr. Ledetra Bridges remembers watching her mother. As a teenager, she witnessed her mother become a caregiver for her grandmother after illness struck. Her grandmother moved into their home, and suddenly her mother was assisting with dressing, bathing, toileting, preparing meals, managing medications, and taking her to doctor’s appointments.
“I actually got a chance to really see the dedication and the sacrifice that she made firsthand,” Dr. Bridges recalls. “And then it just opened my eyes up to noticing some of the challenges that the caregivers actually experienced.”
That experience planted a seed. Bridges knew she wanted to help others. She pursued a bachelor’s degree in social work, then a master’s, then a doctorate in public health from Jackson State University. She started her VA career in Seattle with the HUD-VASH program, helping veterans with housing. When she wanted to be closer to family in Mississippi, she moved to Tennessee, close enough to visit without needing a flight.
Six months ago, she stepped into the role of program manager for the Caregiver Support Program at VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. The program she now leads serves the people who often go unseen: the family members, friends, and loved ones who dedicate their lives to caring for veterans.
The Mission
The mission is clear in Dr. Bridges’ mind.
“The mission of the caregiver support program is to provide resources, education, emotional support, and services to caregivers, helping them to effectively care for their loved ones while also taking care of their own well-being,” she explains. “So, the program aims to empower the caregivers with the tools that they need to improve the quality of life for both themselves and those that they care for.”
Who Qualifies
Understanding who qualifies as a caregiver requires understanding what caregivers actually do.
“Under the VA caregiver support program, a caregiver is typically a family member. It could be a friend, a loved one, and that’s someone that actually provides personal care, assistance with daily activities, or emotional support to a veteran who has a serious injury or illness and requires in-person personal care services,” Bridges explains. “Or it could be like a situation where they are needing supervision, protection, or instruction.”
The caregiver must be an adult. They could be a spouse, son, daughter, step-family, extended family. “Honestly, it can also just be just a loved one in general. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a family member,” Dr. Bridges adds.
But what counts as activities of daily living? Dr. Bridges wants to be specific.
“This includes dressing or undressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, feeding oneself, challenges with mobility. It could also consist of a person needing assistance with adjusting their prosthetics that cannot be done without assistance,” she says. ” I think it’s important for them also to know that requiring assistance only sometimes does not meet the definition of an inability to perform an activity of daily living.”
Two Programs, Two Pathways
The Caregiver Support Program offers two distinct pathways depending on the veteran’s and caregiver’s circumstances.
The first is the Program of General Caregiver Support Services, which Dr. Bridges calls their core program.
“This program provides caregivers with services such as peer support mentors, skill training, coaching, telephone support. We also have online programs, groups, respite care, mental health counseling,” she explains. “And we also just help them with accessing resources in general.”
This program is open to veterans who need assistance with activities of daily living or require supervision or protection. The caregiver does not need to live in the home with the veteran.
The second program is the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
“This program provides all the supports mentioned above in addition to a stipend for caregivers who are providing care for veterans,” Dr. Bridges says.
The requirements for this program are more specific. “The veteran must have at least a 70% service connection disability,” Dr. Bridges explains. “So, just for those who are not really familiar with service connection disability, it is a condition that’s caused or could be worsened by military service and the person may qualify for monthly compensation.”
Additional requirements include that the veteran must receive care at home or plan to do so if VA designates a family caregiver, and they must receive ongoing care from the VA primary care team. For this program, if the caregiver is not a family member, they must live in the home with the veteran.
The Challenges Caregivers Face
The emotional and practical challenges caregivers face are extensive.
“They may experience high levels of stress, exhaustion, burnout, and it’s basically because of just constant demands of being a caregiver,” Dr. Bridges says. “They could also experience feelings of frustration, helplessness, and usually it’s kind of associated with managing the complexities of the veteran’s needs in itself.”
Guilt is common. “Many caregivers also experience feelings of guilt, wondering if they’re doing enough or if they could have done something differently,” she notes.
The emotional toll runs deep. “Additionally, witnessing a loved one suffering or decline can lead to sadness, grief, anxiety about the future, and social isolation is another common issue as caregivers may have limited time for personal relationships, hobbies, self-care, which can impact their mental health and overall well-being,” Dr. Bridges says.
The First Conversation
When a caregiver first connects with the program, the initial conversation focuses on understanding.
“The initial conversation typically begins with our staff asking the caregiver to share their situation, explaining the veteran’s needs, the types of support that they are providing, and any specific challenges that they may face,” Dr. Bridges explains. “So, our overall goal is to get a better understanding of the unique circumstances that they’re experiencing and identify their needs.”
From there, staff explain available services and resources. “We also assess the caregiver’s eligibility for the Program of General Caregiver Support Services or the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and assist with the next steps,” she says.
The team encourages questions and concerns. “Our goal is to ensure that they feel supported from the very first contact and understand the next steps that’s needed,” Dr. Bridges emphasizes.
Why Caregivers Reach Out
The reasons caregivers seek help vary widely.
“The most common reason could consist of just feeling overwhelmed, stressed, experiencing exhaustion from the demands of being a caregiver,” Dr. Bridges says. “Many seek help when they need guidance on managing complex medical needs or help with coordinating appointments, understanding of veteran’s conditions.”
Emotional challenges drive many calls. “Others may also reach out because they’re experiencing emotional challenges, such as feeling stress, anxiety, or depression, and looking for support like counseling,” she notes. “Financial concerns, respite care needs are another common reason as well.”
Training is another frequent request. “Being a caregiver is not easy,” Dr. Bridges points out. “You don’t have like a manual that you can go by to tell you step-by-step what to do. So, oftentimes you’re just reaching out just to get more information on how they can go about providing support, in which we just provide training and resources to kind of help them.”
Collaboration Across the VA
The program doesn’t operate in isolation. It works closely with other VA services.
“We work in partnership with the primary care team,” Dr. Bridges explains. “One of the biggest things that they help us with is really geared towards our respite that we provide with the caregivers, and not only them, we do have a geriatric extended care team as well that participates in that. But typically, they help us with processing the request, ensuring that they actually get the care that they’re requesting.”
Mental health collaboration is essential. “We also work along with the VA Mental Health Services to provide emotional and psychological support to our caregivers as we recognize that they’re experiencing emotional stress and whatnot,” Dr. Bridges says.
Social workers help connect caregivers with community services. “Through these collaborations, we aim to all work together so that the veterans’ and the caregiver’s needs are met,” she adds.
Breaking Down Misconceptions
People often misunderstand what caregiving actually involves.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about caregiving for veterans is that it is straightforward and easy,” Dr. Bridges says. “In reality, it can be complex and extremely demanding. People often assume that caregivers are always prepared or equipped to handle medical or mental health issues, but many caregivers feel overwhelmed and unprepared for the challenges that they face, especially when they’re dealing with conditions like dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or even mobility issues.”
The emotional toll is underestimated. “Another common misconception is that caregiving is only physically demanding, but in truth, it also takes a significant toll emotionally,” she notes. “Many people don’t realize the extent of emotional stress, feelings of isolation, or burnout that caregivers can experience. They may think that caregivers have plenty of support, but honestly, a lot of times caregivers feel isolated and actually lack a lot of support that they’re needing.”
Perhaps the most damaging misconception is that seeking help indicates failure. “A lot of people feel like it’s basically a family matter and that outside help isn’t necessary or that seeking support indicates failure,” Dr. Bridges explains. “But in reality, caregiving often requires a team effort, and utilizing available resources such as our program is actually a good thing and it’s a sign of strength, not a weakness.”
These misconceptions have real consequences. “Overall, just the misconceptions can prevent caregivers from seeking help or accessing the resources that could make their journey more manageable,” she says. “So, it’s important to recognize that caregiving is a challenging role that requires support, understanding, and compassion.”
Prioritizing Caregiver Well-Being
Helping caregivers take care of themselves is central to the program’s approach.
“We actually place a strong emphasis on helping them to recognize the importance of actually taking care of themselves,” Dr. Bridges says.
The program offers multiple avenues for self-care. “We offer a lot of self-care courses that includes a combination of in-person or virtual groups. We offer the caregiver health and well-being coaching. This is where they receive one-to-one coaching to improve their well-being. It looks at their values, their needs, and honestly, they kind of based off the goals that they’re interested in working toward.”
Skill training is another component. “We also have resources for enhancing all caregivers’ health. Basically, this is a skill training that can be done individually or in groups that provides caregivers with resources for managing stress and then just encouraging self-care,” Dr. Bridges explains.
The program also connects caregivers with peer support and mental health resources. Beyond that, they work with other VA providers. “What’s coming to mind right now is just like physical therapy and occupational therapy,” Dr. Bridges says. “I know that there’s definitely global medical equipment that we can actually help connect them with to obtain to make things more manageable in the home. We basically just try to work collectively as a whole, to not only address it from our perspective but just connecting them with other providers that can actually address some of their concerns as well.”
Stories That Show Impact
The program’s impact shows up in transformed lives.
“Respite has made a tremendous impact on our caregivers,” Dr. Bridges says. “There’s so many different ways. For one, I’ve definitely been informed about one particular caregiver that never got an opportunity to leave the home to go to church, to socialize and whatnot. The respite actually allowed the caregiver an opportunity to do that, which made a tremendous impact on them.”
Financial stability is another life-changer. “Another one that I am aware of consists of this caregiver that’s caring for the loved one, having two teenage children, working. By actually getting approved with our program, it allowed her to financially be okay to where she was able to not have to juggle work, caring for the veteran, and her children. She was basically able to leave her job and sustain their entire family financially,” Dr. Bridges recounts.
Sometimes the program brings veterans home. “There was another veteran that was in a nursing home and his two daughters definitely, well, he didn’t want to be in a nursing home. They were approved in the program and it allowed him to actually return to his own home, where they actually provide care for him,” Dr. Bridges says. “That definitely speaks to how life-changing it can be not only for the caregivers but also for the veteran as well. So, he’s definitely happy to be back at home with his two daughters.”
Reaching Those Who Don’t Know
Outreach is critical for connecting with caregivers who don’t know help exists.
“We collaborate with local veteran organizations, community organizations, veteran service organizations to spread the awareness about our program,” Dr. Bridges explains. “We also participate in community events like health fairs, veteran-focused activities to share information as well about our program and our resources. These partnerships help us connect with caregivers in places that they already frequent and trust.”
The program sends newsletters to enrolled caregivers about upcoming activities and educational content. Staff also educate other VA providers about the program and how to refer veterans and caregivers.
“With these combined outreach strategies and collaboration actually help us connect with caregivers who might not otherwise know about the support that’s available to them so that they can actually have an opportunity to get engaged,” Dr. Bridges says.
The Reward and the Weight
The work brings both fulfillment and emotional challenge.
“What I find most rewarding about working with the caregiver support program is hearing about the positive impact the program and support our staff provides has to the caregivers,” Dr. Bridges says. “Knowing that we can help reduce their feelings of stress, isolation, provide caregivers with the resources that they’re needing, definitely makes it fulfilling for me. Hearing about the stories, how they’ve accessed the service, how respite has been helpful, or simply someone who listens has made a difference.”
But the hardest part is hearing their struggles. “The hardest part is learning about the struggles, the stress that they actually endure, especially when they feel overwhelmed and unsupported,” she admits. “It can be difficult to learn of caregivers feeling exhausted, experiencing anxiety and whatnot. So, sometimes despite our best efforts, we can’t immediately alleviate the burdens and that in itself can be challenging.”
She reminds herself of what matters. “But I kind of remind myself that even small steps toward support and relief can make a meaningful difference in their lives, which keeps me motivated,” Dr. Bridges says.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Bridges has clear goals for the program’s future.
“Looking ahead, my goal is to strengthen and expand caregiver awareness of the caregiver support program services across VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System,” she says. “We will continue to work toward enhancing outreach efforts to ensure more caregivers know about the supports available to them, especially those who may feel isolated or unaware of the resources that they qualify for.”
Collaboration is key. “Additionally, I aim to foster stronger collaboration with community organizations, veteran groups, health care providers to create a more integrated support network, just to make sure that they’re connected,” Dr. Bridges adds.
What Veterans Day Means
For someone who supports both veterans and their caregivers daily, Veterans Day carries deep significance.
“Veterans Day holds a deep personal significance for me because it’s the time to honor and recognize the sacrifices, bravery, and dedication of our veterans,” Dr. Bridges says. “As someone who supports both veterans and their families daily, I see firsthand the challenges they face and the strength they demonstrate.”
It’s more than one day. “For me, Veterans Day is a reminder to express gratitude for their service and reflect on the importance of providing meaningful support and care, not just on this day, but every day,” she explains. “It’s also a moment to acknowledge the families and caregivers who stand beside veterans offering their unwavering support and love.”
For caregivers across VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System who feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure where to turn, there is help. The Caregiver Support Line can be reached at 615-225-5853, where staff will answer questions and help connect them with services. For the caregivers who serve, it matters that someone finally sees them too.
Resources for Veterans & Healthcare Professionals
VA Healthcare & Patient Care Services
- VA Health Care Enrollment: How To Apply For VA Health Care | Veterans Affairs
- My HealtheVet: Home – My HealtheVet – My HealtheVet
- Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 | Text 838255
Caregiver Support Services
- Caregiver Support Line: 615-225-5853
- VA Caregiver Support Program: VA Caregiver Support Program Home
- Program of General Caregiver Support Services: Contact local VA
- Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers: Contact local VA
Mental Health & Wellness Support
- Vet Centers: Find VA Locations | Veterans Affairs
- National Center for PTSD: PTSD: National Center for PTSD Home
- Mental Health Services for Caregivers: Available through Caregiver Support Program
Respite Care & Additional Resources
- Respite Care Services: Contact Caregiver Support Program
- Caregiver Training: Required for program enrollment
- Peer Support and Coaching: Available to enrolled caregivers
VA Careers & Employment
- VA Careers: VA Careers
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Careers: Work With Us | VA Tennessee Valley Health Care | Veterans Affairs
Connect with Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System: VA Tennessee Valley Health Care | Veterans Affairs
- Caregiver Support Program: Contact through main TVHS line or 615-225-5853
About Dr. Ledetra Bridges
Dr. Ledetra Bridges serves as Program Manager of the Caregiver Support Program at VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. With a doctorate in public health from Jackson State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work, she brings both academic expertise and personal understanding to her role, having witnessed her mother care for her grandmother as a teenager. She began her VA career in Seattle with the HUD-VASH program before joining Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, where she has served for two years, with six months in her current leadership role. Her mission is to ensure caregivers have the resources, education, and emotional support they need to care for their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being.
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