Source: VA Press Advisory of October 30, 2025 The current government shutdown has forced nearly 37,000 VA employees to be furloughed or continue to work without pay. Because VA receives some advance appropriations from Congress, the Department’s Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers remain open and in operation normally during the shutdown. Additionally, VA benefits continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits. Burials also continue at VA national

Last week, BVA Happenings referenced National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM). Every November, VA participates in recognizing and honoring the invaluable contributions of caregivers across the country. The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) highlights the vital role caregivers play in the lives of veterans with the theme: Caregiving Connects Us, Community Strengthens Us. This year’s theme reflects CSP’s commitment to ensuring caregivers know they are supported and never walk this path alone. Caregiving may look different for every

The quantity of informational resources about caregiving in all its realms has exploded in recent years. VA resources are valuable, but there are others as well. During this National Family Caregivers Month, BVA members and their caregivers can check out several caregiving resource guides from AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons. AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 years and older to choose how they

BVA members and their families undoubtedly know, perhaps as well as any demographic, that vision changes affect nearly every aspect of life. The impact is often compounded when the loss is gradual and associated with age after a lifetime of being able to see. Changes in the people with sight loss range from how surroundings are navigated to how they feel emotionally. These effects, in turn, can impact strongly on the lives of spouses, children,