Military and Veteran caregivers, 14.3 million of them, are integral to America’s healthcare system, providing critical support to service members and Veterans while contributing an estimated $400 billion in unpaid care annually. Yet these caregivers carry enormous burdens — financial strain, emotional exhaustion, and systemic neglect — that quietly erode their health, their stability, and their ability to keep showing up.
The partnership between Maximus and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation demonstrates a scalable, evidence-driven approach to addressing this national challenge. By implementing human-centered design, leveraging technology and data analytics, and aligning with federal policy – including the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act – the partnership strengthens caregiver resilience, improves health outcomes among service members and Veterans, and streamlines caregiver access to critical services.
This partnership highlights how strategic collaboration can create measurable improvements in caregiver support.
Challenge
The caregivers of service members and Veterans face complex challenges. About one-third live at or near the poverty line, frequently giving up careers, education, or retirement savings to provide full-time care. Emotional and mental health challenges are widespread, with many experiencing anxiety, depression, or social isolation, with lack of access to mental health and respite services.
Approximately 40 percent of these caregivers are raising young children, many of whom assist with caregiving tasks, which sometimes leads to missed school and a higher risk for behavioral challenges. Also, caregivers are largely absent from the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) when service members are transitioning around of miliary service, as well as care planning alongside healthcare professionals, even though they manage medications, appointments, and day-to-day care coordination. This systemic invisibility increases stress, contributes to preventable care breakdowns, and drives long-term health and financial consequences for caregivers, their care recipients, and the healthcare system.
Approach
Maximus and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation employ a human-centered, whole-health approach to caregiver support, integrating policy, technology, and community engagement. Caregivers are treated as co-creators, providing feedback that informs the design of programs, workflows, and technology solutions. This approach ensures interventions reflect real-world needs—from daily routines to crisis management.
Data from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation RAND Study, surveys, and sentiment analysis inform the identification of caregiver stress points and engagement priorities.
Impact
The partnership focuses on delivering meaningful improvements for caregivers, service members, and veterans, as well as the healthcare system. For example, caregivers report increased satisfaction when formally recognized as part of care teams. Predictive analytics and other data-driven interventions allow agencies to proactively address caregiver needs, optimize resource allocation, and reduce preventable care breakdowns.
This partnership demonstrates that investing in caregivers is both a moral and strategic imperative, delivering measurable improvements in healthcare delivery, community resilience, and national wellbeing.
For more information on Maximus federal health programs and caregiver support initiatives, visit Maximus.com/federal-government or ElizabethDoleFoundation.org.
Monica Rosser, Executive Managing Director, Federal Health of Maximus, will be speaking at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation 11th Annual National Convening on the Fostering Supportive Ecosystems: Caregiver Integrated Care panel. The National Convening will be held on Tuesday, May 19th at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Registration is now open at 11th Annual National Convening - The Elizabeth Dole Foundation.