Tuesday is Veterans Day, a date set aside each year to honor those who have served our nation on the anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in World War I on Nov., 11, 1918. It also happens to fall in the midst of National Family Caregivers Month, a more recently established recognition of who serve the needs of their loved ones.

Those two events make this time of year particularly poignant for caregivers of veterans, and in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Line will be hosting “live” brief meditation activities via telephone throughout the month of November.

The VA describes the program as “a great opportunity to take 10 minutes out of your busy schedules to focus on relaxing your mind and your body. … Please join us in these activities as we honor you, the Caregivers of our nation’s Veterans.”

Every Wednesday at 8 a.m., 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, caregivers are invited to call toll free 1-800-767-1750. When prompted, enter access code 73687 then press the # key. Then, sit back, relax, and let a Caregiver Support Line social worker guide you through a brief activity to help restore your balance. Registration is not required.

The VA’s Caregiver Support Line facilitates monthly telephone education groups for family caregivers of veterans with a theme of “Care for the Caregiver.” A different topic is presented every month with the goal of helping caregivers develop tools and strategies to help balance the demands of caregiving, while also focusing on the importance of self-care. Topics include “Focusing on the Forgotten … ME,” “Goodbye to Going It Alone: Learning to Ask for Help,” and “Safe Haven: Building on Family Strength.” These groups are available to any family caregiver currently caring for a veteran enrolled in VA healthcare. Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare who are caring for a loved one at home are also eligible to participate.

To listen to an audio recording of one of these presentations, please visit www.caregiver.va.gov. For more information or to register for a group, please contact your local Caregiver Support Coordinator. To find your local Caregiver Support Coordinator or for more information, tips, and tools to support you in your role as the family Caregiver of a Veteran, please visit the VA’s website dedicated to Caregivers, www.caregiver.va.gov.