All features in this app, with the exception of the Assess
section, can be used without a DS Login account. The Assess section requires a
Premium (Level 2) DS Logon account so that access can be controlled. You can go
to the DoD Self-Service Access
Center (DEERS) to find out more information about DS Logon. Before you access
the app features, you must also complete a Right of Access (ROA) form and agree
to the End User License Agreement (EULA). You only need to sign one ROA form to
use any VA mobile application. The ROA form covers your request to receive your
information from VA systems. All apps require that you agree to a separate
EULA, and for web apps you will need to agree to the EULA on each device and
browser you use to access the app. If you need to complete either of these
documents they will be presented to you.
App functionality is shown in two menus: the App Options Menu
(menu icon in the upper left corner) and the User Menu (menu icon in the upper
right corner).
App Options menu: The app menu includes a
list of the features available, including:
User Menu: The user menu allows you
to manage your interaction with the app, and includes the following functions:
The Home feature allows you to return back to the app's home page.
If you have not logged in already, the home page also features a "Login" button
which allows you to log in so that you can navigate through all features of the
app.
The Learn feature allows you educate yourself about normal
reactions to caregiving responsibilities, opportunities to engage in self-care,
ways to build resilience and manage stress, and how to maintain good
relationships. The educational content is grouped into the following sections:
You may select any of the sections to review the different
subsections and content for each category.
The Assess feature allows you to self-assess your level of strain
using a validated measure, review your past results from the assessments over
the past six months, and schedule emails reminders about retaking the
assessment.
Note: You must log in before you can access this feature.
The Take Assessment feature allows you to self-assess your level
of strain by taking the 12-item Zarit Caregiver Assessment. It features a
series of statements that must be answered by selecting either
"Never", "Rarely", "Sometimes", "Quite
Frequently", or "Nearly Always". After submitting the assessment,
your results and recommendations are displayed. You may also set up email
reminders that remind you to take the assessment at a later time.
Once you start the assessment by selecting the "Begin" button on
the introduction screen, the questions are presented one at a time. You may
navigate among the questions using the following buttons:
Submit Assessment
After the assessment questions are completed, you will be provided
an option to submit your assessment. Submitted data is stored in the
self-entered database and the submitted assessments cannot be modified. Once
submitted, you will receive an assessment report that displays your results and
recommendations.
From the assessment report, you will also be allowed to set up
email reminders that remind you to retake the assessment after a specified
time. By selecting "Set Up Reminders", a modal will be displayed where you can
enter in your email address, specify your time zone, and specify when you would
like to retake the assessment (e.g. "Never", "One Week", "One Month", or "Three
Months").
After selecting "Schedule" on the bottom of the modal, you will
receive an email to remind you to retake the assessment according to the
selections made.
After the assessment report is displayed, you will be provided an
option to print the report. Selecting "Print" on the top right of the assessment
report allows you to print the assessment report using the print options
available in your browser or device.
Past Results
The Past Results feature on the Assess navigation menu allows you
to view your past results from the assessments taken over the past six months
in a table or graph format. You may also choose to email these results using
your device's email capability.
The Manage feature allows you to engage in self-management tools
for caregiver strain. These tools are grouped into the following categories:
Once you select any of the above sections, exercises are presented
one at a time. You may navigate among the exercises using the following
buttons:
Selecting the star icon (located next to the "Try Another" button)
in any of the Manage sections listed above allows you to mark that specific
exercise or tool as a favorite. Once marked as a favorite, you will be able to
access that tool from the Favorites section on the App Options menu. You may
also de-select the star icon to remove that tool as a favorite.
The Manage feature also contains a Plan a Social Activity section
that allows you to select an activity from a list and send email invitations to
another individual(s) to perform that activity with you.
After selecting the "Begin" button on the introduction page, a
list of activities are displayed. Selecting one of the activities opens your
device's default email window, which allows you to send an email to plan a
social activity with another individual(s).
Other features available are as follows:
If you have already taken an assessment using the Assess feature, the recommended tools that were given to you in the most recent assessment report will appear with an asterisk after the tool name, and the text "* Recommended by last assessment" will appear at the bottom of the Manage menu. However, you may select ANY of the sections to access the self-management tools and exercises in that section.
The Support feature provides caregiving community and personal
resources for your reference and has the following sections:
Note: The auto-dialing functionality is browser and device
dependent. You may have to manually dial the phone numbers provided to place a
call.
The Favorites feature allows you to view all the self-management
tools you've selected as your favorites, which are indicated by a gold star.
You may select any of the tools in your Favorites to view that tool or you may
remove the tool from your list of favorites by selecting the star icon, which
will also turn the star icon to grey.
Note: Selecting a favorite activity in the Plan a Social Activity
section will open your device's default email window, which allows you to send
an email to plan a social activity with another individual(s).
The About feature provides general information about the App,
including the version number, and a link to the End User License Agreement.
The Help feature provides support contact information and link to
this User Guide.
Note: The auto-dialing functionality is browser and device
dependent. You may have to manually dial the phone numbers provided to place a
call.
The Login/Logout feature allows you to enable or disable your
authentication session for ALL VA apps. Note that once you logout you
will need to login again to use any app and you will no longer see an indicator
that you are logged in at the bottom right of the app.
The Launchpad feature allows you to quickly access the apps
included on the VA Launchpad, including apps that you may not be aware of that
the VA is providing to help improve your health and healthcare.
Abbreviations provided in the
app are defined as follows:
Abbreviation |
Definition |
EULA |
End User License Agreement |
ROA |
Right of Access |