Letter: If Caregivers Are Strong, Veterans and Families Thrive

To the Editor: Attending the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Heroes & History Makers celebration in Washington, D.C., made me think about how many of us became caregivers long before we ever used that word. I care for my father, a U.S. Army veteran living with Parkinson’s, dementia, and memory loss. He cared for my mom through her cancer battle, and after she passed, we moved to New Hampshire to be closer as a family. When his diagnosis came in 2021, I shifted from daughter to caregiver — a transition that brings pride, grief, and countless daily challenges.

Becoming a Dole Caregiver Fellow helped me find my footing. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation connected me with other caregivers who understood what I was facing and provided resources I didn’t know existed. EDF gave me confidence to ask for help, advocate for my dad, and take care of my own wellbeing so I can continue caring for him with patience and dignity.

New Hampshire is full of hidden caregivers just like me — spouses, parents, children, siblings, and neighbors who may not realize they belong to this community. I hope they find the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s support, because when caregivers are strengthened, our veterans and families thrive.

By Pattie Cullum
2025 New Hampshire Dole Caregiver Fellow

Originally published in the New Hampshire Union Leader