When discussing care plans, it’s important to understand the slight but crucial differences. That is because there is a nursing care plan, which is a form summarizing the needs of an individual receiving health care and recommended support.
A nursing care plan is similar to a family care plan in many ways, but they are not the same.
What is a Family Care Plan?
A family care plan is a military document that ensures your family is taken care of in your absence. It’s designed for service members with special conditions like having a spouse, minors aged 19 years and below, or other dependents.
The document is made up of instructions that appoint a guardian to take care of your family members when you’re deployed or recalled for other military duties.
Basically, the family care plan acts as a protective measure for service members, ensuring their dependents’ security in their absence.
Benefits of Creating a Family Care Plan
A family care plan is certainly beneficial for yourself and your dependents. Some of these benefits include:
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Offers Reassurance
A family care plan is reassuring to the service member as they leave their family behind. The document outlines procedures for the care of the dependents, including a designated caregiver.
Knowing that you’ve set things in place to ensure your loved ones are provided for gives you the peace of mind needed to focus on your military obligations. It’s also a way for the military to limit the stress and anxiety that may arise when the service member is uncertain regarding the situation their family is in.
The reassuring factor isn’t for the soldier alone. Their dependents need to know that they will be okay during the period the service member will be away. Deployment is usually a stressful time for family members.
A family care plan assures the family that someone will step in to address their needs.
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Provides Legal Safety
When you are away on a deployment, anything can happen behind you, and whatever instructions you may have left may not be followed.
The FCP legally protects the instructions it contains, which removes misunderstandings and disputes regarding the form of care your family is entitled to.
During the FCP preparation, you are required to discuss the welfare of your family with the appointed guardian or caregiver and outline the rights and responsibilities your family is entitled to in your absence.
While the family care plan is not a legal document that can override other legal measures, it offers certain legal protections, provided there are no contradictory court proceedings.
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Provides Financial Safety
Financial safety is one of the biggest concerns for service members going away for an extended period. You may worry that your dependents may not receive adequate financial support in your absence.
The family care plan makes provisions to cater to your family’s monetary needs. It also prevents issues that may arise out of miscalculations or miscommunication. The document can include important financial information regarding accounts and lifetime investments like insurance policies.
With detailed instructions on your family care plan, financial decisions like paying off mortgages and insurance premiums can continue without a hitch.
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Facilitates Continued Care
Another problem your family may face in your absence is a disruption in the form of care they need. In the case of minors and ill dependents, inconsistent care as a result of your absence can be harmful. These groups of people are usually incapable of self-care.
A family care plan eliminates the issue of inconsistent care since it outlines specific instructions for the appointed caregiver. It can help maintain the routine your family is used to, which ensures limited disruptions.
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Maintains Balance
FCP is recommended for every soldier in the army, including emergency-essential civilians with dependents. It’s also mandatory for specific groups of military service members, and failure to comply could result in disciplinary action.
The military created these guidelines to create a balance between family life and military obligations for service members.
Most people in military service need that balance to avoid compromising the duty that comes with their job description. As such, having a family care plan helps.
Final Thoughts
If you are a military service member with dependents, you should consider creating a family care plan, even if it’s not mandatory for you. It’s a way of ensuring the welfare of your loved ones in your absence, so having it makes more sense than not.
The benefits aren’t just for your family, though. Knowing things are fine at home will help you focus on your military duties.
