The Veteran Family Guide
Clear, practical support for families navigating PTSD and chronic illness while caring for an aging veteran
I’m Dr. Julie Von—NYC clinician, author, and educator. I write and teach about how combat trauma and untreated PTSD ripple through the nervous system, the household, and long-term family health—especially as parents age and chronic illness enters the picture.
A 90-Second Reset for Caregivers
When you’re in that “I can’t think” moment:
Put one hand on your chest and one on your belly.
Exhale longer than you inhale (in 4, out 6) for 6 rounds.
Name 5 neutral things you can see (lamp, mug, door, etc.).
Ask: “What is the next smallest doable step?”
This doesn’t solve the system — it helps your body re-enter choice.
Start Here Resources
3-Minute Quick Start
If you’re caring for an aging veteran while navigating PTSD and chronic illness—
Choose one support doorway: VA Caregiver, a VSO or a local service. START a one-page “care map” diagnoses, meds, providers, baseline symptoms, and what a “bad day” looks like.
Pick one nervous system anchor for you: A 90-Second reset you’ll actually do!
• VA Caregiver Support — caregiver coordinators, programs, and guidance
• PCAFC (Family Caregiver Program) — eligibility and caregiver support options
• Find a VA-accredited representative / VSO — help with claims and benefits navigation
• National Center for PTSD (Families & Friends) — education designed for loved ones
• Eldercare Locator — local respite and aging services
• Caregiver Action Network — peer support and caregiver education
• Family Caregiver Alliance — care strategies and caregiver wellbeing
Note: I’m an educator and clinician. I’m not acting as a VA claims representative unless explicitly stated. For benefits claims, work with a VA-accredited representative or VSO.
When to Get Urgent Help
If your loved one is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number or contact Veteranscrisisline.net
If you’re worried about suicide risk, severe withdrawal, or escalating violence, don’t handle it alone.
Dr. Julie Von is a New York City clinician, author, and educator specializing in intergenerational trauma, PTSD, and the ways chronic stress reshapes the nervous system and long-term health in families.
She is the daughter of a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran—an airborne infantry Ranger and retired Lieutenant Colonel—whose severe PTSD went undertreated for decades and was formally recognized by the VA late in his life. Born at West Point near the end of her father’s military service, Julie grew up inside the realities many veteran families quietly carry: heightened startle response, disrupted sleep and sleep apnea, hearing loss, and the household-wide ripple effects of untreated combat trauma.
Her father passed away in September 2024 and is scheduled to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in spring 2026. Julie has practiced Classical Chinese Medicine and acupuncture in New York City for over 20 years. Her mission is to expand trauma-informed support for veteran families—because caring for veterans means caring for the families who carry the homefront, too.
About Dr. Julie Von.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND HERE
• PTSD-aware caregiving: what helps when the nervous system stays on high alert
• Chronic illness + aging: how to reduce overwhelm when care becomes long-haul
• Family impact: how untreated PTSD affects spouses, partners, and children—emotionally and physically
• Nervous system tools: grounded practices for caregivers living in hypervigilance and burnout
• Advocacy that’s usable: what to track, what to ask, and how to get support without collapsing
