A Health Campaign of Uniformed Services University, www.usuhs.edu, and theCenter for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Bethesda, Maryland, www.CSTSonline.org

Military Families on the Move:
Tips for Keeping Your Family Healthy

Moving, one of the most stressful“goodbye” and getting resettled — itlife events, can be especially difficult
Moving, one of the most stressful life
is easy to forget your own or yourfor families when service members
family’s health check-ups and medical
events, can be especially difficult forare deploying or returning fromneeds. Equally as important is beingfamilies when service members are
deployment. Part of your checklist
prepared for any health emergency
before and after a move should be
while in transit should there be
deploying or returning from deployment.
attending to you and your family’s
unexpected delays or occurrences.
healthcare routines and needs.
Here is some practical advice toWith so many details demanding your attention —make your healthcare transition go more smoothly.
packing, scheduling movers, cleaning your old home, saying
Healthcare Tips as You Prepare to Move
■ Take advantage of all briefings related to your medical

and dental insurance including portability of TRICARE,
medical care en route to your new station, andtransportation of your medical records.
■ Request a summary of your medical records or any

important medications that your family members take.
This is especially important if you use civilian primarycare managers.
■ Birth certificates, immunization records, social security

cards, passports, naturalization and adoption papers (ifnecessary), school records, and copies of orders are allimportant documents to be sure to take with you rather
than ship.
■ Ask for extra refills of any important medications thatmust be taken regularly.
■ Set up any support services. For children with special

needs, call, obtain information, and, if possible, set up
support services at your new post before leaving.
■ Resume routine healthcare as soon as you arrive at

your destination, especially if you are pregnant or haveinfants or young children.
■ Become familiar with disaster or emergency issuesof importance in your new location (i.e., living in anarea prone to hurricanes or earthquakes). Disaster
preparedness enhances family safety and health.

■ Attend to the healthcare of household pets and makesure they have the required vaccinations for your move(some states require special things).
Arriving in Your New Community■ Write down and bring to your first doctor visit any

health-related questions or concerns about yourself ora family member to help your new doctors and nurses
understand your needs.
■ Recognize the normal stress of moving, but

communicate any unusual or prolonged symptoms
such as difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, problems
concentrating, or not enjoying things that normally give
you pleasure.
■ Seek out help if you or a family member is at risk for

substance abuse or family conflict that often start orworsen as the result of stressful events. Resources areavailable for you and your family.
■ Call or go online to Military OneSource to accessconfidential telephone and web-based services. Call
1-800-342-9647 to speak with a live counselor in any
language, or visit screening.mentalhealthscreening.
org/Military_NDSD to take a free, confidential mental
health self-assessment and to receive referrals to local
providers.