Veteran Doctor

Veteran Doctor - Episode 20 - 11 Interesting Facts About Veterans

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the TWENTIETH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's episode, we will discuss 11 Interesting Facts about Veterans. We will also have our Veteran News, so stick around for some great stuff ahead in our program!

A big day for all veterans is a day called Veterans Day. What is veteran’s day? Some people do not know (believe it or not). So here you go! Veterans Day (once known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the U.S., observed annually on November 11th to honor military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It coincides with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which celebrates the ending of World War I. World War I formally came to an end on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918 when Armistice with Germany finally went into effect. Armistice Day was renamed to Veterans Day in 1954. Veterans Day is a distinctly different holiday from Memorial Day, which is celebrated in May. Veterans Day celebrates the service of veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who had died and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Here are eleven interesting facts about veterans. Beyond everything veterans do to keep our nation safe, they have sacrificed long periods of time away from family and friends. Please remember these facts for this upcoming holiday and share them with friends, family, and anyone who would appreciate this information.

 

1. Veterans are individuals who have served in the military (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) in war or peacetime.

 

2. As of 2019, 12,987 living veterans served all through World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

 

3. Veterans Day is observed on November 11th, the same day that World War I ended. Initially known as Armistice Day before being renamed as Veterans Day in 1954.

 

4. Veterans Day pays tribute to all veterans. Memorial Day pays homage to those who lost their lives in combat.

 

5. In 2017, there were about 1.9 million female veterans in the U.S.

 

6. In 2017, the largest living cohort of male veterans served during the Vietnam War era, while the largest living cohort of female veterans served during the post-9/11 period.

 

7. As of 2019, the states with the highest veteran populations are California (1.56 million), Texas (1.46 million), and Florida (1.44 million).

 

8. The overall unemployment rate for veterans who served post-9/11 was 3.5% (2018) — the lowest recorded rate since 2008.

 

9. As of 2019, 11.7 million veterans are over 65, which is about 61% of all veterans.

 

10. Veterans make up roughly 11% of adults experiencing homelessness.

 

11. 70% of veterans experiencing homelessness also experience substance abuse, and 50% live with mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

You are probably wondering why I am sharing these facts with you. Well, we are in the business of helping veterans in our local community. Staying informed and knowledgeable is the best way to help veterans. This information is the beginning step in making us think about what we can do to get out to help our fellow veterans this Veterans Day. What can we do as an organization? What can you do as an individual? It is just a thought that intimately will make us better as a community. Anyway, hopefully, this information was helpful. Some people may call this useless information, while others call it useful. I have another acronym for this type of information; UBI (Useful Bit of Information). Enjoy!

Veteran Doctor - Episode 19 - Helping Veteran Ideas.

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the NINETEENTH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's episode, we will discuss Helping Veteran Ideas. We will also continue our fun facts of UBI (Useful Bits of Information) and Veteran News, so stick around for the program!

Hello fellow veterans! I hope everyone is doing well during these challenging times we are in with the COVID-19 quarantine. It seems like we have been experiencing issues for a while now with no light at the end of the tunnel. I guess you can say we are establishing a new normal for our way of life. Who knows!? Anyway, I want to talk about help veterans today! We always discuss this at our meetings, and our primary mission as an organization is to help veterans within our community. I think we do an outstanding job at this! However, what do we do as individuals? If you would like to show some gratitude for the sacrifices made and support veterans, there are many ways to make it happen. Sometimes even a small gesture can have a significant impact. Our veterans have many needs and challenges because of their military service, and they can use support and assistance in various ways that may not always be obvious. It is just a thought, and it does not take much to devote a little time to help a fellow veteran out. Here are some ideas. (NOTE: I realize some of these ideas do not comply with current COVID-19 quarantine restrictions. So please use with caution and be safe). Some of these ideas may have to wait till after all of this COVID-19 stuff calms down.

1. Pick up the tab for a Veteran's coffee or meal. The next time you see a veteran in a restaurant or standing in line for coffee, pick up the tab. You can do so anonymously if you would prefer, but even a quick "thank you for your service" would mean a lot to the veteran. You don't have to limit yourself to dinner or a latte—you could pay for a tank of gas, a prescription, or a cart of groceries.

2. Show you, support Veterans, by Providing Transportation. One way to support veterans in your local area is to provide necessary transportation to get to medical and mental health treatment appointments. The VA has a volunteer transportation network that allows volunteers to donate their time and/or the use of their vehicles for veterans in need. Donated vehicles may also be used or accepted by the program.

3. Visit Wounded Vets in a Nearby VA Facility. Another great way to show that you support veterans is to pay a visit to wounded vets at a VA facility near you. These injured veterans may not have many visitors to brighten their day. Once you find the nearest VA facility, contact the staff, and find out if you can arrange a visit. The staff may be able to identify veterans who would benefit the most from a visit.

4. Say Thank You and Mean It. One of the easiest ways to support veterans is a simple thank you, as long as it is heartfelt and sincere. A simple act of gratitude for everything that the veteran faced and gave up seems like such a small thing, but it is something that American veterans do not hear as often as they should. These two words can brighten even a lousy day for a veteran because you acknowledge their service.In particular, saying, “Welcome home. Thank you for your service” to Vietnam veterans can have a substantial emotional impact on them since Vietnam era veterans did not experience even the lip-service support from American society that today’s veterans receive.

5. Fight Homelessness, Eviction, and Foreclosure among Veterans. If you support veterans, then you realize that many veterans face foreclosure, eviction, and homelessness. You can volunteer with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, donate your time and effort to Homes for Our Troops, or even provide financial assistance to veteran organizations to prevent the eviction of a military family.

6. Perform Home Repairs or Household Chores for a Veteran in Need. One terrific way to support veterans is to perform home repairs or household chores for a veteran in need. Many veterans in your area may need help with household chores or home repairs because of a disability, a severe injury, or even a lack of financial resources. When you help out in this way, you will gain an incredible sense of satisfaction while helping repay a veteran who deserves it.

7. Donate your Time to a Veteran Organization. There are other ways to support veterans, even if you do not have special skills or a lot of knowledge in-home repair. You can volunteer with a veteran organization and make a difference. These organizations depend on volunteers to keep costs down. Clerical work, answering phones, organizing, and stepping in to help with menial work can make an enormous difference. The National Veteran Foundation welcomes volunteers of all ages and skill levels at our offices in Los Angeles.

8. Replace one light bulb in your home with a green one. The Greenlight a Vet project is a simple way to remind yourself and others about the sacrifice veterans have made for our country and to show your appreciation to them. Simply purchase a green bulb and place it somewhere in your home—a porch lamp is ideal since it's most visible to others. Over 9 million people across the nation have logged their green lights into the project's nationwide map so far.

9. Volunteer your Services to Help Vets in Need. If you do have special skills that you can offer, whether these are IT skills, tax preparation training, or medical training, then you can support veterans by providing your skills free of charge. You will be able to use your knowledge and training to help veterans who need these skills right now and who may have limited financial resources to pay for this type of assistance.

11. Write a letter to thank a veteran. Operation Gratitude is an organization that coordinates care packages, gifts, and letters of thanks to veterans. You can work through them to send your appreciation to a vet or volunteer to help assemble care packages. And, if you still have candy kicking around from Halloween, Operation Gratitude also mails sweets to deployed troops.
12. Spend Time with a Vet and Take the Time to Listen. One way that you can give something back to a veteran who was willing to sacrifice everything is to spend time with them and listen to them. Many veterans end up socially isolated, and this can have a negative effect on their mental and physical health. Get to know veterans in your area and spend time with them so that they have social opportunities and do not end up isolated.
13. Provide Food for Veterans. Many veterans are hungry, and a home-cooked meal will provide them with much-needed nutrition. Even vets that are not lacking food will benefit from a meal or a homemade batch of cookies. It shows them that someone cares. Contact your local church or veteran organization to see who might appreciate your culinary delights. Feed Our Vets is an organization that specializes in feeding hungry veteran families.

13. Get involved with a Veterans assistance program. There are veterans in your community that could use help—but how do you find them? Contact a local veterans assistance program, such as the one offered by DAV. They'll be able to put you in touch with local vets who need help doing chores like yard work, housework, grocery shopping, or running errands.

14. Help Veterans with job training. Adjusting to civilian life after military service isn't always smooth sailing. Hire Heroes helps vets with interview skills, resumes, and training so they can find a post-military career. They even partner with various employers to host a job board. Through Hire Heroes, you can help veterans with mock interviews, career counseling, job searches, workshops, and more.

15. Help build a house for a Veteran. Building Homes for Heroes builds or modifies homes to suit the needs of veterans injured in Iraq or Afghanistan. The houses are given mortgage-free to veterans and their families. You can volunteer your painting, carpentry, plumbing, wiring, and other skilled services—or you can just donate to the cause.

16. Volunteer for an "Operation Reveille" or “Stand Down” event for homeless veterans. The VA continually hosts Operation Reveille or Stand Down, a series of one- to three-day events that give much-needed supplies and services to homeless veterans. Vets can receive everything from food and clothing to health screenings, housing solutions, substance abuse treatment, and mental health counseling. They take place at various places across the nation all year long, so contact the representative in your state about when and how you can volunteer.

17. Visit a Vet with your Pet. It is a well-known fact that animals provide emotional and physical benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in people with a range of health problems.” Dogs are the most commonly used for therapy and service dogs. A well-behaved dog can receive certification and be able to bring some affection and calmness into a vet’s life.

18. Send a care package. In addition to helping people send care packages to active duty members, Operation Gratitude’s “Welcome Home Heroes” initiative sends care packages to veterans. “Just as with our care packages to deployed troops, we want to put a smile on the face of every veteran who courageously served our nation,” says Operation Gratitude’s founder Carolyn Blashek on the organization’s website. Veteran care packages can include many of the items sent to active-duty troops, including personal letters of thanks, snacks, books, magazines, and hygiene items.

So, this list is not inclusive by any means. Please add to it and be creative in your ways to give back to Veterans in our community. They will appreciate it, just as you did when you received something in the past. Believe it or not, it is also just as therapeutic for you to help and give to other veterans.

Veteran Doctor - Episode 18 - MVP (Merging Vets & Players)

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the EIGHTEENTH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's episode, we have some special guests who are visiting today to discuss MVP (Merging Vets and Players)! So stick around for some really exciting stuff.

History of MVP:  Jay Glazer has spent years working with warriors from the ring and the gridiron, many of these men and women have also struggled to apply their skills beyond their field of battle. As part-owner of Unbreakable Performance Center he dedicates time to train elite athletes from all sports in addition to hosting Bellator MMA fights on Paramount Network and various shows for NFL on FOX.

Nate Boyer is a U.S. Army Green Beret Veteran and former NFL athlete who played with the Seattle Seahawks. Living both lives as a veteran and former professional athlete, he brings years of paralleled experience of our members of the loss of identity, purpose, and community. He also hosts Indivisible, a documentary series highlight the communities in football cities.

MVP was created to leverage Jay and Nate’s unique role at the crossroads of all of these warriors. By merging veterans with players, these warriors can benefit from each other's strengths, experience and abilities to unlock their full potential - and lead their families, communities and country towards a better future. Merging Vets and Players ensures these men and women know that the challenges they are facing are far more about who they are - Warriors - than what they did in the military or on the field. In reality, that is a title that no one can ever take from you. 

Mission Statement? MVP empowers combat veterans and former professional athletes by connecting them after the uniform comes off; providing them with a new team to assist with transition, promote personal development, and show them they are never alone.

 

Veteran Doctor - Episode 17 - America’s Veteran Population is Changing

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the SEVENTEENTH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's episode, we will discuss how America’s Veteran Population is Changing. We will also continue our fun facts of UBI (Useful Bits of Information) and Veteran News, so stick around for the program!

Hello fellow veterans. I hope all is well, and everyone is staying safe in these challenging times. It has been a while since we have last discussed any topics. I have been surfing for some different and interesting ones to discuss, and I found one on the changing face of the veteran population that I think you might find interesting. I hope you enjoy it.

There were around 20.4 million U.S. veterans as of 2016, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This represents less than 10% of the total U.S. adult population. I have included some key facts about those who have served in the military and how this population is slowly changing and represented within the American population.

1) Gulf War-era veterans now account for the largest share of all U.S. veterans. This surpasses the Vietnam-era veterans as of 2016, according to Veterans Affairs’ 2016 population model estimates. There were 6.8 million American veterans who served during the Vietnam era and 7.1 million who served in the Gulf War era, which spans from August 1990 to the present day. (Some veterans served through both eras.) There were also around 771,000 World War II veterans and 1.6 million who served during the Korean conflict, according to VA estimates. About three-quarters (77%) of veterans in 2016 served during wartime, and 23% only served during peacetime.

2) The share of the U.S. population with military experience is declining. As of 2016, 7% of U.S. adults were veterans, which is down from 18% in 1980, according to the National Census Bureau. This drop coincides with decreases in active duty personnel due to military downsizing. Over the past half-century, the number of people on active duty has dropped significantly, from 3.5 million in 1968, during the draft era, to 1.3 million (or less than 1% of all U.S. adults) in today’s all-volunteer force. The military draft ended in 1973. VA projections suggest the number of veterans will continue to decline in the coming decades. By 2045, the department estimates there will be around 12 million veterans, a roughly 40% decrease from current numbers. By that time, Gulf War-era veterans are projected to make up a majority of veterans.

3) The demographic profile of veterans is expected to change in the next few decades. As of 2016, nine-in-ten veterans (91%) are men while 9% are women, according to the VA’s 2016 population model estimates. By 2045, the share of female veterans is expected to double to 18%. The number of female veterans is also projected to increase, from around 1.9 million in 2016 to 2.2 million in 2045. Male veterans, on the other hand, are projected to drop by almost half, from 18.5 million in 2016 to 9.8 million in 2045. Projections also indicate that the veteran population will become slightly younger by 2045, with 33% of veterans more youthful than 50 (compared with 27% in 2016), even as the overall U.S. population continues to age. The share of veterans ages 50 to 69 is expected to shrink from 39% to 33%, while the percentage of those 70 and older is predicted to be around a third of the total (34%) by 2045, similar to the current share. As with trends in the U.S. population overall, the veteran population is predicted to become more racially and ethnically diverse. Between 2016 and 2045, the share of veterans who are non-Hispanic white is expected to drop from 77% to 64%. The percentage of Hispanic veterans is expected to nearly double from 7% to 13%, while the share who are black is likely to increase from 12% to 16%.

4) Fewer members of Congress have prior military experience than in the past. As the share of Americans who are veterans has declined, so has the percentage of Congress members who have previously served in the military. In the current Congress, 20% of senators and 19% of representatives had prior military service, down drastically from just a few decades ago. The share of senators who are veterans reached a post-Korean War peak of 81% in 1975, while the percentage among House members peaked in 1967 at 75%. However, there are signs more veterans could run for office in the future.

5) The Department of Veterans Affairs receives a low favorability rating. While the public expresses favorable views of many federal agencies, the VA received the lowest rating among ten agencies and departments in a Pew Research Center survey earlier this year. Roughly half of U.S. adults (49%) had a favorable view of the VA, and 34% expressed an unfavorable view. As with all the agencies and departments in the survey, there were partisan differences. Republicans and Republican-leaning independents expressed lower favorability for the VA (40%) than Democrats and Democratic leaners (60%). Americans continue to see veterans’ services as an essential priority.

Veteran Doctor - Episode 16 - Veteran Specific Health Issues

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the SIXTEENTH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's podcast, we will discuss Veteran Specific Health Issues. We will also continue our fun facts of UBI (Useful Bits of Information) and Veteran News, so stick around for the program!

Hello, fellow veterans! I hope everyone is doing well now that we have been living with COVID for over a year now. Who would have thought this type of thing would come to our society, or world, and make such an impact as it has today? Well, with all of these health-related challenges, what a perfect opportunity to discuss the challenges that veterans face daily that are health-related. Some of you are familiar, some maybe not so knowledgeable, but it is always good to stay up-to-date so that we can help other veterans through their challenges.

Mental health or behavioral adjustment disorders

Medical records of veterans reveal that one in three patients have been diagnosed with at least one mental health disorder – 41% were diagnosed with either mental health or a behavioral adjustment disorder. In compensation or combination with military-related diseases, many veterans develop substance use disorders (SUDs), and a large number ultimately commit suicide. Also, the research found that male veterans diagnosed with depression, manic-depressive disorder, heavy or binge drinking, and alcohol-related problems were significantly associated with an increased risk of suicide. Thus, identifying and treating mental health illness has the most significant potential to mitigate suicide risk. Unfortunately, reluctance to seek help or treatment makes diagnosing and treating mental illness difficult in this population.

SUDs

The stressors of military service increase the risk of veterans having problems with alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are higher among veterans than non-military personnel. For some veterans, treatment of a co-morbid condition (e.g., PTSD, depression, pain, insomnia) may resolve the problem.

PTSD

Also known as "shell shock" or "combat fatigue," PTSD results from witnessing or experiencing (directly or indirectly) a traumatic event. PTSD is a combination of symptoms, severity, and duration. Diagnosis is based upon four symptom categories: intrusive symptoms (flashbacks), avoidance of reminders (isolation), negative thoughts and feelings ("no one can be trusted"), and arousal and reactivity symptoms (exaggerated startle response). PTSD is often associated with "traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST), sleep problems, substance use, pain, and other psychiatric disorders, and requires comprehensive assessment." Treatment is aimed at therapy (psychotherapy, prolonged exposure therapy, family/group therapy, and others), social support, and/or medication such as antidepressants.

TBI

TBI is a traumatically induced structural injury and/or physiological disruption of brain function due to an external force. TBI can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the length of unconsciousness, memory loss/disorientation, and responsiveness of the individual following the event (i.e., are they able to follow commands). While mild TBI (or concussion) is the most common, diagnosis is difficult since symptoms include headaches, dizziness/problems walking, fatigue, irritability, memory problems, and problems paying attention.

Depression

Among the available data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), depression ranks among the most common mental health disorders. The diagnosis rate for veteran depression is 14% (although NAMI believes depression is under-diagnosed). Notably, NAMI found that individuals with PTSD were less likely to commit suicide versus those with depression, probably due to the increased awareness and acceptance of PTSD. Despite its devastating effects, major depression is a treatable illness with 80%–90% success rate using medication, psychotherapy, and/or electroconvulsive therapy.

Suicide

With 18 to 22 veterans committing suicide daily, risk assessment and intervention are paramount. Private and public health care professionals must be aware of patients' military history (since not all veterans seek care in VA clinics) and be able to recognize suicide-risk factors, regardless of age. Young veterans aged 18–44 years are most at risk of suicide; yet, it has been found that even older veterans, aged 50 years and older, were still almost twice as likely to commit suicide versus non-veterans (69% and 37%, respectively). Additionally, 11% of veterans who survive a first suicide attempt will reattempt within nine months, and 6% of those will die. Evidence has been discovered supporting the efficacy of VA health care systems in lowering veterans' non-fatal suicide attempt rates. Thus, referral to a VA facility is recommended for appropriate counseling and health services.

Chronic pain

With 82% of OEF and OIF veterans reporting chronic pain, diagnosis and treatment are essential. A comprehensive assessment of pain is crucial and identifies associated physiological/biological and psychological factors since chronic physical pain is often associated with co-morbid conditions, including TBI and PTSD, that may complicate treatment. Treatment should focus on concurrently addressing all needs, with extreme cautionary use of opioids due to the heightened risk of veterans developing SUDs.

Amputations

Advancement in medical technology and bodily protection allows soldiers to survive injuries at a higher rate than in previous wars. Yet, the scars from a traumatic amputation are deep, and many soldiers develop mental health injuries related to the event, and in cases involving multiple limb amputations or disfigurement, body image issues may create various social and employment barriers. Health care professionals must be able to address these barriers and the emotional health of the veteran. Sensory aids, prostheses, and medical rehabilitation require an interdisciplinary team approach to healing wounded soldiers.

Rehabilitation care

Many veterans have a hard time reacclimating into society after deployment due to military skills that are not transferrable to civilian life, bodily trauma that renders them individually handicapped, and/or war-related mental disease. Rehabilitation care is aimed at balancing vocational, physical, social, and mental therapies to prepare veterans for re-entry into civilian life. Vocational programs help job-seeking veterans develop the skills and knowledge required for a particular job. Physical rehabilitation focuses on improving veterans' quality of life and independence. Social rehabilitation assists veterans to assimilate to non-military life and establish new ways of life post-deployment. Mental rehabilitation teaches veterans with mental health illness the living skills of community functioning and the ability to deal with their new environment.

Hazardous exposures

Veterans' past exposure to chemicals (Agent Orange, contaminated water), radiation (nuclear weapons, X-rays), air pollutants (burn pit smoke, dust), occupational hazards (asbestos, lead), warfare agents (chemical and biological weapons), noise, and vibration increase their risk of health problems even years after the initial introduction. For example, long-term health problems have been implicated in association with Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam veterans. For those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is insufficient data to identify the long-term health effects of hazardous exposure to pollutants, such as "burn pits" and infectious agents such as rabies, despite the immediate side-effects experienced by most veterans. Obtaining an accurate medical and deployment history is essential in providing accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Homelessness

It is estimated that approximately 49,933 veterans are homeless (12% of the homeless adult population). Homeless veterans face the same difficulties as non-veterans, such as substance use, unemployment, and mental illness. However, they are troubled with the additional burdens of military-related factors, such as PTSD, TBI, a history of multiple deployments, and military skills that might not be transferable to the civilian work environment. National Coalition for Homeless Veterans found that 51% of homeless veterans have disabilities, 50% suffer from a severe mental illness, and 70% have SUDs. National Coalition for Homeless Veterans believes housing and employment opportunities are a top priority for homeless veterans.

Conclusion

Currently, there are approximately 22 million US veterans. Preparing future health care providers to meet the needs of this extraordinary number of veterans is essential. Providing faculty development in the area of veteran-specific health issues and how to integrate veteran content into protocols will contribute to improving veteran outcomes and providing excellent care to those who served in this country.

Additionally, the total enrollees of veterans who utilize the VA health care system are approximately 10 million, which is less than half the current total veteran population. Furthermore, about 61% of all separated OEF/OIF veterans have used VA health care. This indicates that veterans are primarily using civilian medical care facilities, further stressing the need for health care providers to be well versed in veteran-specific health issues, war eras, and the reintegration issues veterans face so they can provide excellent veteran care and outcomes.

Promotion and implementation of veteran health issues and other veteran content relevant to enhancing veteran care and outcomes are essential in health care provider education and vital to the holistic care of veterans across the lifespan and the country. Programs targeted at enhancing veteran-specific knowledge for faculty and students will improve care for diverse veteran populations. We also must educate ourselves and other veterans on the available resources to meet their medical needs.

I hope this week's article has helped improve your knowledge of health-related issues that veterans are challenged with daily. If you see or hear of a veteran experiencing any problems, reach out to them and point them in the right direction so they can get the help they need.

Veteran Doctor - Episode 15 - Veteran Related Mental Health Issues

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the FIFTEENTH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's podcast, we will discuss Veteran Related Mental Health Issues. We will also continue our fun facts of UBI (Useful Bits of Information) and Veteran News, so stick around for the program!

Many military veterans experience a group of mental health conditions that tend to affect military personnel and their families disproportionately. These conditions may include posttraumatic stress (PTSD), depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and substance abuse, among many other issues. Due to the traumatic environment in which active military combatants serve, veterans are at a significantly higher risk of developing these health concerns. These concerns can often be addressed and resolved with the support of mental health professionals

PTSD In Veterans

Posttraumatic stress is an anxiety issue that may develop after an individual has been exposed to a traumatic or overwhelming life experience. While the human body tends to return to baseline levels after experiencing a stressful event, people experiencing PTSD continue to release stress-related hormones and chemicals. Four basic types of symptoms characterize posttraumatic stress:

1. Reliving the event:

• Repeatedly experiencing the event in flashbacks
• Having intrusive, repeated, and upsetting memories of the event
• Regularly having nightmares about the event
• Having intense and discomforting reactions to objects or situations that remind you of the event

2. Avoidance:

• Staying away from people, places, or even thoughts that remind you of the event
• Emotional numbness
• Feelings of detachment
• Memory problems
• Loss of interest in everyday activities
• Being emotionally guarded
• Feelings of hopelessness

3. Hyperarousal:

• Continually scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger
• Problems concentrating
• Increased irritability
• Being easily startled
• Erratic sleep patterns

4. Negative thoughts, moods, or feelings:

• Feeling guilty about the event
• Criticizing or blaming other individuals for the event
• Loss of interest in activities and people

Though traumatic incidents - such as participating in combat, experiencing sexual abuse, or having a car accident—must occur for a person to develop PTSD, not all traumatic experiences result in posttraumatic stress. Only a small percentage of people who go through trauma experience PTSD. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD among American women is 10%, while only 4% of American men will experience PTSD at some point during their life.

American combat veterans have a much higher prevalence of PTSD than American civilians. Between 11-20% of veterans from Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) experience posttraumatic stress in a given year. Approximately 12% of Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans and 15% of Vietnam veterans are affected by PTSD annually. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD for Vietnam veterans is 30%.

Military personnel are at higher risk for developing posttraumatic stress because service members are intimately involved in wartime incidents that may be frightening, horrifying, and at times, life-threatening. One emotionally overwhelming episode may be enough for PTSD to develop, but combat often facilitates prolonged and repeated exposure to traumatic events.

Depression And Anxiety In Veterans

Mental health conditions that adversely affect moods, such as depression and anxiety, are also prevalent among military veterans - and veterans may experience these issues for many different reasons. Factors such as reduced health (physical and mental), unemployment, and financial difficulties can contribute to negative thoughts and moods.

Upon returning home, some veterans report feeling disconnected from family members and friends. The belief that no one can relate to their experiences or offer meaningful emotional support can prompt service members to bottle up their feelings or even seek social isolation. Such actions, though, may only serve to exacerbate the situation.

Other factors may also play a role in developing negative thought patterns. For example, the grief of losing one's friends during combat, coupled with feelings of survivor's guilt, can lead to the development of depression and anxiety if they are not adequately treated.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) And Veterans

Traumatic brain injury is currently one of the most discussed topics in the medical and mental health communities, as many veterans have returned home with the condition's symptoms. It has even been called a "signature injury" of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Traumatic brain injury may be caused by a blow to the head, the head striking an object, or by an explosion in close proximity.

People who experience a brain injury may become confused, disoriented, experience slow or delayed thinking, and even slip into a coma. Memory loss of events preceding and immediately following the injury is also common. Other symptoms associated with TBI are headaches, dizziness, and difficulty paying attention. In some cases, traumatic brain injury can result in physical deficits, behavioral changes, emotional deficiencies, and loss of cognitive ability.

In the most recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, 78% of all combat injuries are caused by explosive munitions. Mild TBI or concussion is one of the most prevalent combat injuries, affecting roughly 15% of all active military combatants in Iraq and Afghanistan. Due to the devastating effect of roadside bombs in these countries, the ability to effectively treat traumatic brain injury is of great importance in veteran care.

Other Mental Health Issues Experienced By Veterans

While posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and traumatic brain injury are at the forefront of most people's minds regarding veteran care, there are other mental health conditions that warrant attention. These include:

• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Suicidal ideation
• Anger issues
• Sleep apnea
• Dementia

An individual who serves in the military will not necessarily develop a mental health condition. Further, a mental health concern experienced by a veteran may have no relation to the veteran's military service. Mental health professionals who work with veterans will typically assess each person individually and consider all symptoms and life experiences before making a diagnosis or starting treatment.

Therapy For Military And Veterans Issues

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a wide range of mental health services and treatments to aid military veterans. Treatments may be given in various settings: short-term inpatient care, outpatient care in a psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery center (PRRC), or residential care.

For veterans experiencing post traumatic stress, antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and mood-stabilizing drugs may be prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist. These medications can address depression and anxiety issues, reduce irritability, improve sleep patterns, and ease nightmares or intrusive thoughts.

While the use of mood-influencing medications is particularly common in treating depression and anxiety, talk therapies can also be very beneficial. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and interpersonal therapy (IPT) can help veterans reduce emotional pain and re-establish positive social relationships. Certain types of treatments--such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT) or prolonged exposure therapy (PE)--may also be used to promote positive thought patterns and behaviors in veterans experiencing mental health issues. Medical guidelines strongly recommend both CBT and PE for the treatment of posttraumatic stress. Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (MH RRTPs), established by the VA, provide a 24/7 health care setting for veterans with PTSD.

Veterans with traumatic brain injury may experience a variety of mental health issues. Different therapeutic strategies may be applied, depending on which areas of a person's functioning are affected. Conventional treatments for TBIs include rehabilitation therapies (for example, speech-language therapy), medication, assistive devices, and learning strategies to address cognitive, emotional, and behavioral deficits.

Support And Therapy For Military Families

Military life and deployment can take a toll on each member of the family system. Children and teenagers may become irritable or rebellious, and the parent at home may have to cope with the increased burden of caring for the family alone daily. Deployment can lead family members to feel anxious, alone, or unsupported. Military families also have to face the possibility that the deployed family member may return seriously injured or may not return at all. A family who is out of touch with extended family members of the military community may be more likely to experience increased stress during this period.

While happiness and relief may often be experienced when a deployed family member returns home, initial joy might give way to feelings of frustration as issues associated with reintegration increase. The returning parent may experience personality changes or developed mental or physical health concerns, children may have been born or developed to different stages in life, and marital bonds may have been weakened. The need to readjust to new roles within the family system may increase tension between family members.

Many resources are available for military families leading up to and during deployment. Family therapy programs help parents explain the deployment process to young children, while support programs are in place to help returning veterans and their family members go through the reintegration process with as few issues as possible. At present, the VA has identified six key ways to assist military families:

• Increase behavioral health care services
• Promote awareness that psychological health is as important as physical health
• Promote housing security for veterans and military families
• Increase opportunities for federal careers
• Increase opportunities for private-sector careers
• Provide more opportunities for educational advancement

Unused Resources Available To Veterans

Though the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has expanded its mental health services and integrated supplementary programs for the benefit of veterans who are experiencing mental health issues, a significant proportion of these services remain unused. Of all army veterans who have a mental health concern, approximately 60% do not seek assistance from a mental health professional. Studies indicate that roughly 70% of veterans with posttraumatic stress or depression do not seek help.

Surveys conducted among veterans experiencing mental health challenges have highlighted several reasons for the under-utilization of available resources. Common responses include:

• Fear of being stigmatized within the military community
• Fear of confronting trauma
• Constrained access to care (due to location or wait time)
• Lack of expertise among available mental health care providers
• The belief that friends and family can provide all needed care
• Lack of knowledge of available mental health resources
• Lack of knowledge of how to access possible mental health care

Don't allow these reasons to prevent you or a veteran you know from seeking help.

So, hopefully, this information has helped improve your knowledge of the mental health issues that veterans face daily. A little knowledge can help a veteran in need. Please keep an eye out for your fellow veterans out there. It can be trauma from the combat zone that causes these issues, and a friend can help them get through them.

Veteran Doctor - Episode 14 - PTSD and Tough Months.

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the FOURTEENTH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's podcast, we will discuss PTSD and Tough Months. We will also continue our fun facts of UBI (Useful Bits of Information) and Veteran News, so stick around for the program!

Different times of the year become very busy for many people, but for many veterans this can cause tough times when many barriers develop with many different obstacles like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many people have limited knowledge on this issue, except for what the media portrays it as, which is virtually untrue. Here are some facts to educate you on this disorder that challenges many veterans and can give you some knowledge to help these veterans in many ways.

Understanding PTSD in veterans

Many veterans have a hard time readjusting to life outside of the military. Many always feel on edge, emotionally numb and disconnected, or close to panicking or exploding. For all too many veterans, these are common experiences—lingering symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s hard living with untreated PTSD and, with long Veterans Affairs (VA) wait times, it’s easy to get discouraged. But many can feel better and get started today, even while waiting for professional treatment, by being proactive and educating themselves on the disorder itself and things to help relieve symptoms.

What causes PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sometimes known as shell shock or combat stress, occurs after you experience severe trauma or a life-threatening event. It’s normal for a veteran’s mind and body to be in shock after such an event, but this normal response becomes PTSD when their nervous system gets “stuck.”

A Veterans nervous system has two automatic or reflexive ways of responding to stressful events:

Mobilization, or fight-or-flight, occurs when you need to defend yourself or survive the danger of a combat situation. Your heart pounds faster, your blood pressure rises, and your muscles tighten, increasing your strength and reaction speed. Once the danger has passed, your nervous system calms your body, lowering your heart rate and blood pressure and winding back down to its normal balance.

Immobilization occurs when you’ve experienced too much stress in a situation, and even though the danger has passed, you find yourself “stuck.” Your nervous system cannot return to its normal state of balance, and you’re unable to move on from the event. This is PTSD.

Recovering from PTSD involves transitioning out of the mental and emotional war zone you’re still living in and helping your nervous system become “unstuck.”

Symptoms of PTSD in veterans

While veterans develop symptoms of PTSD in the hours or days following a traumatic event, sometimes symptoms don’t surface for months or even years after you return from deployment. While PTSD develops differently in each veteran, there are four symptom clusters:

1. Recurrent, intrusive reminders of the traumatic event, including distressing thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks, where you feel like the event is happening again. You may experience extreme emotional and physical reactions to reminders of the trauma, such as panic attacks, uncontrollable shaking, and heart palpitations.
2. Extreme avoidance of things that remind you of the traumatic event, including people, places, thoughts, or situations you associate with the bad memories. This includes withdrawing from friends and family and losing interest in everyday activities.
3. Adverse changes in your thoughts and mood, such as exaggerated negative beliefs about yourself or the world and persistent feelings of fear, guilt, or shame. You may notice a diminished ability to experience positive emotions.
4. Being on guard all the time, jumpy, and emotionally reactive, as indicated by irritability, anger, reckless behavior, difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating, and hypervigilance.

Here are some resources or ideas to help veterans experiencing PTSD events or having issues.

Help for Veterans

Life in the military has taught you to be strong in the face of some of life's most challenging obstacles. It's also taught you to expect the unexpected. As a veteran, you know hardships can happen in every corner of life. If you or someone you know needs support, your military family is committed to helping. Assistance is at hand.

Non-medical counseling for veterans

When life throws you a curveball, you might need to talk to someone who gets it. Veterans have several options for confidential non-medical counseling. To receive non-medical counseling from Military OneSource as a veteran, you must be within 365 days of separation from the military.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers the Vet Center Program that provides quality readjustment counseling. If you have served in any combat zone, you and your family are eligible. Vet Centers can be found all across the U.S.

Risk factors and treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

People who live through a traumatic event sometimes suffer its effects long after the danger has passed. Several factors play a role in developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, so there is no way to know who will or won’t experience it. The good news is treatment is available, and early treatment may help reduce long-term symptoms.

Alcohol and substance abuse programs

While anyone can be at risk of alcohol and substance abuse, there are several aspects of military life that can trigger it. Understand the signs of a substance abuse problem.

If you find yourself or know someone repeatedly engaging in activities that have a negative impact on your life, you might be engaging in addictive behavior. Learn more about the signs.

You can also find support through Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar programs. To find a program near you, call SAHMSA's National Helpline at 800-662-4357 or find treatment centers online.

The VA provides effective treatment services for all eligible veterans. Options include therapy as well as medications in some cases. To get help, speak with your existing VA healthcare provider or call 800-827-1000.

Housing assistance and help for homeless veterans

Delinquency and assistance for housing loans

Veterans at risk of becoming homeless can always call or visit their local VA medical center or Community Resource and Referral Center for assistance.

Veteran homelessness

The VA, in collaboration with other government offices and partners, offers programs such as Supportive Housing, Homeless Provider Grants, Enhanced-Used Lease, and Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Providers.

Help for suicide prevention

If you’re having suicidal thoughts or you're concerned about a loved one, don't hesitate. Have a confidential talk with a professional who knows how to help.

The Veterans Crisis Line is always open. Call: 1-800-273-8255 then Press 1. Call for help or chat online 24/7 at no cost. Speak to qualified Veteran Affairs responders who understand the challenges of military life. They know — many are veterans themselves. Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered nearly 2.4 million callers and engaged in almost 294,000 chats.

The Defense Suicide Prevention Office is committed to developing suicide prevention efforts among all military services stakeholders. From best practices to resources for family and friends, help is available.

Every veteran is valuable and deserves our support. As a military family, we're committed to supporting veterans' strength and resilience. Don't hesitate to reach out and get the care you need or for someone you know.

Conclusion

There is no bigger gift than the gift of caring for another veteran in need. So, if you see a fellow brother/sister that is a little down on his/her luck, give him/her a helping hand, guidance, knowledge, anything that may just give him/her a boost that will get them through that tough time. I know they will appreciate it more than you know. They would do the same for you if you were in need.

Veteran Doctor - Episode 13 - Challenges That Veterans Face During Their Transition.

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the THIRTEENTH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's podcast, we will discuss Challenges that Veterans Face during their Transition. We will also continue our fun facts of UBI (Useful Bits of Information) and Veteran News, so stick around for the program!

We have reached another week, survived the weather that has faced us and our daily challenges. Topic selection is always a challenge to ensure diverse and interesting topics are selected, so I have come up with the challenges that veterans face throughout their lives and as they transition into their civilian lives. Here are some of those challenges that veterans are currently experiencing.

1. Unpreparedness for Civilian Employment

Veteran employment challenges could be partly attributed to a lack of preparation for finding civilian employment when they left the military. Part of the lack of preparation for civilian job placement included unrealistic employment expectations. Almost all of the service providers interviewed described the Veteran as lacking knowledge in the kind of jobs that would be available to them when they left the military. Veterans also had unrealistic expectations regarding the level they would enter the workforce and what kind of compensation they would receive. Veterans leaving the military thought their military service would allow for job opportunities at a similar rank and pay as what they received during military service. This is not the case.

Veteran’s often feel as though they had to start over completely and that their transition out of the military was not the steady progression of career advancement they expected. Despite this, Veterans remain incredibly motivated and willing to work their way up through civilian employment opportunities. But they also described what often happens to their veteran clients when these expectations are not met. Faced with starting from the bottom or in entry-level positions, their clients often became very frustrated.

2. Unaddressed Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues

A common theme for both barriers to employment and risk factors for unemployment for Veterans with unaddressed mental health and substance abuse issues. Every Veteran described these as significant challenges in finding employment. Many described the issues as often inter-connected, with clients using substances as self-medication for lingering mental health issues, most commonly PTSD and/or depression. These problems manifest themselves in several ways concerning employment. First, they are relevant to the motivation to find and keep employment.

Veterans have appeared not quite ready to address their mental health and/or substance abuse issues. Also, Veterans with unaddressed mental health or substance abuse issues are challenging to place. One service provider described employers as very reluctant to hire a veteran if an employer even slightly suspects a veteran may be experiencing mental health issues. Although this is most likely true for hiring civilians, the stigma of mental health issues that have come to be associated with military service appeared to make employers mostly concerned when hiring veterans.

3. Continuation of Military Identity

One of the most common themes across all Veteran Groups was the indication and expression of how the veteran participants continue to see themselves through a military identity. The impact of their training and military experience was still evident in their actions, behaviors, and thoughts and their ability to relate to civilian friends, family, and employers. Almost every focus group participant described feeling more comfortable around those who had also previously served in the military.

The military identity appears to be an additional barrier and challenge inhibiting veterans’ abilities to adapt and transition to civilian life, especially in gaining and maintaining employment. This was evidenced in their difficulty adjusting to the civilian work culture. A clear theme that emerged from the focus groups was that even when veterans had secured work, many found it hard to maintain their employment as they had not settled well into the civilian work ethic and culture.

4. Criminal Background and/or Dishonorable Discharge

The most prominent theme from service provider interviews regarding the risk factors for unemployment in their veteran clients was a criminal background and/or dishonorable discharge. These Veterans are most difficult to employ and the most at risk for chronic unemployment. Along with the unique challenges that come with finding veterans employment, criminal background, or dishonorable discharge creates additional barriers, particularly the unwillingness of employers to hire these veterans and lack of available jobs.

5. Stigma Associated with Hiring Veterans

An additional theme from Veterans was overcoming the stigma associated with hiring veterans. Service provider participants described reluctance by some employers to hire their veteran clients. This was most often attributed to concerns over mental health issues, long gaps in employment history, and an unwillingness to hire those with a dishonorable discharge and/or criminal background.

Veterans were very direct about the stigma they perceived facing while trying to enter the civilian workforce. Veterans felt as though relaying their military service to potential employers automatically put them at a disadvantage. Most relayed employers’ concerns about possible mental health issues.

6. Veteran Client Age

When looking at specific risk factors for unemployment, Veterans often brought up age as a significant factor that may make veterans susceptible to unemployment. However, there was a mixture of responses regarding at what age clients were most vulnerable. Some participants felt the older veteran clients were most at risk for unemployment. Reasons provided included older veterans who have outdated skills, have difficulty using technology and are more likely to have been chronically unemployed with long gaps out of the workforce.

Veterans felt the younger generation of veterans was more at risk for unemployment. Younger veterans as more likely to have mental health issues, not prepared to focus on gaining employment, not willing to get help, and at risk for creating long gaps out of the workforce that will make them difficult to employ.

7. Availability of Appropriate Jobs

Veterans revealed the lack of available jobs appropriate to veteran skills and experience and pay a living wage to be a significant barrier for veteran employment. Veterans discussed a lack of employment, this was particularly relevant for service providers that worked in rural areas.

Many of the veterans reported that one of the challenges they face in finding employment is identifying available jobs that are appropriate to their skills and experience but also that pay them a living wage. Both pre-9/11 and post-9/11 veterans said that, in their experience, the only work available to them was as security for private companies, bars or nightclubs, fast food restaurants, or other low-skilled positions. The lack of appropriate and fairly paid work impacted many veterans’ motivations to apply for jobs and maintain work once offered a job.

Hopefully, this helps you understand some of the challenges that other veterans are experiencing as they transition back into the civilian world. If we can understand these challenges, it will allow us to help these veterans get through them a little easier and maybe be there for them through their struggles. Anyway, I hope you have a great week! Please take care of yourself and other veterans

Veteran Doctor - Episode 12 - Three Issues Facing Veterans in Your Community.

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the TWELFTH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's podcast, we will discuss Three Issues Facing Veterans in Your Community. We will also continue our fun facts of UBI (Useful Bits of Information) and Veteran News, so stick around for the program!

There are three primary issues that face veterans in almost every community at one point in their lives; unemployment, homelessness, and suicide. If it doesn’t, then you are one of the lucky ones, but for many, this is their reality.

Veterans bring many skills to the table, and many of these skills that have been learned in the military can benefit their communities once they’ve been discharged. Often, a veteran needs a helping hand to get reintegrated into their communities to become a functioning member. While veterans have unique skills, they also possess unique hurdles, including higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, and suicide, but with the help of their communities, they can overcome these obstacles. Many need help at the right time – especially offered by the proper people, organizations, and businesses in their communities.

Veteran Unemployment

Veteran unemployment is twice the national average. A Veterans’ most significant obstacles in obtaining employment are translating their military background into a work experience that is easily understandable by civilians, that meets the licensing requirements, and finding jobs while being disabled.

As veterans become older and the longer, he or she has been separated from military service, the better their prospects are for employment. While eighty percent of military jobs have a civilian counterpart, the licensing requirements usually differ. This requires the veteran to go through civilian education in a field that they have already mastered. Also, the educational and testing requirements may vary from state to state. The Veterans Administration (VA) will help pay for testing, but the cost of education usually will fall on the veteran, which can be very expensive.

The 29-percent service-related disability rates are higher among veterans. Most common disabilities include missing limbs, burns, hearing loss, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans with service-related disabilities had an employment-population ratio of 43.3 percent, which is lower the 49-percent of the non-disabled population. The VA helps veterans by providing a Military Skills Translator, which translates military jobs into easy to read resume-ready information – and imports it to the organization’s Resume Builder. Additionally, there are exclusive unemployment benefits for veterans. The Department of Labor (DOL) partnered with the VA to offer Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services, helping with training in developing new job skills, starting a business, or receiving education counseling. Another service, The Veterans Opportunity to Work program, can offer to extend additional vocational rehabilitation benefits for those who have completed their initial program. Rally Point provides post-military professional networking opportunities for veterans, along with Jobless Warrior providing employment and job search resources, to include career coaches and information on employers looking to hire veterans.

Those veterans with service-connected disabilities have a preference when applying for specific federal jobs or potentially winning individual federal government contacts. Some Disabled veterans also are eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation. Those who hire service-disabled veterans qualify for tax incentives through the Special Employer Incentive program. The VOW program also can assist veterans in receiving disability accommodations.

Veteran Homelessness

One out of ten of those homeless people are veterans; 50 percent are disabled, and three-quarters of homeless veterans have some sort of mental health issues. Another 1.5 million veterans are at-risk for homelessness because of poverty, lack of support networks, and overcrowded housing. One half a million veterans pay more than one half of their total income on their rent.

Many of our nation's homeless veterans, or at-risk for homelessness, have service-connected disabilities, especially mental health issues like PTSD or substance abuse issues. Unemployment can also factor in because of the inability to transition military training to civilian work.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans stresses a need for housing, nutrition, physical, mental healthcare, and job services for our nation's homeless and at-risk veterans. The coalition reports that community-based programs to serve veterans saw the most significant success rate.

The Interagency Council of Homelessness has established a benchmarking guide for communities looking to address veteran homelessness actively. This council also has published a strategy guide, recommending a public commitment to eradicating veteran homelessness; coordination programs with private landlords matching homeless vets with housing; identifying resources at the federal, state, and local levels; and coordinating with job programs to help provide training and services.

The Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service provided the availability of $12 million in funding to help veterans with job training and sustainable housing to transition them from homelessness.

The VA provided housing assistance in conjunction with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program, including exams, treatment, and referrals. The Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans program offered mental health and rehabilitation services and job services explicitly targeted toward our homeless veterans to help with assistance.

Additionally, Veterans Matter is a nonprofit organization that provides housing to homeless veterans founded by a formerly homeless man. Veterans Matter works directly with other organizations to raise awareness and funding.

Veteran Suicide

Veterans represent one in five of the total population of those who die from suicide in America. Unfortunately, Twenty-two veterans will die of suicide daily. Many of those lack access to or don’t utilize available VA services that are available.

There are many reasons why veterans are suffering from this issue. Many veterans suffer from isolation, have little to no meaningful social connections, and become prone to suicide issues, especially during transitional periods – such as separation from the military or changes in their lives. Unemployment and homelessness are periods that veterans may see themselves as burdens to their communities, which are significant stressors, as viewed by the veteran. The risk of suicide is most notable during the first three years following separation from the military.

This isolation can be especially acute in veterans who suffer from PSTD or lost fellow service members, even if they have an adequate support system. In such cases, veterans may feel that others can't understand the trauma they have endured, causing a feeling of disconnection from society.

The Center for Disease Control established in a report on suicide prevention that the following recommendations should be implemented to improve a veterans environment: strengthening financial security, encouraging emotional intelligence and identifying and intervening with those most at-risk, improving safe storage practices for firearms and medicines, stabilizing housing, increasing access to mental health care, promoting community engagement, and enhancing communication and problem-solving skills.

The VA also has a dedicated suicide crisis line – call 1(800) 273-8255 or text 838255 – including helpful resources for veterans and concerned loved ones to obtain information on suicide warning signs and crisis resources.

Additionally, the VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention has developed training called; “Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage and Expedite” to help those who encounter veterans to recognize red-flags of suicide and act. The nonprofit Psych Armor Institute has helped provide this training covering various topics from military culture, myths, supporting veterans, and self-care.

Additionally, the VA Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide addresses veteran suicide in a multi-pronged approach: visibility and awareness; preventive services; treatment and support; and research. Through knowledge, pro-active, and preventive measures and support, your community can best serve its veterans, reaping the benefits of all they have to offer in return and thanking them for their service.

Conclusion

Well, hopefully, this information is helpful to you, or you can share it with a fellow veteran who can use it in their life. If there is two things I learned a long time ago, Always Strive to Learn Something New Everyday! and Knowledge is Power! So, Never Stop Learning!

Veteran Doctor - Episode 11 - Issues Facing The Elderly Veteran Population

Good Morning Veterans, Family, and Friends, welcome back to the ELEVENTH EPISODE of the Veteran Doctor. On this week's podcast, we will discuss Issues Facing The Elderly Veteran Population. We will also continue our fun facts of UBI (Useful Bits of Information) and Veteran News, so stick around for some great stuff!

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) is the current American embodiment of an ancient social pact, one that has existed in many forms since antiquity, between a society and those who go to war on its behalf. The agreement is that in return for the soldier risking his (or her) life, society will care for an injured soldier, and sometimes his dependent family members, until death. In the era of Greek city-states and even the Plymouth Colony, the average life expectancy for humans was four decades or less, and the number of individuals affected numbered at most in the hundreds. Now, as expectancy is more than eight decades and military service engages millions of individuals whose ages cover the full adult lifespan, the promise of lifetime care for former warriors has become an enormous, costly, complex, and mostly elderly-focused health and support services enterprise.

According to the 2012 United States Census brief, there are more than 12.4 million veterans age 65 or older. This elderly veteran population served in conflicts such as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. Issues affect all veterans as they battle the V.A. for the benefits they deserve, but today, we will look at some of the problems that are commonly faced by elderly veterans in particular.

Lack of Evidence

To obtain V.A. disability benefits, a veteran must have medical proof showing they have a current disability, medical or lay evidence showing the disability began or was aggravated in service, and medical evidence of a link, or nexus, between their current disability and the in-service event. Additionally, to show the severity of their disability, the veteran will need evidence such as V.A. treatment records, private medical records, and/or statements from family and friends describing how the veteran’s disability affects them.

One problem that many elderly veterans may run in to is locating and obtaining their service records. Getting service records for elderly veterans can be especially difficult due to a fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973 that destroyed millions of official military service records. The VA is required to assist veterans in obtaining their service records, but a veteran needs to make sure the V.A. has notified all potential locations of service records. The following is a list of organizations that may have service records:

• The NPRC
• The United States Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC): The JSRRC works to find military records supporting veterans’ inquiries related to PTSD and Agent Orange VA disability claims.
• The National Archives and Record Administration (NARA): This is the official location where records for military personnel discharged from the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are stored.
• The Naval Historical Center: This is the official center for historical information related to

Navy military records and includes information such as deck logs and ship histories, which can help Agent Orange claims.

A veteran does not have to rely solely on service records for evidence of an in-service event; they can also use lay evidence such as buddy statements. However, elderly veterans may find it challenging to obtain this kind of evidence as well. For example, elderly veterans’ fellow service members might no longer be alive or suffer from memory loss.

Transportation

The process involved with getting V.A. disability benefits often requires a veteran to go to V.A. offices and medical centers. Many times, these visits are mandatory, such as appearing at Compensation and Pension Exams (C&P exams). If a veteran does not show up for a C&P exam, the V.A. can reduce or even take away their benefits. Even worse is the fact that the V.A. doesn’t provide transportation to their facilities. However, some regulations allow for veterans to get a transportation allowance or a reimbursement for transportation costs. For example, 38. C.F.R. § 21.154 that states, “a veteran who because of the effects of disability has transportation expenses in addition to those incurred by persons not so disabled, shall be provided a transportation allowance to defray such additional expenses.”

The Slow Process

Perhaps one of the most severe issues facing the elderly veteran population is the length of time it takes the V.A. to complete the disability claim appeal process. Some Regional Offices are so backlogged that they’re up to 2 years behind on deciding veterans’ appeals. The Board of Veterans Appeals (B.V.A.) is even more backlogged. Appeals at the B.V.A. are taking up to 3 years to get decided. The problem is, elderly veterans, don’t always have time on their side. A study cited in a research article discussing issues facing the elderly veteran population stated: “approximately 3,000 veterans die each year with their disability compensation claims still mired in some stage of the agency’s adjudication process.”

Claims can be expedited, but the V.A.’s regulations state that veterans must be 85 years or older for their claim to receive priority processing. If a veteran is under 85 years old, their claim can still be expedited due to other factors such as financial hardship or being terminally ill.

Underutilized Benefits

Unfortunately, many elderly veterans might not generalize the extent of V.A. benefits they are entitled to, or they might be completely unaware of benefits they may be eligible for. Elderly veterans may be entitled to receive additional compensation on top of any service-connected compensation they’re already receiving. Also, elderly veterans may be entitled to different health care programs tailored to their needs. The following is a list of some common benefits and health care programs that elderly veterans may be entitled to:

• Aid and Attendance: available for veterans who require help with performing daily functions, are bedridden, a patient in a nursing home, or are blind.
• Housebound: available for veterans that are confined to their home because of a permanent disability
• Adult Day Health Care: this is a day program that provides recreation, companionship, and health care services such as care from nurses, therapists, social workers, etc.
• Home Based Primary Care: this program is for veterans with complex health care needs that are not being met by routine clinic-based care. A VA doctor will supervise a team that provides health care in the veteran’s home.
• Homemaker and Home Health Aide: available for veterans who need assistance with activities of daily living.
• Palliative Care: this involves helping veterans (and their families) manage their illness with a plan of care that focuses on the relief of suffering and control of symptoms.
• Hospice Care: available for veterans who have terminal conditions with less than six months to live
• Skilled Home Health Care: this is a short-term service for veterans that are homebound or live far away from the V.A. Care is provided by a local community-based health agency that contracts with the V.A.
• Respite Care: This service offers a person to come to a veteran’s home while the veteran’s primary caregiver takes a break.
• Telehealth: allows a veteran’s doctor or nurse to monitor the veteran’s condition remotely using home monitoring equipment.
• Veteran Directed Care: available for veterans in need of skilled services, case management, or assistance with daily living activities. This program allows a veteran to customize a health care plan that best meets their needs.

It should be apparent from the preceding comments that V.A. is a very large, complex, and continuously evolving enterprise. Veterans Affairs’ commitment to serving those who were willing to put their lives at risk for their countrymen has never wavered, but the challenges of a large governmental organization that has to be responsive to changing demography, shifting societal priorities, political forces, and technological improvements are numerous, complex, elusive and daunting. Nevertheless, VA has made an enormous, positive mark on the health and health care of all older Americans through its decades of effort on behalf of aging veterans and undoubtedly will continue to do so for decades to come.