Geriatric Care and Benefits, an Essential Support for Elderly Veterans

All adults must face problems that arise when growing older at some point in life; it's a normal stage of the aging process. However, senior veterans are often met with additional struggles in several circumstances, even if they can become experts in resiliency and coping with aging.

Later life usually brings new and challenging experiences and complex roles, responsibilities, or relationship changes - all possible triggers for aging veterans' mental health. On top of that, disabilities can drastically impact an older veteran's quality of life. Numerous studies show that elderly vets, particularly VA patients, are more inclined to develop chronic conditions affecting their mental and physical health.

Unfortunately, some veterans can even face financial or housing issues despite their advanced age, a burdensome situation often topped by their limited ability to do the things they want to do. They might also have to deal with other experiences heightening their stress levels, such as:

mental health and cognitive issues
vision or hearing loss
chronic medical condition
mobility and accessibility
social isolation

Moreover, geriatric researchers are finding nowadays that the aging process for some veterans can trigger PTSD, just when they're at a life stage that seems to guarantee they're moving past their dark days in the war and fully adjusting to life outside of the military. Growing old inevitably brings about stress-triggering events:

retirement
losing a loved one
facing own mortality
chronic health issues
dementia

The simple fact that elderly veterans find themselves having more free time to think about memories may come with stressors unleashing trauma that they've been fighting all their lives to keep in check. However, many older veterans have adapted well to civilian life since their military experience, having held down careers, had families, and established homes and friendships. Then, as the years pass, they begin to think more or become more emotional about their wartime experience.

As we age, it's normal to look back over our life path and try to make sense of all the experiences. For some elderly veterans, this process can trigger Late-Onset Stress Symptomatology (LOSS), which has similar symptoms to PTSD. Nevertheless, these two conditions aren't alike; LOSS appears closely related to aging. Moreover, people with LOSS might live most of their lives relatively well, adapting to everyday life seamlessly. Then, at some point, they begin to perceive regular age-related changes as stress, and they may start to have more intense feelings and thoughts about their military experiences.

Accessible Resources to Ease Aging Veterans' Conditions

Veterans of all ages have to cope with more health conditions and generally report poorer health than civilians, indicating an even greater need for support systems and ways to reach these systems.

One of the most convenient methods for reaching out for help is the internet, but veterans without access to the web may be excluded from critical innovations, as many healthcare systems are turning to technology to share information and ensure better communication and continuity of care through remote monitoring. However, older vets may find using the internet challenging and may use it less due to reasons such as:

economic status
digital literacy
geographic location

In addition, the digital divide is particularly concerning because innovations are increasingly implemented to give patients improved access to their health care through health information technologies ( HIT ) such as:

web-based patient portals
mobile apps
telehealth systems
providers portals
self-management resources

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) was among the leaders in developing HIT to make it more accessible and enhance veterans' face-to-face healthcare visits, including:

MyHealtheVet patient portal - features health information and secure messaging.
Care Coordination Telehealth Program - offers in-home remote monitoring and consultations for managing chronic diseases.
VHA mobile apps - ranging from weight management coaching to a summary of personal VHA medical information.

Sadly, many elderly veterans lack the digital knowledge to access VA services online, particularly telehealth options. Their limited internet usage can be a significant barrier to accessing healthcare, contributing to their stress. To combat this problem, the VA supports individuals who lack internet service or a device connected to the internet in obtaining the necessary access for telehealth care. Because most appointments are made via video conferencing through the VA Video Connect app, veterans need internet access and devices like:

smartphones
tablets
computers

To address these issues, the VA provides internet-connected devices and offers alternative options, such as in-person ATLAS stations, for telehealth visits in select locations.

How the ATLAS System Works

ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations) is the VA's Anywhere-to-Anywhere telehealth initiative, designed to better serve veterans who receive care through the VA, regardless of their location. ATLAS collaborates with public and private organizations to enhance veterans' access to VA healthcare by providing them with closer-to-home locations to receive care. This option helps those living in rural areas, lessening obstacles such as:

long travel times to appointments
long travel times to appointments
poor internet connectivity at home

ATLAS provides convenient locations for veterans to access VA healthcare in their communities. At these locations, veterans have access to the internet and the necessary technology to meet with VA providers through VA Video Connect, VA's secure videoconferencing app, in comfortable, private spaces. Upon arriving at an ATLAS site, veterans will receive assistance from an on-site attendant who will help them log in and troubleshoot fundamental technical issues. These attendants are not VA employees and leave the room once the appointment begins, and they don't have access to veterans' medical or personal information.

It is essential to note that the site where a veteran can schedule an appointment must be affiliated with the VA Medical Center (VAMC) where the veteran is enrolled in care. The VAMC determines which clinical services are offered at the ATLAS site, possibly including:

primary care
mental health
specialty services

Veterans receiving VA care can visit ATLAS sites for select VA appointments. The VA recently published an interactive digital report, the VHA 2023 Annual Report, which highlights that veterans accessed more digital health resources and telehealth care than ever before in 2023. Data show that more than 2.4 million veterans accessed telehealth care, representing approximately 40% of the veterans served by the VA.

The VA Offers Additional Benefits Specifically for Elderly Veterans

The VA's efforts to alleviate life stresses and mental anguish caused by diagnosed illnesses have resulted in programs that provide certain elderly veterans with additional financial support if they are eligible for or receive a VA Pension benefit. Two VA programs aim to accomplish this:

Aid and Attendance (A&A) - is an increased monthly pension paid for veterans who meet one of the conditions:

require help performing daily functions ( bathing, eating, or dressing)
are bedridden
are a patient in a nursing home
eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.

Housebound - is an increased monthly amount paid for veterans who live confined to their homes because of a permanent disability

Further Assistance for Elderly Veterans Through Geriatric VA Health Care

Older veterans have more diagnoses compared to younger veterans and civilian older adults. They are also more likely to present with co-occurring physical, cognitive, and psychological conditions, which can be challenging to assess and treat. Their state is further complicated when they reside in rural areas without easy access to specialty care. However, even in non-rural settings, there is a shortage of providers with geriatric expertise either within the VA or outside of it.

Geriatrics is healthcare for elderly veterans with complex needs, aiming to address these dire situations. Older vets also benefit from extended care, otherwise known as long-term care. It's a program for former service members of all ages who require daily support and assistance from another person. Elderly vets can receive geriatric and long-term care programs at home, VA medical centers, or community. You can gather more information at:

Veterans can apply online or can work with an accredited representative or agent. A VA employee will assist you at a VA regional office; filing your claim can be done using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ). Print the form, and after filling it out, send it to:

Department of Veterans Affairs - Claims Intake Center, P.O. Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.

We Offer Assistance in Filing Veterans' Claims for Compensation

Getting help to successfully file VA claims and obtain the benefits you've earned doesn't have to be complicated. With the dedicated assistance of a legal expert specializing in VA claims, you can have the certainty of compliance with VA criteria and competent help to receive the benefits you've earned in a manner that honors your service. We can help by connecting you with the best attorneys who are ready to take on your case.