How to Care for Aging Veterans

Some 40 percent of our nation’s veterans are over 65 years old, according to the VA. Too often, long-term care planning is not a priority -- something families talk about only when someone ends up in the hospital.

As an advocate for veterans, I urge you to have those conversations now before your aging loved one or friend is hospitalized. 

There’s a great resource that the VA has put out to assist you.

It’s the online Guide to Long Term Care, which includes decision aids to help veterans and their family members consider long-term care options. Developed by a team of health educators and geriatric specialists, the guide provides information on what it calls "Shared Decision Making" approach to long-term care decisions.

According to the VA, the guide offers: “worksheets that Veterans and their caregivers fill out to identify their needs, preferences and options. They can help Veterans weigh the pros and cons of long term care choices such as increasing help at home or moving to a nursing home.”

Please forward this information to veterans and their families in your life.

Richard VanHouten is the founder and CEO of Veterans Support Organization.