Evaluation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services

Evaluation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 467
Release: 2018-03-29
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309466601

Approximately 4 million U.S. service members took part in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Shortly after troops started returning from their deployments, some active-duty service members and veterans began experiencing mental health problems. Given the stressors associated with war, it is not surprising that some service members developed such mental health conditions as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use disorder. Subsequent epidemiologic studies conducted on military and veteran populations that served in the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq provided scientific evidence that those who fought were in fact being diagnosed with mental illnesses and experiencing mental healthâ€"related outcomesâ€"in particular, suicideâ€"at a higher rate than the general population. This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the quality, capacity, and access to mental health care services for veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn. It includes an analysis of not only the quality and capacity of mental health care services within the Department of Veterans Affairs, but also barriers faced by patients in utilizing those services.

Long-term Outcomes of Military Service

Long-term Outcomes of Military Service
Author: Avron Spiro
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017-10
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 9781433828041

Using data compiled from longitudinal studies of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans, contributors to this groundbreaking book examine the effects of military service across the lifespan. The US spends over 100 billion dollars annually on healthcare for more than 30 million active military and veterans. The prevalence of negative trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military veterans is well-known. But other more subtle effects of military service--particularly on health and well-being in later life--are less well-understood, among researchers as well as medical and mental health professionals who care for veterans. Chapters in this book give us crucial insights into the impact of military service, including the surprising finding that service can serve as a protective factor in some contexts, throughout the aging process. Topic areas include the effects of combat and stress on longevity and brain functioning; the use of memory, cognition, and ego development at various points in life; the relationship between experiences of discrimination and the later development of PTSD; marriage longevity; employment; and the way notions of patriotism and nationalism among service personnel and their families may change over time.

Older veterans

Older veterans
Author: United States. Congress. House. Select Committee on Aging. Subcommittee on Human Services
Publisher:
Total Pages: 120
Release: 1984
Genre:
ISBN:

Aging Veterans with Disabilities

Aging Veterans with Disabilities
Author: Arie Rimmerman
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 130
Release: 2020-10-15
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1000204979

The number of older war veterans receiving disability benefits is steadily growing and is predicted to rise in the next decade. This book provides comprehensive knowledge about health and psychosocial concerns of veterans aging with disabilities and unmet needs and compares policy in three countries that have been involved in massive warfare in the 20th century––the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), and Israel. Using a cross-national comparative study of the policies, legislation and services provided by these three countries, which have significant numbers of aging disabled military veterans, this book provides evidence-based knowledge on the trajectories and attendant mental-health and psychosocial problems this sub-group faces when aging with a disability. It sheds light on the paradox in which most veterans with disabilities in the UK, USA and Israel are older, while the current legislation and budget target younger veterans with disabilities. The book reflects the current debate regarding the desired policy toward older veterans with disabilities in these countries and whether to provide them with proactive health services prior to retirement to prevent "accelerated aging". It also evaluates the dilemma of whether to serve aging veterans separately as a unique population or to provide them with the same services used by the general population. This book will be of interest to all academics and students working in disability studies, rehabilitation studies, gerontology, psychology, sociology, social work, social policy, and law more broadly.

Families Caring for an Aging America

Families Caring for an Aging America
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 367
Release: 2016-11-08
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309448093

Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.

Veteran Psychiatry in the US

Veteran Psychiatry in the US
Author: Elspeth Cameron Ritchie
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 353
Release: 2019-03-29
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3030053849

This volume explores the unique psychiatric needs of active and former military personnel and offers clinical pearls for the optimal delivery of care for these individuals. Written by experts in military and veteran psychiatry, this book addresses the most common issues in military and veteran patients, including depression, traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, homelessness, and suicidality. Chapters highlight the characteristics of veterans suffering from each disorder that requires special treatment, making it a valuable resource for both military and civilian clinicians. Veteran Psychiatry in the US is a valuable resource for all mental health clinicians working with or seeking to work with veterans, including psychiatrists, neurologists, primary care physicians, psychologists, counselors, social workers, nurses, residents, and all others.

47 Secret Veterans' Benefits for Seniors: Benefits You Have Earned... But Don't Know About!

47 Secret Veterans' Benefits for Seniors: Benefits You Have Earned... But Don't Know About!
Author: Victoria L. Collier
Publisher:
Total Pages: 110
Release: 2010-02
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780984394906

47 Secret Veterans Benefits for Seniors is written for Veterans and their advocates. You will learn insider secrets the VA doesn't want you to know, learn how you can get tax free income to pay for private health care, and learn how to push your claim effectively through the system, and much more! This book will discuss certain VA benefits that are most beneficial to senior citizens, specifically, VA service connected compensation, VA health care, and VA pension benefits.