Let’s hear it for our veterans! Whether they live in Santa Monica or elsewhere, live independently or have caregivers, they are treasured in our book – and the books of many others as well!

The team at Accredited Home Care has worked with many clients who have served in the military, whether in peacetime, wartime, or both.

Some of our staff have served as well, and most of us have family and close friends who also enlisted in the past or are currently serving. Many of us also have loved ones who have passed away who have also had military experience, from four years to an extended career.

Though many health services are available to past servicemen and servicewomen through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs clinics and hospitals as part of their military benefits, some people may be interested in other options, such as in-home care, especially if they may have difficulty getting to a VA facility.

This is where we can come in.

As a home health care agency since 1980, we’re happy to provide a variety of services to California residents.

We can provide regular nursing care as well as other assistance around the home, everything from light cleaning to transportation. We also can provide access to other health and wellness professionals such as physical therapists, massage therapists, and occupational therapists.

We also encourage our people to get to know all of our clients, especially veterans. This includes taking time to listen to them and hear about their lives, their thoughts, and their concerns.

Some clients may be happy to share plenty of details about their lives with caregivers or visiting health professionals. We know many veterans all have interesting, even fun, stories from their service, but also know that not all of them will feel comfortable sharing some of the other details at first, especially if they have unpleasant or negative memories of their experiences or don’t know people very well.

But in many cases, they still may be eager and appreciative to be able to chat about other things even if some military experience topics may be currently out of bounds. Or if trust is established, they may be able to open up more. Their family may also enjoy hearing some of these stories. (Consider writing it down or recording these moments too!)

Veteran challenges

Although veterans receive the same home health services as other non-veteran clients, in some cases, veterans may need additional levels or types of care.

This can include:

• Different physical conditions. If they served for an extended time or in a particularly difficult area or environment, they may be dealing with various types of injuries. Some of these could be different than the types that civilian people their age are dealing with. Sometimes, an injury from the past may flare up again, decades later, everything from an old wound to degenerative problems from carrying heavy items for so long.
• Different mobility needs. Clients may benefit from assistive devices like canes, walkers, or wheelchairs to get around if their time in the military was connected with certain conditions. If they meet certain factors on how they were injured or their mobility was affected, the VA or military fellowship groups may even pay for some of these tools or devices.
• Different mental health needs. Although we don’t offer mental health services directly, we are always available to help clients or their families connect with providers in their community, including counselors or others who are familiar with treating common veteran conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, neurological changes from head injuries or exposure to certain chemicals or toxins. Being aware of any diagnosed conditions or items that the client might be being treated for can also be shared with us if it can affect regular home health care.

Opportunities to give back

If you’re a veteran, there are opportunities in the near future where you can be celebrated, as well as occasions where you can recognize and reflect on the memories of people you may have served with and who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a national holiday that’s designed to celebrate anyone who has served, living or deceased.

Different communities celebrate Veterans Day in different ways, based on the area resources and amounts of veterans who live nearby.

Some areas include tributes at a local cemetery or veteran area at or near a local government office.

Since 1996, the holiday was expanded to include Veterans and Military Families. For this newly-titled holiday, people who are looking for ways to give back at a local, state, or national level can find an extensive list of events, opportunities, or groups that need/want help.

This could be anything, starting with writing letters to veterans you know thanking them for their support.

Now, each fall, the U.S. President makes an official proclamation in support of the day.