Welcome Wisdom

Serving Our Older Veterans

by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management

This month Elder Care Management will proudly continue our support and sponsorship of the Mission to Honor Veterans event. This is the fourth year that our community outreach coordinator, Maureen Lawrence, has represented Elder Care Management at this event which honors local veterans with a virtual tour of the National War Memorials. Many veterans are unable to travel to experience these memorials and the sentiment they represent for the service and sacrifice provided by American service men and women. Mission to Honor Veterans is a day set aside, especially for them. At the event location, attendees are greeted with flags waving and patriotic music playing before being escorted to their seats for the virtual trip to Washington D.C. as a dynamic emcee acts as their tour guide. During their ‘tour,’ each war and military service memorial is visited, and they are joined by honorary guests who express their thanks to the veterans. Participants are treated to a light breakfast, and hot lunch, and receive a Mission to Honor Veterans shirt, event Challenge Coin, patriotic lap blanket, a handful of Mail Call letters from the community, and a commemorative photo.

Our support of Mission to Honor Veterans is just one aspect of our efforts to serve those seniors who have served our country. Our staff of Aging Life Care professionals recognize some of the unique challenges that arise from working with veterans. Veteran benefits vary widely based on service and discharge parameters. Medical care, medication, medical equipment, housing, home based care, and long-term care, are all aspects of VA care that can take diligence and advocacy to access. Elder Care Management care managers understand how the VA system provides services. We routinely ask clients if they have a service history to help identify any programs they may qualify for now or in the future. Care managers recognize that some veterans may carry memories of conflict that continue to trouble them or because of certain experiences they may avoid talking about their service. Others may bear the physical effects of injury during battle or service. We remain sensitive to their needs while continuing to honor their service by helping to ensure they receive the benefits and support to which they are entitled.

We are grateful for our veterans and hope that all honored at this year’s Mission to Honor Veterans event feel commended for their service to our country.

 
Categories: veterans, Welcome Wisdom