According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently around 300,000 surviving WWII Veterans. These Veterans are now in their 90’s. Many organizations and Veteran groups have made it a mission to honor these World War II Veterans from Honor Flights to the World War II Memorial in D.C. to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. What does it mean to “honor” someone? Meriam-Webster defines it as to regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect. Those who served in WWII, like all military personnel, deserve to be treated with admiration and respect. How? By understanding and supporting them through their current stage of life.

An elderly woman once said, “it took me longer to turn 16 than it did to turn 85”. Most older people would agree. As someone enters this stage in life, it often comes with many changes. Changes they or their family may not be prepared to confront. Here are five common issues older adults may
encounter[1].

Chronic Health Conditions
Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are among the most common chronic health
conditions older adults face. Age-appropriate exercise, balanced meals, and social interaction can
support managing these and other health conditions.

Cognitive Health
This focuses on a person’s ability to think, learn, and remember. The most common cognitive
health issue is dementia. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. By the age
of 85 years and older, between 25 and 50 percent of people display symptoms of dementia, more
specifically Alzheimer’s[2]. According to the National Institute on Aging, other chronic health
conditions and diseases increase the risk of developing dementia, such as substance abuse,
diabetes, hypertension, depression, HIV, and smoking. Harvard Health suggests exercise, a
Mediterranean diet, consistent, good-quality sleep, mental stimulation, and social interaction to
protect an individual from cognitive decline.

Mental Health
A common mental disorder among seniors is depression, occurring in seven percent of the elderly
population. Unfortunately, this mental disorder is often under diagnosed and under treated. Because
depression can be a side effect of chronic health conditions, managing those conditions help.
Additionally, promoting a healthy living lifestyle such as comfortable living conditions and social
support from family, friends, or support groups can help treat depression.

Physical Injury
Every 15 seconds, an older adult is admitted to the emergency room for a fall, making it the
leading cause of injury among the elderly. Because aging causes bones to shrink and muscle to
lose strength and flexibility, seniors are more susceptible to losing their balance, bruising, and
fracturing a bone. However, falls are not inevitable. In many cases, they can be prevented through
education, increased physical activity, and reasonable modifications within the home.

Malnutrition
Often underdiagnosed in older adults and can lead to other elderly health issues, such as a
weakened immune system and muscle weakness. The causes of malnutrition can stem from
other health problems (seniors who have dementia may forget to eat), depression, alcoholism,
dietary restrictions, reduced social contact, and limited income. Committing to small diet
changes, such as increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables and decreasing saturated fat
and salt consumption, can help nutrition issues in the elderly.

These are only some of the changes an older senior may experience. Unfortunately, issues will arise.
Therefore, families need to be aware and look for changes in their loved ones. Openly talk about the changes
and challenges a person faces as they age. This discussion can seem overwhelming, but it does not have to
be.

Older adults and their families do not have to face this alone. Each issue mentioned above and many others
have a common theme: reducing or slowing the health issue. The older adult should exercise, eat healthy
meals, and socialize. Home care services can support each one by providing independence for the senior,
time for the family to just be family, an interaction that prompts exercise, cooking tasty, healthy meals, and
stimulating the brain with activity and socialization.

Aging Veterans and surviving spouses may be eligible for the VA’s benefit Pension with Aid and Attendance to ease the financial burden of paying for much-needed home care. Veterans Care Coordination strives to help as many Veterans and surviving spouses as possible gain access to the home care they need in order to continue living the high-quality life they deserve.

Our partner providers join Veterans Care Coordination in the mission to improve the quality of life for Veterans and their families. We partner with quality home care providers to help navigate the VA’s application process for pension funds, maximize the VA pension funds, and get care started as quickly as possible.

Honor the World War II Veteran in your life by giving them the gift they gave us…Independence.

Sources:

1 Adapted from 10 COMMON ELDERLY HEALTH ISSUES by Texas A&M Health
2 How Dementia Affects People Worldwide by BrainTest

Posted in Care for Aging Veterans, Home Care for Veterans, VA Benefits For Home Care
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About Cheryl Hammons CFE, CSA

Cheryl Hammons is an experienced home care professional, published author, and frequent speaker. She has held several roles throughout her 12 years in the home care industry, including training, support, and operations. She currently serves as Strategic Partnership Director at Veterans Care Coordination where she focuses on building value-driven relationships, developing revenue-generating programs, and creating educational materials for home care partner companies. Cheryl is the author of "Embracing a New Normal: Dealing with Grief" and "Respecting Religious Differences in Home Care."