Veteran’s Elderly Care – Consider the Specific Needs of Your Elderly Veteran with PTSD
Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not an easy thing for the millions of people who have been diagnosed with it, and for veterans –elderly and otherwise – it can offer them many challenges they never thought they’d have to face.
Getting the proper care for PTSD is the best way to deal with it and when you’re talking about home care for senior veterans, that’s to ensure they get the optimal care through a qualified counselor first. Elderly veterans may be dealing with a number of other issues in their life besides PTSD, so there are several things to focus on that can make a world of difference for them.
First, consider the physical needs of the elderly veteran. If he has trouble getting around because of a loss of strength that’s the result of aging, then he may need a home care aide. This aide would be able to help him get out of bed, get dressed in the morning, go to the bathroom, take a shower, prepare meals, and much more.
This individual would need to understand the issues that the veteran has with regard to PTSD as well. Some people may not respond or react well to certain situations. It’s all going to depend on the cause of that PTSD. A home care aide or even a family member who is not acutely aware of the underlying mental illness this veteran is dealing with could inadvertently cause anxiety and stress through the process of providing care.
If the veteran hasn’t yet sought counseling to help him deal with the issues he’s facing, then this is something that should certainly be explored. No one can force another individual to accept counseling (aside from court orders), but family and even friends might be able to convince him that this would be a positive thing for his mental and emotional well-being.
PTSD doesn’t always show outward symptoms. The veteran could be withdrawn, they could avoid groups, or they could have certain reactions to various stimuli. Proper care begins by fully understanding the challenges these veterans might be facing at any given time.
For any family member concerned about their elderly veteran who may have been diagnosed with PTSD (or who could be undiagnosed), this is an important consideration when hiring home care.
For more information and to learn about veteran’s care, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
