Veterans Home Care Services
June is PTSD Awareness Month and this is a serious emotional condition that can impact veterans and others in a variety of ways. PTSD isn’t just the result of direct physical trauma, such as what some veterans often experience during active combat, but it can be the result of any extreme emotional distress.
A heart attack, for example, has the potential to cause posttraumatic stress disorder in some individuals. Slipping and falling down the stairs can cause PTSD. Walking down the hall and seeing a spouse of 50 or more years on the floor, unresponsive, and having to call emergency services for help can cause posttraumatic stress disorder.
Any elderly veteran who experiences PTSD should consider the prospect of home care support when that condition begins to impact daily life.
How can PTSD impact daily life?
This emotional condition can affect people in many different ways. For one, it can make it difficult for them to get out of bed, feel positive, eat breakfast, and take care of themselves properly.
Depending on the source of the trauma, that senior may avoid certain situations or people. It can cause them to become more reclusive and avoid even stepping out of the house.
How home care aides can help.
Many home care aides have a great deal of experience working with seniors, including elderly veterans. The more experience people have in this field, the more likely they will be able to encourage those seniors to stay as active as they want to be.
Any elderly veteran who has been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder should certainly seek counseling on a regular basis to help them cope with the emotional issues impacting them on a daily basis. If you have difficulty getting out to a doctor or other therapist, there may be resources available to help bring that type of therapy to their home.
Eating properly and getting exercise are incredibly important to overall good health and well-being. If the elderly veteran is not eating breakfast, lunch, or a healthy dinner, a lack of nutrition can impact their emotional well-being as well.
A home care aide can help prepare healthy meals with or simply for the elderly veteran. It’s vital that family members and friends not dismiss the emotional challenges an elderly veteran might be facing due to posttraumatic stress disorder. If they haven’t been diagnosed and there are concerns about their emotional state of mind, they should be encouraged to seek medical counsel as soon as possible.
If you or an aging veteran are considering veterans home care services and need assistance with the VA Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit, please contact us about the VetAssist Program today. Call 1-888-314-6075.
