The Changing Dynamics of Providing Health Care to Older Veterans in the 21st Century: How Do We Best Serve Those Who Have Borne the Battle?

Sullivan JL, Davila H, Rosen AK. The Changing Dynamics of Providing Health Care to Older Veterans in the 21st Century: How Do We Best Serve Those Who Have Borne the Battle? GSA 75th Anniversary. Kaskie B, editor. Public Policy & Aging Report: Gerontological Society of America; 2019 Dec 2. 3-5 p. Report No.: 30.

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) is the largest provider of health-care services to older adults in the United States. Almost half (47%) of the 9 million veterans who currently receive health care through the VA are aged 65 and older (Greenstone et al., 2019), with close to 1.2 million 85 years. Similar to the aging U.S. population, as veterans age, they are at higher risk for developing chronic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. However, compared to their civilian counterparts, veterans have higher rates of depression, other mental health conditions, and substance use disorders, as well as higher rates of homelessness and suicide (Kaye et al., 2015). Thus, ensuring that older veterans receive the highest quality of care requires coordinated, interdisciplinary care, as well as a health-care system that has both the infrastructure and leadership commitment to promote continued innovation and quality improvement.