Editor’s note: This article is the second in a series of two.
By Larry Dandridge
Last week’s article alerted readers that many elderly veterans are at risk of missing out on their valuable federal (VA) and state veterans’ benefits. It also provided good news in that VA-accredited Veterans Servcie Officers, Veterans Servcie Organizations, and the VA are actively trying to find and help as many elderly veterans as possible who are not able to advocate for themselves — and help them find out what their benefits are and how to apply for those benefits and services.
Last week’s article also offered advice on how anyone can help elderly veterans. That article included questions anyone can ask that could help the veteran understand their VA benefits, services, and key VA players to contact for help. Article 1 can be read at https://bit.ly/45u0je7.
More than 18.2 Veterans are over age 65
According to the 2015-2019 American Community Survey and the VA webpage “Veterans — Elderly Veterans” at https://bit.ly/460BXc4, the veteran population ages 65 or older numbered in excess of 18.2 million. These veterans served in conflicts around the world and the VA will provide benefits and services that address a variety of issues including the changing health risks they face, as well as financial challenges through VA benefits and health services.
More questions to ask elderly veterans
This week’s article will provide more helpful advice for elderly veterans on the tremendous importance of knowing who their Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT Team) social worker is and who their VA Medical Center Patient Advocates are. The following is a list of more questions anyone can ask an elderly veteran to help them understand who the key people are at their local VA Medical Center.
Do you know who your VA Social Worker is? If a veteran does not know who their PACT Team or other assigned social worker is and does not have the phone number to get in touch with their social worker, they are missing out on knowing who to call to find out what elderly veterans benefits and services are available to them. One way to find a VA social worker in their area is at the “VHA SOCIAL WORK Directory of Social Work Leaders” webpage (search engine) at https://bit.ly/4rfsSEw.
Some Social Worker Leaders in SC and NC
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (RHJVAMC) is located at 109 Bee Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401, Phone: 843-577-5011. The RHJVAMC Social Worker Leader is Raven Neal, at email Raven.Neal@va.gov.
The William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center (WJBDVAMC) is located at 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, S.C. 29209, Phone: 803-776-4000. The WJBDVAMC Social Worker Leader is Sherree L. Colvin at email Sherree.Colvin@va.gov.
The Fayetteville, N.C., VA Medical Center (FVAMC) is located at 2300 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, N.C. 28301, Phone: 910-488-2120. The FCAMC Lead Social Worker is Ryan Hylton, at Email Ryan.Hylton@va.gov.
The Durham, N.C. VA Medical Center (DVAMC) is located at 508 Fulton Street, Durham, N.C. 27705, Phone: 919-286-0411. The DVAMC Social Worker Leader is Lindsey J. Arledge at email Lindsey.Arledge@va.gov.
Learn more about VA Social Workers in the following The Island News articles:
- “Veterans must know their VA social worker” by Larry Dandridge, dated Oct. 23, 2024, https://bit.ly/49Izw0f.
- “Veterans should know their VA Social Worker!” by Larry Dandridge, dated July 21, 2021, https://bit.ly/49GYj4H.
Do you know what your VA Elderly Veterans Benefits are?
Tell the veteran that their local VA-accredited Veterans Servcie Officer (VSO) will be happy to go over all of the veterans benefits with them and help them apply for those benefits. Also tell the veteran that their PACT Team’s Social Worker will also be happy to go over all of the VA Healthcare benefits and services for elderly veterans.
Elderly Veteran Benefits
Elderly Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, Veteran Readiness and Employment, and burial. See the “Veterans” webpage https://bit.ly/3M0RyBw for an overview of the benefits available to veterans.
Do you know what VA Healthcare for elderly veterans may include?
Tell the veteran that Geriatrics is health care for elderly veterans with complex needs. Extended care — also known as long term care — includes programs for veterans of all ages who need daily support and assistance. Elderly Veterans can receive geriatric and long-term care programs at home, at VA medical centers, or in the community.
- Geriatrics Program. Learn more at https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/.
- Long Term Care. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4t09tZJ,
- Eligibility for Long Term Care. Learn more at https://bit.ly/49TIlD1.
- Home Based and Community Services (Homemaker& Home Health Aide Care, Skilled Home Health Care, Home Based primary Care, Veteran-Directed Care, Adult Day Care, Respite Care, Telehealth, Palliative Care, and Hospice care). Learn more at https://bit.ly/4bRZ10i.
- Nursing Home and Residential Care (Community Residential Care, Medical Foster Homes, Adult Family Homes, TBI Residential Rehab, and Assisted Living). Learn more at https://bit.ly/45zmUGa, https://bit.ly/4qM9GhV, https://bit.ly/462ZJ7e, https://bit.ly/4qTnGWU, and https://bit.ly/4pZxihC.
- Geriatrics Research. Learn more about Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) at https://www.va.gov/Grecc/.
Learn more about Elderly Veterans Benefits at:
- https://bit.ly/460ChHO.
- https://www.va.gov/health/.
- https://bit.ly/3LN9aB1.
- https://www.va.gov/disability/.
- https://bit.ly/45B76mm.
- https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
- https://bit.ly/45Adnyx.
- https://bit.ly/4t71eLO.
- https://bit.ly/4rfNYCG.
- https://bit.ly/4jY8Xrc.
- https://bit.ly/4agIYb6.
- https://bit.ly/4sVVpR3.
Do you know how and why to contact your VA Patient Advocate?
The RHJVAMC “Patient Advocate” web page https://bit.ly/4sVVAvH says, “The patient advocates at VA Charleston health care are specially trained to help you resolve issues with your care. If you’ve experienced any problems that you have not been able to resolve by talking with your care team, please reach out to one of our patient advocates.” Patient Advocates at every VA Medical Center offer to help with:
- Patient concerns with the care team;
- Advocating for patient and family rights.
The RHJVA Medical Center and Healthcare System Patient Advocate Office Phone number is 843-789-6066. Learn more about Patient Advocates at the “Patient Advocate” webpage https://bit.ly/3ZyWUHn and in The Island News article “Veterans’ Health Customer Service (Patient Advocates)”, by Larry Dandridge, dated Jan. 31, 2024, https://bit.ly/3M8UfRE.
The bottom line
Elderly veterans need to know who the following key people are to ensure they get their federal and state veterans’ benefits:
- Their local VA-Accredited Veterans Service Officer.
- VA Medical Center PACT Team Members (especially their Social Worker).
- VA Medical Center Transportation Officer and the DAV (Transportation) Servcie Coordinator.
- VA Medical Center or CBOC Patient Advocate.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a former Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA and Durham VA Medical Centers, a Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for his local AUSA Chapter and VFW Post 7383. Larry is also the author of the award-winning Blades of Thunder (Book One) and a contributing freelance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
