April 14, 2014 - Irene Cain, social work program manager in extended care at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, is fielding more calls, seeing more veterans and handling more cases as veterans from past wars reach their later years. As the number of senior veterans increases, the VA is adding more and diverse programs of care in Houston, at the VA Medical Center and through contracts with local senior caregivers.In many instances, older veterans may be widowed with no family close by.
"Depending on the needs of that veteran who is virtually alone, and they live within a 50-mile radius of the VA Medical Center or one of our outpatient clinics in Beaumont and Lufkin, we can usually see them at home," Cain said. "We will conduct an assessment of the veteran's needs, look for any safety issues in their home and talk with their caregiver.
"If there is no caregiver, we will provide services of a physician, nurse, dietician, psychologist, any needed therapy and a social worker," Cain said. "We also, based on the veteran's needs, will send a homemaker/home health aide."
The VA also contracts with six adult day-care facilities around greater Houston. read more>>>
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