National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
HAP Partnership Impact
September is Healthy Aging Month: Many VHA partnerships and programs help support older Veterans
September is Healthy Aging Month, observed each year to encourage people to take charge of their physical, mental, and social well-being as they age. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), the median age of male Veterans is 65 and the median age of female Veterans is 51.
Many Veterans Health Administration (VHA) partnerships specifically support older Veterans. Within VHA, the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP) supports partnerships with the Arthritis Foundation, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), and the American Cancer Society, among many others.
The Arthritis Foundation
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three Veterans is diagnosed with arthritis. Arthritis most commonly affects people 65 and older. Together, VHA and the Arthritis Foundation (AF) increase access to care, education, and support for Veterans diagnosed with arthritis. VHA offers support for Veterans diagnosed with arthritis through primary care, rheumatology clinics, and health care and treatment research done by the Office of Research and Development. This partnership makes more services available in addition to what VHA already offers. AF has online resources on arthritis self-management, creating a diet plan to reduce swelling, and ways to manage pain.
MAZON and FRAC
Two VHA partnerships focus on food security for Veterans, including older Veterans. A 2020 report from Feeding America found that 7.3% of the senior population (60 and older) is food insecure. People who are food insecure lack consistent access to enough food for a healthy life. VA’s partnership with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger assists food-insecure Veterans by creating strategies to reduce the number of Veterans who are at risk of food insecurity. VHA and FRAC work to connect Veterans to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutrition programs.
American Cancer Society
According to VA’s Office of Research and Development, approximately 40,000 cancer cases are reported to VA’s Central Cancer Registry annually, and, according to the National Cancer Institute, the median patient age at the time of a cancer diagnosis is 66. American Cancer Society, Inc. (ACS) is collaborating with VHA with an emphasis on lung cancer education and resources for those diagnosed with cancer. ACS has a support line (1-800-227-2345) in addition to the information and resources available on its website. HAP supports many cancer-related partnerships: Read more here.
Additionally, the Older Veteran Behavioral Health Resource Inventory, created by VHA’s Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, provides resources for health care professionals to help them support older Veterans who have or are at risk for behavioral health conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal ideation.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental health disorder; and despite higher rates of PTSD, older Veterans are less likely to seek mental health services. To address these concerns, the inventory outlines VA resources like VA Mental Health, VA Benefits for Elderly Veterans, and VA Community Care. The inventory offers information health care professionals can use to treat older Veterans with behavioral health conditions, which promotes healthy living for Veterans as they age. VHA’s Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care can also serve as a valuable resource for older Veterans.
For more information on HAP partnerships, please visit: va.gov/healthpartnerships.
External Link Disclaimer: This page contains links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
Posted August 31, 2021
