VA social worker

We work with a VA geriatric team for cognitive issues. The team is excellent. We had zoom meetings with social workers, speech therapist, nurse, pharmacist. Ask to place a geriatric psychiatrist on the team. They will be able to help with medication if necessary for behavioral issues. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is also an excellent resource. They help vets and their caregivers. They have an intake form on their website.

we also received excellent help and care through the VA. The Social Worker was excellent for me. They have caregiver training that you must take. They sent a nurse to our home to evaluate our needs. If you are unable to leave your LO alone they will approve respite care so many hours per year. The agency they used in FL was Assisting Hands. The caregiver they sent was excellent. He called her “his lady” I got a monthly stipend for caring for my husband. There are qualifications for that. Definitely ask for Geriatric Psychiatrist. They are best to prescribe and manage meds for dementia. Ask the pharmacy to look at statin drugs. Some can worsen cognitive issues. I had to place my husband in Mc due to my cancer diagnosis. It was $6000 per month. I completed the paperwork to have him transferred to a VA MC facility 2 months later. He received excellent care there. If your husband is 100% disabled, the VA facility is at no charge and you get to keep his disability pension until he passes. My husband was happy there with other veterans until his dementia progressed and he became bedridden.

@Bailey's Mom "Apparently if HWD does not want to go to the ER they will not take him (that would certainly be the outcome). "

I'd review your legal papers and see if you don't have the authority under one of them to be able to tell the paramedics - I can decide his care. Hopefully , the PCP or a geri-psych doctor can find the right Rx mix to avoid such an anger outburst and it won't come to that .

We finally signed up fot VA health care. DH is 77, was in the army 3 yrs and has had other health care since he got discharged. After reading about catastrophic disability, I encouraged DH to sign up. We spent yrs trying to get a diagnosis from Kaiser. He's had 3 strokes, cardiovascular disease, emphysema, 2 vascular surgeries and has 3 aortic aneurysms. His medical record says cognitive disorder....rather vague. Ive been told likely VD from the strokes. Cognitive issues began with executive fuction drfecits. He does not want more tests, drs visits, etc but I know the VA will probably order them. I have heard they review his Kaiser records with release of info authorization. He is not far enough along to qualify for catastrophic disability but i am hoping resources will be avail in the future. Our income is too much for some of their programs. His mobility is really declining, struggles to stand from sitting, can't stand long unsupported and even with a walker can only walk very short distances. Does the VA offer anything for vets that aren't catastrophically disabled yet??? I know it's coming and want our ducks in a row. We haven't seen the VA dr for the first visit yet. Any advice would be appreciated.

Was he in Vietnam? Exposed to Agent Orange? If so heart disease is on the list. So is Alzheimer’s. If he was exposed he should file disability claims.

Hi,I worked with social Workers in a VA Hospital for 23 years. A good social worker is worth their weight in gold and can be your best hope for any kind of assistance you need. By all means get in touch with one and get help. I'm sure there are more good programs and help now than when I worked with them.