ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to help providers gain a sense of who older Veterans are, what their health concerns are, and how these healthcare needs may be addressed. It presents an overview of older Veterans, and explains considerations relevant to older Veterans over time. The chapter explores healthcare for older Veterans, and explains implications for clinical practice with older Veterans. Veterans may have come from more advantaged backgrounds or have already completed their education prior to pre-military service and therefore had less time to take advantage of and/or less opportunity to use educational benefits. Among older Veterans, the effects of military service - both positive and negative - remain influential across one or more domains: physical health, mental health, cognitive functioning, social well-being, economic well-being, and relationships. The chapter also presents an overview of - albeit cursory - of factors that are relevant to care for older Veterans: healthcare coverage and benefits; systems of care; and geriatric care.
