Aging & Senior Services
You can provide quality service to aging veterans and their families by helping older veterans feel understood and respected for their military service, making effective referrals to military-veteran-specific programs and resources, helping military widows access survivor benefits.
Have You Ever Served In The Military?
One question can make a big difference…
Why Ask The Question
Over 72% of our NH veterans are over age 55. As a provider of services to older adults, you will encounter veterans and spouses/widows of veterans. Whether you are providing health care, financial counseling, caregiver services, residential care, or any other service for seniors, it is important to identify veterans and their family members. One question can and will make a big difference!
Ask The Question
At the point of intake, ask, "Have you or a family member ever served in the military?"
When the answer is "yes," you may consider thanking them for their service. You may also then be able to find out more about your client's military history that will help you to provide the best possible services and referrals. Asking further questions will also help you to:
- Build rapport and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Link to any needed military/veteran resources and referrals, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify any mental health and/or physical and medical issues that need to be considered
- Identify potential sources of income and assess financial stability
- Explore areas of functioning in need of support, as well as existing supports, services, and resources
- Address perceived barriers to seeking support and services
Questions To Ask Your Veteran
Following are some questions that could be asked in the context of gathering information for more effective referrals and services. Pay attention to non-verbal cues, and show respect, curiosity, and empathy. Also be aware that responsiveness and effective follow-up are critical to building trust and rapport.
When did you/your family member serve? What service era? Which Branch?
- Build rapport with the parent and child and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
In what ways may your need for services here be connected to your/your family member's military service?
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
Is your child facing or has recently faced a family member's deployment or military duty away from home? If yes, when?
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
Are you/your family member enrolled/connected to the VA or other veteran resource or organizations for support or services?
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
What types of support are needed but not yet met?
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
What reservations did you/your child have about coming in to seek support and assistance? Is there anything that might be a barrier to further seeking assistance?
- Address perceived barriers to the child or parent(s) in seeking support