Mental health needs of older veterans

PTSD Symptoms and Dementia in Older Veterans Who are Living in Long-Term Care

Co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and dementia can result in increased symptoms, such as suspicion, aggression, and nightmares in Veterans that can be difficult to manage in long-term care environments. The objective of the study was to explore how the co-occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and dementia are understood in Canadian Veterans who are living in long-term care. A descriptive multiple case study was conducted in two Veteran long-term care facilities in Canada. Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews with Veterans, their family caregivers, and health care providers, non-participant observation, and a chart audit. Three major themes emerged relating to symptom expression and care approach: a) symptoms are the same but different; b) differences in the complexity of care; and c) added dimensions involved in care. The results of this study contribute foundational information about co-occurring posttraumatic and dementia symptoms that can inform policy, care approaches, and potential interventions.

Perceptions of Determinants of Successful Aging Among Older U.S. Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a qualitative study of older American veterans' subjective perceptions of factors that contribute to successful physical, emotional, and cognitive aging.

METHODS

A nationally representative sample of 2,025 veterans aged 60 or older (range: 60-96; 96.9% male, 39.4% combat veterans) participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Using qualitative analysis software, the authors coded responses to three open-ended questions, inductively developed categories, aggregated similar categories into factors, and grouped factors into broader themes.

RESULTS

A total of 53, 56, and 61 categories of responses was identified in response to questions about successful physical, cognitive, and emotional aging, respectively, with 10 aggregate factors linking these categories. The most prominent theme overall was "What you do," which received 2,295, 2,210, and 1,247 mentions for each of these domains of successful aging, with health behaviors the most common factor for both successful physical and cognitive aging and social engagement the most common for successful emotional aging. The theme "Who you are" was the second-most common factor (discerned from 376, 247, and 943 total mentions, respectively), with the factors that comprise this theme-personality and explanatory style, moral compass, and emotional dispositions-more commonly endorsed for successful emotional aging. External factors such as healthcare were least commonly endorsed across all domains.

CONCLUSION

Older U.S. Veterans emphasize health behaviors, social engagement, and dispositional characteristics as key determinants of successful aging. Prevention and treatment initiatives that target these potentially modifiable factors may help promote successful aging in this growing segment of the population.