title: Perceived benefits of VFW post participation for older adults.
abstract: Older adults, as active members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), describe multiple benefits of participation in the organization to their overall well-being. This qualitative study examined the perspectives of 20 active participants of a VFW Post and its Ladies Auxiliary. Findings indicate that, for the study participants, the VFW serves as a primary source of cross-generational influence, emotional support, and meaningful activity and provides a safe and secure environment for members. This article provides valuable information that social work researchers and practitioners can use to help increase older adults' civic engagement and address service gaps.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66044–3184, USA. skyel@ku.edu
authors.forename: Skye N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Leedahl
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ekerdt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*