title: The health and service needs of older veterans: a qualitative analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With substantial numbers of older people within the Australian veteran population continuing to age well within the community, appropriate planning of community support and health services is important for this ageing population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this research study was to investigate the health and service usage of a group of older Australian war veterans who receive Australian Government support for their health-care needs and conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper reports on qualitative data gathered from the longitudinal MELSHA study. Utilizing thematic analysis and the theoretical framework of locus of control, this article reports on 25 qualitative interviews of veterans and their widows about their DVA-related health and service usage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants within this study were determined to maintain a sense of control and independence in relation to their living circumstances and service usage. In doing so, they attempted to maintain their current community living circumstances and independence while minimizing their utilization of services and perceived 'burden' on family members and friends. Participants accepted that a decline in health status was inevitable, but engaged in a number of different strategies to maintain their current way of life for as long as possible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants, while valuing an internal locus of control, generally engaged in an integrative locus of control to maintain a sense of control and independence in their daily lives. In addition, participants were very grateful of the services provided by the DVA and acknowledged their role in maintaining their independence within the community.
authors.affiliation: Healthy Ageing Research Unit, Primary Care Research Unit, School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, Notting Hill, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Research Unit, School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, Notting Hill, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Marissa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dickins
authors.affiliation: School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, Notting Hill, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Colette J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Browning
authors.affiliation: School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, Notting Hill, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Tiasha S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: DeSoysa
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014728:Veterans
keywords: ageing; health; independence; qualitative; service usage; veterans