title: Person-centered older military veteran care when there are consequences.
abstract: The consequences of each war present themselves in many ways and differently within a veteran's lifetime. For civilian nurses to give applicable, vital care to the older veteran, they need to deeply appreciate the military culture, the strength of the ethos, as well as the various health concerns connected with the individual war/conflict. Attentiveness to the evolving health issues of older veterans are a priority at a time when many personal developmental changes are also creating life stressors for the Vietnam veterans and they are often presenting to civilian health facilities for their care. This article explores the controversial war within Vietnam (1955-1973), and the use of the universal question of "Have you ever served in the military?" An incremental veteran health assessment is discussed in order to care for the specific, prior-era physical/behavioral issues of post-traumatic stress disorder, Agent Orange, military sexual trauma, hepatitis C, and homelessness that are discussed for these men and women veterans, along with a rationale for their long-term presence, which is still evident today. Other relevant nursing interventions for veterans are suggested such as reminiscing, and art/animal-assisted therapy to supplement their medical care.
authors.affiliation: 5324 Kibler Road, Van Buren, AR 72956, USA. Electronic address: conardpatti@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Patricia L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Conard
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA. Electronic address: myrna.armstrong@ttuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Myrna L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.affiliation: Harris College of Nursing, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA. Electronic address: c.young@tcu.edu.
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA. Electronic address: darlene.lacy@ttuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Darlene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lacy
authors.affiliation: 711 Hart Street, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657, USA. Electronic address: lynda.Billings@ttuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Billings
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D014728:Veterans; D058014:Veterans Health
keywords: Agent Orange; Animal-assisted and art therapy; Homelessness; Men; Military sexual trauma; Military veteran; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Reminiscing; Vietnam War; Women