Is caring for veterans difficult?

New live-in carers often fear that they may not be able to do their job or do it well enough. Caring for a veteran may be one aspect which scares them. There is no reason to fear this placement. With a little forethought, this can be one of the most rewarding positions you accept.

So, what’s the difference?

A veteran has more than likely been injured in some way. Your veteran client can be any age, not only in advanced years. In fact, anyone who has returned from fighting a war is classed as a veteran.

Veterans have probably, during their time at war, acted against their core beliefs, in that they needed to kill or be killed. There may be some actions which come back to haunt them during later years.

It is a very sad fact that a veteran commits suicide every 65 seconds. There are also over 21 million veterans who are alive, many of them needing care.

When caring for a veteran client there are some differences in the issues that you and they face.

Traumatic brain injury – a staggering 20% of veterans have this issue which displays itself in:

• Memory loss
• Mental fog
• Loss of concentration
• Headaches
• Ringing in the ears and vomiting

Amputation

Depression

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears

Fibromyalgia – over half of all veterans suffer from musculoskeletal pain

Chronic fatigue, making it incredibly difficult to function in normal life

Alcoholism

Recurring nightmares

Disfigurement such as burn scars

 

How do I approach this?

The first thing to do as a live-in carer for a veteran is to accept that they are not what you class as a ‘usual’ client. They are different from old people who have conditions such as Dementia or frailty. 

Veterans simply present a different set of conditions which need another type of care. Once you have accepted your veteran client as a person, despite how he looks or moves, or speaks, you will be able to learn the best way to care for him.

Often there is a certain amount of embarrassment in going out because people tend to stare at any type of disfigurement. Your veteran may have unsightly scarring or perhaps an amputation. He may stutter or shake. He may feel uncomfortable just going out because of the reactions he gets. It is your job to show him that you are on his side against the world. Together you need to put up a united front so that he knows you are on his side and will stand by him.

Understand his pain. He may be in pain all the time, or only at certain times. Be aware that he may not tell you so watch for body language that indicated all is not well.

Talk to him. Remember that what has happened to him has been a huge part of his life. While many veterans do not want to talk about what happened to them, your veteran still have the need for regular conversation. Unlike your client with advanced mental health issues, the veteran may simply want to talk to someone without having to explain why he did things.

 

To sum up

Veterans are no different from any other people in basic needs of nutrition and care. What differs is the way this may need to be carried out.

What you should remember is that your veteran client has done what he thought was right, and he has paid the price for it. Be kind and understanding, never judgemental.

Always ask yourself if you would like to be in his position and treat him as you would like to be treated yourself – with dignity and kindness.

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