Veterans Affair, An Overview ✓ Solved

When it comes to care delivery, organization and communication liaison cannot be overestimated as it plays a great role with customer satisfaction. Liaison is a personal contact for an organization's clients or customers. Community liaison also helps bridge the gap between the organization and the community in terms of special needs/services, outreach, marketing, and smooth communication.

To ensure a great organization-community liaison, the VA has established the Veterans Community Partnerships (VCP). The VCP's primary objective is to ensure that all qualified members and their caregivers have access to a broad range of choices and services. VCP works with the Veteran’s Health Administration to help with community engagement, caregiver support, and volunteer services. VCP continues to improve care delivery through innovative and flexible approaches that assist a VA facility in establishing and nurturing community partnerships that facilitate access to and coordination of the overall health care needs of the VA population (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2017).

The best way to identify these partners is through the Office of Community Engagement (OCE). The VA and GO2 Foundation work together to help raise awareness regarding the importance of lung cancer screening and assessment for veterans at high risk for the disease. Through a community effort, the GO2 Foundation provides additional resources for training, patient education campaigns, and research programs.

In 2017, the VA initiated a partnership with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) called Operation Hero-Animal Bond. This initiative helps pair veterans with rescue animals and encourages them to consider pet ownership. It also encourages veterans to participate in volunteer projects which subsequently will reduce isolation. Through this partnership, OCE and HSUS also examine the benefits pets can bring to veterans.

These medical-legal partnerships connect VA medical facilities and pro bono attorneys. The served population includes those experiencing homelessness and other social challenges. This medical-legal partnership provides legal clinics in the medical facilities which provide free services for noncriminal cases such as family law and disputes between landlords and tenants.

The VA, in an attempt to bridge the gap between community needs and services offered, has created many partnerships which work in coalition with organizations in the VA and the community. While this initiative has helped alleviate some of the issues veterans face regarding care, it has not solved all problems. There are still many issues regarding long-term treatments for veterans. The VA does provide assisted living; however, the co-payment makes it almost impossible to access.

Over the next decade, the number of oldest veterans will increase dramatically. This will result in a 20-25% increase in use for both nursing home and home- and community-based services (Kinosian, Stallard, & Wieland, 2007). The VA currently concentrates the majority of its long-term care resources on nursing home care. Among those receiving long-term care, only a small percentage receives it in the community. A partnership with nonprofit organizations that specialize in assisted living and home health care could dramatically close this gap. For example, they can partner with outside facilities to facilitate home therapy as well as remote therapy.

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Veterans Affairs (VA) play a vital role in ensuring that veterans receive the healthcare and support they need. With the increasing number of veterans, particularly the older population, the demand for effective care and support is rising. The VA has made significant strides in addressing these needs through community partnerships, innovative outreach programs, and ongoing efforts to connect veterans with essential services.

Community liaison has proven to be critical in enhancing the communication between the VA and the veteran community. This communication not only ensures that veterans are aware of the services available to them but also aids in tailoring these services to meet the unique needs of different veteran populations. One of the key components of the VA’s community outreach is the Veterans Community Partnerships (VCP), which aims to broaden the scope of choices and services available to veterans and their caregivers.

The VCP focuses on building relationships with community organizations to facilitate access to resources and support needed by veterans. This proactive approach seeks to bridge the existing gaps in service delivery and address the specific requirements of veterans. Community engagement is paramount to the success of the VCP, as it fosters a collaborative environment where stakeholders can identify and solve issues that affect the veteran population.

Collaboration with organizations like the GO2 Foundation demonstrates the importance of raising awareness about health issues affecting veterans. The initiative to promote lung cancer screening for high-risk veterans exemplifies how targeted community engagement can lead to significant health improvements. By providing training and educational resources, these partnerships empower veterans to take proactive steps toward their health.

Moreover, the partnership with HSUS through Operation Hero-Animal Bond highlights the psychological benefits of companionship through pet ownership. The initiative not only aids in reducing isolation among veterans but also encourages them to engage in meaningful activities with their pets. Such connections are vital for improving the quality of life for veterans and promoting mental well-being.

Furthermore, medical-legal partnerships are crucial in addressing the broader needs of veterans, particularly those facing socio-economic challenges. By providing legal services within healthcare facilities, the VA can address noncriminal legal issues that often accompany health problems, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of veterans.

Despite these efforts, challenges still exist concerning long-term care for veterans. The increasing demographic of older veterans requires a comprehensive strategy to ensure that long-term care services are accessible and affordable. The current reliance on nursing home care does not adequately meet the needs of all veterans, particularly those who could benefit from home-based services.

Moving forward, the VA must continue to seek and establish partnerships with nonprofit organizations focused on assisted living and home health care. This strategic collaboration could lead to innovative solutions that provide veterans with the flexibility they need to receive care in their preferred environment. Expanding resources for remote therapy and home therapy can significantly enhance veterans' healthcare experiences and outcomes.

In conclusion, Veterans Affairs has made commendable progress in providing healthcare and support services to veterans through community partnerships and outreach initiatives. However, continuous efforts are needed to address the evolving needs of the veteran population and ensure that all veterans have access to the care they require. By nurturing these partnerships and exploring innovative solutions, the VA can significantly enhance the quality of life for veterans nationwide.

References

• Department of Veterans Affairs. (2017, August 09). Veteran Community Partnership. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from [website]
• Kinosian, B., Stallard, E., & Wieland, D. (2007). Projected use of long-term-care services by enrolled Veterans. The Gerontologist, 47(3), 356–364.
• GO2 Foundation. (2021). Lung cancer screening initiative. Retrieved from [website]
• Humane Society of the United States. (2017). Operation Hero-Animal Bond. Retrieved from [website]
• American Society of Clinical Oncology. (2020). Lung cancer screening recommendations. Retrieved from [website]
• National Institute on Aging. (2021). Caring for aging veterans: resources and programs. Retrieved from [website]
• Veterans Health Administration. (2020). Community care programs. Retrieved from [website]
• Institute of Medicine. (2014). Veterans and their families: societal impact and care strategies. National Academies Press.
• National Veterans Foundation. (2021). Addressing veteran loneliness and isolation. Retrieved from [website]
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). Long-term care for veterans. Retrieved from [website]