Addressing the Aging Healthcare Crisis: Considerations for the Veteran Population

Community-based healthcare providers and services will be increasingly necessary in order to address the needs of the rapidly aging population. Veterans, who comprise an ever-growing percentage of the aging population, present unique challenges to providers and the systems in which they operate. In theory there should be access and priority for veterans within the VA healthcare system, but in reality, numerous constraints exist within both the VA and external healthcare settings. As the number of aging veterans who will require services reaches an all time high, it is critical that practitioners throughout the public health system nationwide understand how to support and work effectively with this population.  This paper considers the so-called "gray tsunami" in the context of the VA system, the Affordable Care Act, and military and veteran culture.  It articulates the unique needs among aging veterans, summarizes what services are needed in relation to what is available, and provides recommendations regarding how community-based support may be further developed to better support the aging veteran population.