Addressing post-traumatic mental health

Understanding older veterans in the community: Who are they and what are their health and social care needs?

Researchers: Georgina Johnstone, Marissa Dickins, Liz Cyarto, Judy Lowthian
Study population: Home and Community support client database
Funding support: Defence Health Foundation

Caring for veterans and their dependants is integral to Bolton Clarke’s history. By analysing our at home support service data gathered over a 10-year period, we are investigating the health and social care needs of more than 13,000 older people supported by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

We know these individuals have an average age of 86 years. We are comparing veterans, those supporting veterans and the general community, to identify how the experience of ageing differs for veterans and how we can best support their complex health and social care needs.