Advocate for a vet

To the editor:

Regarding the latest scandal at the VA, I want to mention that my wife’s uncle was advised to opt out of the Veterans Administration and use alternative care. That was in 1945 after he was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. Problems with the VA go back at least that far.

Last year, we witnessed disturbingly bad care of an 84-year old vet interned at the JBER hospital. He had no family in the area and when admitted, my wife, who is a retired specialist in care for the aged and a veteran herself, chose to advocate for him. We visited him at JBER several times and had the opportunity to observe the care he was receiving and the attitude of staff.

It was clear to us that staff was treating him as if he were there just to die. Staff appeared “kind,” but also appeared indifferent.

Here’s just one example: This man, who had served our country through three wars (World War II, Korean and Vietnam), was immobile and needed to be turned at regular intervals. This means that his body should have been repositioned so that his weight was not always on the same part of his body. This alleviates pressure ulcers and other problems.

Upon observing what the staff considered to be “turning,” my wife advised the staff that they were not doing so correctly. The response was push back. I witnessed naked hostility on the face of a nurse.

This man is gone now. His children took him home and he had a last few weeks in a nursing home, where he was treated appropriately. For a change.

Sure, we can vote, and we can hope that if General Shinseki doesn’t work like a man on fire to alleviate problems he can be replaced by someone who will. But each of us can also do something that makes a difference, and maybe more of a difference than government can. We can “adopt” a vet. If we know of a vet that does not have a family that advocates for him or her, then be an advocate.

Care at the VA begins with staff. With high-functioning citizens interacting with staff on the behalf of ill veterans, we may see changes that our government cannot or will not do. I’m not suggesting that staff be harassed or humiliated. Be polite, professional and consistent. Make the care of veterans transparent. Take pictures, document. You can make a difference.

Tim Johnson

Palmer