Category: VA

Retired Army Veteran Michael Hanna is always looking for activities to keep him busy. Bike rides, swimming—R&R, as he calls it. But when he heard about an opportunity to support other Veterans in his community through Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS), he knew he had to get involved.   Hanna now volunteers at the…

“Telehealth saved my life,” said Vincent DeMarro, a Veteran with parkinsonism in West Chester, Pennsylvania. “It’s pretty amazing how the whole telehealth team comes together. It reminds me sometimes of fantasy football. I feel like I have a dream team.”  Before getting connected with his current “dream team” of telehealth providers, DeMarro spent years suffering…

Empowering the Spirit, an evidence-based curriculum, is combining the compassionate care of chaplains and nurses into a unique spiritual care bundle to help Veterans at risk for suicide. Launched as a 12-week pilot program in March, the initiative invites Veterans to explore their spirituality and discover how it can bring them hope, healing and connection.…

In New Mexico, one third of the population lives in a rural area. Older New Mexican Veterans often need to travel long distances to receive needed services. However, innovations at VA New Mexico Health Care System have changed how hundreds of Veterans receive their care. Supporting Community Outpatient, Urgent care & Telehealth Services (SCOUTS) is…

Searching for and applying to jobs can feel overwhelming and stressful, from weeding through hundreds of listings to finding the right fit to ensuring your resume is formatted properly with each application. Luckily, having a strong understanding of what to expect can help job seekers feel prepared and confident to tackle their search. Keep reading…

Your surroundings—whether it’s the clutter on your desk or the view from your window—play a powerful role in your health. From organizing your space to connecting with nature, simple changes can improve your mood, reduce stress and support your Whole Health. Declutter your space, clear your mind Clutter isn’t just a mess—it something that can…

Mark Twain said, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” Princess Diana said, “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the…

For Jacob Robertson, athleticism is more than medals—it’s a mindset. The Army National Guard Veteran enlisted in 2010 right after graduating high school. In 2014, a motorcycle accident would change the course of his life forever, but not his spirit. Now in his second year as a novice at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, he…

Naloxone, also known as Narcan®, is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, restore breathing and buy critical time for emergency responders to arrive. It is available as a nasal spray and is free of charge to all Veterans. VA facilities across the country are leading the way in…

Relocating across the country can be challenging. Adapting to a new home and community while transitioning to a new health care team adds to the complexity. This was especially true for a 65-year-old Veteran residing at the Reno VA Community Living Center in Nevada. Recently, he underwent an above-the-knee amputation and was working with his…

As “One Big Family, Driven by Hope,” we can reduce the risk of overdose and save lives. Whether you’re a Veteran or a family member or friend of a Veteran, VA has resources to help. This International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, VA is amplifying the message: opioid use (like fentanyl) and stimulant use (like…

Veterans from across the country came to San Diego to participate in the 18th National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic. Nearly 150 recently injured Veterans were welcomed at the opening ceremony at Petco Park, sponsored by the Veterans Canteen Service. VA leaders shared messages of encouragement and support as the Clinic officially got underway. The 18th…