In a world defined by technological advancements and digital innovation, the concepts of privacy, security and convenience have taken center stage. Convenience allows everyday tasks to be simpler, faster and more efficient. However, with the constant connectivity and data-driven nature of our activities, the balance between privacy, cybersecurity and convenience is delicate, but critical. The…
Keep an eye out for glaucoma
More than 4 million Americans live with glaucoma, including at least 1.5 million with symptoms that limit their eyesight. Glaucoma is an eye disease that begins when the optic nerve is damaged, often from a buildup of eye pressure, and can result in vision loss and even blindness. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of…
Upcoming sign-in changes protect Veteran data
Jan. 28 is Data Privacy Day, which marks the importance of safeguarding personal information online and preparing for sign-in changes. VA is committed to ensuring Veteran information is protected and that our technologies meet modern security standards. That is why two major changes are coming to how Veterans, caregivers and beneficiaries sign in to VA…
Your online presence: Shhh! It’s not their business
In today’s interconnected world, managing your online presence is more important than ever. Simple actions can make a significant difference in safeguarding your data and privacy on social media and gaming platforms and the internet, which are all increasingly targeted by bad actors. These bad actors want your personal information to use for their own…
Live Whole Health #258: Get SMART!
It’s the third week of January. Where are your new year’s resolutions? Are you on track exactly following your plan? Maybe you’re losing steam? Or maybe, like a lot of people, you have completely let them go. When our goals aren’t “SMART,” we struggle to succeed. SMART Goals Make your resolutions or goals SMART. This…
VetResources Community Network Catalyst Award application is now open
At the VetResources Community Network (VRCN), we believe in the power of community and the transformative potential of all Veteran-community serving organizations and teams. It is with this spirit in mind that we challenge U.S.-based non-profit teams and organizations who are making strides to create impactful change to support our Veterans, their families, caregivers and/or…
The push to get back into the Wheelchair Games
For Marine Corps Veteran Mark Stulz, it was his recreational therapist, Janelle Gustafson, who convinced him to get on a plane and go to the National Veteran Wheelchair Games in New Orleans in July 2024. “I shot the targets and sent them in.” “She kept twisting my arm. Then she twisted both legs. She said…
PTSD treatment works: Resources from the National Center for PTSD
Some people who’ve lived through a traumatic event—such as combat, a serious accident, sexual assault, or a natural disaster—will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTSD, like flashbacks or avoiding certain places or people that remind you of the event, can make daily life challenging. After experiencing a traumatic event, it’s normal to feel…
Exploring Rural VA Communities: Fort Meade, South Dakota
Like the Veterans we serve, rural communities are as diverse and exciting as you can imagine. For many, they offer an opportunity to be closer to family and friends, while some may just enjoy a greater sense of privacy. Perhaps the lower cost of living or even the allure of open space is appealing. Regardless…
Navigating PTSD in the workplace
In this episode of the PTSD Bytes podcast, host Dr. Colleen Becket-Davenport discusses the relationship between PTSD and workplace environments with Dr. Elissa McCarthy, a clinical psychologist and consultant at the National Center for PTSD’s Consultation Program and the national lead for the VA’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Program. Challenges of PTSD in professional…
Achieve your New Year’s resolutions with VA resources
Many people have begun thinking about their New Year’s resolutions. However, setting goals that are both realistic and sustainable in the long term can be challenging. VA offers a variety of tools and resources that can help both Veterans and their caregivers set and track achievable goals for the new year. Here are five VA…
Enhancing the Veteran experience through VR
Charles Tubbs is using immersive technology and virtual reality (VR) to enhance the inpatient discharge experience for Veterans. Charles Tubbs, Air Force Veteran Tubbs, an 21-year Air Force Veteran and Customer Experience Innovation supervisor with the Veterans Experience Office (VEO), first learned about immersive technology when his office had an opportunity to use VR to…