Page 20 - SUMMER 2017 The Voice Of Independent Pharmacy

FEATURE
“ The management of

mental health issues
CARING FOR OUR
among elderly veterans

is of the utmost

importance given the
level of service that ELDERLY VETERANS

they have provided

to the country.
“
lderly veterans represent a special The addition of combat exposure with the
group within the general population aging process can contribute to cognitive de-
and appropriate and timely treat- cline and present with other conditions among
ment is paramount for this unique veterans, so it is important for healthcare pro-
Epopulation. The ability to gain ac- fessionals to be aware of the hallmark signs
cess to immediate medical and mental health and symptoms of this condition to manage in
services has been at the forefront of discus- a timely manner. Elderly veterans represent an
sion within recent years and with this came invaluable group of people and ensuring that
more focus on the type and quality of services they receive the best care possible regard-
that were being provided to this group. less of the condition should be at the forefront
of conversations.
For their service to this country many
veterans are given the opportunity to have The management of mental health issues
healthcare services provided to them post among elderly veterans is of the utmost im-
discharge or after military service. There are portance given the level of service that they
several veter-ans administration within many have provided to the country. This informa-
states across the country that are tion can assist with improvement identification
specifically designed to cater to the needs and management. Immediate identification
of veterans. In particular, the mental health and proper management of the symptoms
needs and ensuring that this is adequately of PTSD can help to improve their quality of
addressed is important to this population life which may become impaired. Whenever a
given the potential to devel-op cognitive healthcare professional encounters an elder-
impairments or slowing with age ly veteran, proper screening for any existing
progression or the presentation of post mental health issues should be performed to
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD not only benefit the patient but also serve to
has become a well-known condition highlight the quality services that are being
among sol-diers and veterans and it can provided to this population, particularly as it
present with reliving bad memories of a related to the growing issue of mental illness.
situation or event and attempts are made to
avoid any triggers. Some of the symptoms
can include feelings of shame or despair, Author: Abimbola Farinde
difficulty controlling one’s emotions, or self- Photograph by David Beale
destructive behaviors. For-tunately, there
are treatments in the form of counseling to
talk individually or in a group setting and
medications that can be taken to aid with
symptom management.
20 | THE VOICE OF INDEPENDENT PHARMACY | SUMMER 2017 AMERICAN COLLEGE OF APOTHECARIES | ACAINFO.ORG | 21