Talking Later: Veterans' Stories of Late-Life PTSD

This podcast is brought to you by the VA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a World War II Veteran with a wide range of military experiences. We discuss how PTSD treatment can allow Veterans to remember and share certain stories of their military experiences with others, often for the first time, even decades after their service. Resources discussed in this episode: •Medications for PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/medications.asp•VA PTSD program locator: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/PTSD.aspFurther Reading: •Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version https://www.ptsd.va.gov/publications/print/understandingptsd_aging_booklet.pdf ; Spanish Version https://www.ptsd.va.gov/spanish/docs/understandingptsd_aging_booklet_SP.pdf•VA Geriatrics and Extended Care: https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/•National Center for PTSD AboutFace episode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/AFZVwyM6kG4?rel=0 Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Veteran who immigrated to the United States from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and subsequently enlisted in military service. We discuss resilience, social connection, and diversity in the military. We also discuss how nurses and other healthcare providers provide trauma-informed care. Resources discussed in this episode: •Council on Foreign Relations report on US Military demographics: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/demographics-us-military•Article: What is Agent Orange? https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/Further Reading: •Article on common stress reactions: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/violence_trauma_effects.asp•Agent Orange exposure & VA disability compensation: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/•SAMSHA Concept of trauma-informed care: https://ncsacw.samhsa.gov/userfiles/files/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Navy Veteran who ventured from the east coast to southern Texas. We discuss adverse childhood events and the concept of cumulative trauma. We further discuss the relationships between social support, connection, and healing.Resources discussed in this episode: •‘Be There' Peer Assistance Program for Veterans: 800-342-9647•‘Make the Connection' program for Veterans: https://www.maketheconnection.net/•‘AboutFace' interviews of Veterans who've had PTSD: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCervd5eFJu8yruNZnojg99gFurther reading:•VA PTSD program locator: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/PTSD.asp•National Center for PTSD AboutFace episode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ETdms5Nr8Es?rel=0 Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who served as a Green Beret. He also is quite an athlete, who has played both soccer and tennis professionally. We discuss the role social reconnection as a part of healing with PTSD. Resources discussed in this episode: •PTSD Effects on Family: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/family/effects_ptsd.asp •Learn more about VA peer support groups: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/peer_support.aspFurther reading:•VA PTSD program locator: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/PTSD.asp•Non-VA PTSD program locator: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/mental-health/•National Center for PTSD AboutFace episode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/g7sJQbC_kaE?rel=0 Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who later re-enlisted in the Airforce and served as a flight medic. We discuss how and why disconnection from others is a symptom of PTSD and the role of animals in healing. Resources discussed in this episode: •VA service dogs and Veterinary Health Benefits: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/ServiceAndGuideDogs.asp•Travis Mills Foundation for veterans: https://travismillsfoundation.org/Further Reading: •Social connection and PTSD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApWwRmCOnF0•Article on animals and PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/dogs_ptsd.asp•Careers in aging: https://www.geron.org/programs-services/careers-in-aging-week •National Center for PTSD AboutFace episode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/xr16y6ixn4M?rel=0 Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who has experienced trauma not only related to his military service but also to sexual assault and substance use. Like many Veterans, he finds that he thinks about certain memories more over time. We discuss the different types of PTSD treatments available and the relationship between PTSD and substance use. Resources discussed in this episode: •PTSD and Substance Use Treatment in VA: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/tx_sud_va.asp•VA Mental Health Services List & FAQ: https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/•Substance use treatment locator: https://findtreatment.gov/ Further Reading: •Article about art therapy for Veterans with PTSD: https://jmvh.org/article/a-review-of-art-therapy-among-military-service-members-and-veterans-with-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/•Information about substance use treatment in VA: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use/index.asp •Information about substance use in older adults: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/substance-use-in-older-adults-drugfacts •SAMHSA national helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline •National Center for PTSD AboutFace episode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/u1rSjbzhCnE?rel=0 Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who does so many things with his life that we titled the episode “The Multihyphenate” - meaning someone with many talents. We then discuss the four clusters of PTSD symptoms and why certain relaxation techniques can help. Resources discussed in this episode: •NIH list of relaxation techniques: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/relaxation-techniques-for-health•VA Phone app: PTSD Coach: https://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach•VA list of Yoga & Tai Chi resources: https://www.va.gov/PAINMANAGEMENT/Veteran_Public/Home_Practice.aspFurther Reading: •Symptoms of PTSD Explained: Hypervigilance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vadviVdf24•Late-Onset Stress Symptom Scale (LOSS-SF): https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/documents/LOSS_Scale_ShortForm.pdf•More information on the LOSS-SF: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/adult-sr/loss_scale.asp•National Center for PTSD AboutFace episode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/enOX_m_B7yQ?rel=0 Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who has found himself thinking more about his military experiences later in life after certain events occur – which he compares to a brick falling on his head. We discuss the relationship between avoidance and PTSD, the value of support groups, and how older Veterans may re-engage their memories.Resources discussed in this episode: •VA National Center for PTSD: Understanding Avoidance: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/avoidance.asp•Beach ball analogy of PTSD symptoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC8Csuu70IQFurther Reading: •NPR article on the 'My Life, My Story' Program: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/06/08/729351842/storytelling-helps-hospital-staff-discover-the-person-within-the-patient•Academic article on support groups for older Veterans with PTSD: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6841342/ •National Center for PTSD AboutFace episode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/VqkezfG3cfo?rel=0 Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a female Veteran who shares how she has coped with loss through creativity and adventure. We talk about the concept of wisdom and the roles of pilgrimage and vocation in healing. We also discuss the role of women in the military. Resources discussed in this episode: •How to find a VA therapist for PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/find_therapist.asp•Vietnam Veterans Memorial: https://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htmFurther Reading: •Paul Baltes' Berlin Wisdom Paradigm: https://evidencebasedwisdom.com/2015/09/20/the-berlin-wisdom-paradigm-an-expert-knowledge-system/ •Academic article on VA programs for older Veterans with PTSD: https://academic.oup.com/ppar/article/30/1/19/5687922•Academic article on the LATR framework for PTSD: https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/56/1/14/2605237•Center for Women Veterans: https://www.va.gov/womenvet/ •PTSD in Female Veterans: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_women.asp•National Center for PTSD AboutFace episode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/0WlTh5d3JKM?rel=0 Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who is thinking more about his military experiences as he ages. He mentions memories of rats in Vietnam and also explains that he found himself overwhelmed when recently bringing pants to a tailor who was Vietnamese. After hearing the Veteran's story we discuss life review, resilience, later-adulthood trauma reengagement, and posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD. We also discuss the role of family and mental health care in healing. Resources discussed in this episode: •Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version https://www.ptsd.va.gov/publications/print/understandingptsd_aging_booklet.pdf ; Spanish Version https://www.ptsd.va.gov/spanish/docs/understandingptsd_aging_booklet_SP.pdf•The My Life My Story Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-va-presents-my-life-my-story Further Reading: •VHA Office of Rural Health: https://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/•National Center for PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/ •VA Mental Health: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/•NPR article: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/06/08/729351842/storytelling-helps-hospital-staff-discover-the-person-within-the-patient •Healthline article: https://www.healthline.com/health/life-review-therapy •Academic article on the LATR framework for PTSD: https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/56/1/14/2605237•National Center for PTSD AboutFace episode: https://www.youtube.com/embed/fJw8zxPeDB0?rel=0 Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:•Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.•Start a confidential chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.•Text 838255.•If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.