Veteran's Information Page

Wanted - ex-military personnel (and their partners) who served from mid-1960's to mid-1970 who did and who did not serve in Vietnam to join this study - please see attached and get involved.

This study is intended to benefit present day serving combat affected soldiers and their family.
Health Study Form (PDF)

Special Needs Status under the Aged Care Act

In 2001 veterans were assigned Special Needs Status under the Department of Health and Ageings Aged Care Act 1997. The effect of this is that aged care providers need to consider the special needs of the veteran community in the provision of care and planning authorities must consider the aged care requirements of the ex-service community.

The assigning of Special Needs Status was based on:

The rapid ageing of the veteran population
Their service, sacrifice and hardship
Their unique cultural identity

Fact Sheets:

HSV07 Special Needs Status for the Veteran Community in Australian Government Aged Care Planning
HSV08 Special Needs Status in Aged Care Planning Explained for Members of the Veteran Community

What is the Veteran Community

Three generations of Australians had their lives substantially shaped by the experience of Australias involvement in two world wars. In the decades since, Australians have participated in over 50 wars, conflicts or peacekeeping activities, or been members of the Australian Defence Forces.

The meaning of the word 'veteran' depends both on the individual and the context of the term. For DVA, a veteran holds a health entitlement card and/or a pension card, or is a war widow/er or dependent holding such cards. Under the Aged Care Act, a member of the veteran community is more broadly defined as '& a veteran of the Australian or allied defence force; or a spouse or widow/er of a person mentioned above'.

Veteran Demographics

The DVA veteran population is old and ageing faster than the general population. There are approximately 300,000 veterans and war widow/ers with health cards (treatment population), and an additional 150,000 receiving pensions or benefits without DVA treatment entitlement. Approximately three quarters of veterans and war widow/ers with health cards are aged 75 or older.

Over the next decade the proportion of DVA clients over 90 will more than quadruple, to make up one quarter of DVAs treatment population. Given the number of people involved in WWII, it is not surprising that the veteran population makes up around a quarter of the residents of aged care facilities. While nearly half the Australian male population over 80 are veterans, most people would be unaware that female gold card holders will outnumber their male counterparts within five years.

Veteran Culture

During World War II, one in seven of the total Australian population enlisted.

Whether serving overseas or in Australia, taking on new occupational roles in the absence of so many, or knowing family and friends were at risk, the experience of war was a defining experience for todays older Australians. For many, this shared history and hardship has lead to identification with a distinctive cultural group.

Cultural attributes often seen in the veteran community include:

Bonds of mateship formed in times of danger
Commemoration of sacrifice of the fallen
Provision of welfare support for their mates and the wives and dependants of deceased comrades
High membership of ex-service organisations and other social groups
Participation in commemorative activities, such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day

Veteran Health

Veterans have higher rates of health risk factors compared to their non-veteran counterparts, including lack of exercise, obesity and long term use of cigarettes and alcohol. Veterans are more likely to experience a short or long term illness, develop cancer or suffer from diseases of the digestive, nervous, circulatory and musculoskeletal systems. Veterans are also prescribed more medications than non-veterans, even allowing for disabilities.

Increased rates of mental health problems are apparent in the veteran community. More than a quarter of the treatment population have mental health conditions, about half of which are accepted as being due to military service. Veterans have much higher rates of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, although this diagnosis might not have been made in older veterans. War-related memories may have a negative affect on those with dementia, and this issue should be considered in care planning for older veterans.

Three types of health cards are issued by the DVA:
Gold cards are issued to eligible veterans or their war widow/ers, and cover all medical conditions
White cards are issued to eligible veterans, and cover specific service-related disabilities
Orange cards are issued to eligible Commonwealth and Allied veterans, and cover pharmaceutical benefits only

Special Needs and the Veteran Community

Aged care services can contribute to better care of veterans by considering issues related to their special needs:

Identify all veterans and their widow/ers (regardless of cards or entitlements) on admission
Ensure the veteran or war widow/er is aware of his/her DVA entitlements
Provide DVA contact information for the resident or family members (Fact Sheet DVA07)
Contact DVA to check entitlements
Collect a detailed service and cultural history soon after admission
Ensure ongoing contact with Ex-Service Organisations as desired
Help the veteran and/or family members to observe commemorative days of national and individual significance
Consider the veteran's service and subsequent history when managing challenging behaviours and potential triggers
Look for mental health issues in veterans and link to appropriate psycho-geriatric services
Ensure health providers are aware of the residents entitlements, status and history
Identify staff training opportunities in veteran issues and services

Factsheets

DVA07 Who to contact:Ex-service Organisations (ESOs)

Many in the veteran community associate closely with ex-service organisations.

Ex-service organisations in various states and regions have differing levels of involvement in aged care and some may be able to help veterans in your facility. They may be able to provide advocacy, advice or assistance to them, or in some cases visit them. Further, ESOs may be able to assist providers by advising on commemorative activities in which veteran residents might like to participate.

Fact sheets

ESO01 Ex Service Organisations