Five Benefits of In-Home Care for Veterans with PTSD

How In-Home Care Can Help Veterans with PTSD Manage Treatment and Receive Support

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop in anyone who has gone through or witnessed a traumatic or life-threatening event. It is sometimes referred to as shell shock, combat, or battle fatigue.

While anyone can develop PTSD, studies have shown that Veterans are more likely than civilians to experience it, especially if they have been deployed. This is due to increased exposure to military combat, training exercises, and other traumatic events.

Veterans with PTSD may experience or exhibit the following tendencies:

• Experience vivid flashbacks or nightmares where they relive the traumatic event. Sometimes these episodes may be triggered by something reminiscent of the event, such as certain smells or sounds.
• Avoid things that remind them of the event, such as crowds or driving.
• Have more negative thoughts and feelings than they had before the event.
• Always be on guard or jittery and on the lookout for danger.

It’s normal to feel distressed or have trouble sleeping after experiencing such an event. However, it’s recommended that you seek help when these symptoms last longer than a month. If left untreated, PTSD can last for decades and impact your quality of life.

Aging and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Symptoms of PTSD usually begin within three months of the traumatic event, but sometimes they can emerge years later. Late-onset stress symptomatology (LOSS) is a condition observed in older combat Veterans who experience an increase in thoughts and feelings about their wartime experiences and emotional responses to those experiences. This might be prompted by the changes that come with aging, such as retirement or the loss of a friend or loved one. It can make PTSD symptoms more noticeable or even develop in Veterans who have otherwise lived a normal life.

Five Benefits of In-Home Care for Veterans with PTSD

In-home care can be beneficial for Veterans with PTSD and their families and offers customized support for their unique needs.

Here are five ways in-home care services can help:

1. COMPANIONSHIP CARE – Those who experience PTSD often struggle to connect with others and may feel detached. This may lead to feelings of loneliness. From playing games to doing puzzles to listening to music, our Exceptional Caregivers provide companionship, so clients don’t feel isolated.
2. ESTABLISH A DAILY ROUTINE – Creating and maintaining a daily routine provides structure, which can help reduce the stress and anxiety of those with PTSD. With our personal care services, our Caregivers can help create a daily schedule and assist with basic activities of daily living like hygiene, cooking, mobility, errands, and light housekeeping.
3. RELIEF AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILY MEMBERS – Being a family Caregiver for a loved one can be an intense and demanding responsibility that often comes without any breaks. In-home respite care is short-term, temporary relief that can help restore balance to the family Caregiver’s life and provide the break they need to recharge and take time for themselves.
4. MANAGING PTSD TREATMENT – Treatment for veterans with PTSD is not one size fits all. Medical providers may recommend trauma-focused talk therapy, which usually lasts about 8 to 16 sessions. They may also recommend certain medications to help with treating PTSD symptoms. Our Caregivers can assist with medication schedules and driving to and from therapy appointments to make sure your loved one gets the care they need.
5. ACCESS TO RESOURCES – The VA Community Care Network, Aid and Attendance Program, and Veteran-Directed Care are three programs that are available for Veterans to get the help they need. While Home Helpers^® Home Care doesn’t directly help clients apply for these benefits, we do partner with third-party organizations that can guide them through the application process.

Navigating PTSD and the challenges that it brings can feel overwhelming. Our in-home care services can give your loved ones the care and companionship they need to help them manage their symptoms and live independently, wherever they call home.

Home Helpers^® Home Care is Here to Help

Are you or a loved one in need of in-home care and companionship? Home Helpers^® Home Care is here to help. For over 25 years, we have provided exceptional in-home care for seniors, Veterans, new moms and families, and those with disabilities, illness, or recovering from injury or surgery.

We’re here to be a trusted partner in your care journey, with a team of compassionate professionals supporting veterans with PTSD every step of the way. Our services and care plans are customized to meet individual needs and can be adjusted as needs change.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES OR SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME CARE ASSESSMENT, CONTACT US TODAY OR FIND AN AGENCY NEAR YOU.