Retired Vet using the VA for Healthcare

TennVet

TennVet

Member
When I retired I started using the V A for my healthcare. I retained my Medicare supplemental insurance just because I felt I needed that universal protective umbrella. You hear a lot of negative comments about the VA, but that has not been my experience. I know I'm fortunate because of my disability rating at 100%, but I get excellent care, I don't wait weeks or days to see a caregiver. I get my meds by mail and can order refills online that come to my door within a day or so.

After all the good experiences I have had at the VA facility that I go to I decided it was time for me to give back. I have asked to be included in their volunteer program. I would be assisting fellow Vets visiting the facility, helping find or get to their appointments or out to their car. Besides that I'll be inside most of the time and getting my daily steps in. Kind of a double benefit, helping another Vet and helping my health as well. Not a bad deal in my book.
 

My Dad used to get his medicines through the VA. That saved my parents a lot of money years ago.

Right now, a very good friend of ours is in the local VA for a leg issue. He's been going their for quite a while & has had some excellent care. A few times, they have had to refer him to an outside doctor because they had no one to do what needed to be done.
 
TennVet said:
When I retired I started using the V A for my healthcare. I retained my Medicare supplemental insurance just because I felt I needed that universal protective umbrella. You hear a lot of negative comments about the VA, but that has not been my experience. I know I'm fortunate because of my disability rating at 100%, but I get excellent care, I don't wait weeks or days to see a caregiver. I get my meds by mail and can order refills online that come to my door within a day or so.

After all the good experiences I have had at the VA facility that I go to I decided it was time for me to give back. I have asked to be included in their volunteer program. I would be assisting fellow Vets visiting the facility, helping find or get to their appointments or out to their car. Besides that I'll be inside most of the time and getting my daily steps in. Kind of a double benefit, helping another Vet and helping my health as well. Not a bad deal in my book.
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I agree, The VA healthcare system saved my life several times by finding things I didn't know I even had. Plus they helped me get back on my feet during hard times. My fellow vets are like family and we help each other a lot. I learned a lot as an escort taking patients to appointments

If it wasn't for the VA, I Probably wouldn't be here.
 
It is great that you want to be a VA Volunteer!
I was a VA Volunteer with two VAMCS- one in NJ and one in NY.

In 1983 I volunteered to do a few things at a Vet Center- things like vacuuming the rugs, filing, answering phone, bringing birthday cakes-but I was voted into the Combat PTSD Vietnam Veterans Rap group, instead, and my whole life changed.

As a civilian, in the group, I saw my role as being a totally non judgmental female to these veterans who had mothers, sisters, wives, etc that did not understand PTSD.

My VA ID card says 1984 because it took some time to run me through the FBI, etc., and I have been a disabled vets advocate ever since.

My Army husband had died in 1981 and my USMC Vietnam husband died in 1994, and it helps tremendously to deal with grief when you are doing something positive for others.

I am the mother of a veteran, as well, my daughter (USAF)
 

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