How to Help Aging Veterans with PTSD 

How Does PTSD Affect an Aging Adult? 

Serving in the U.S. military is one of the greatest honors and biggest responsibilities. Veterans who return home after their tours of duty are likely to have undergone major life changes.  

Irrespective of how long ago they served, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can stay with service men and women for years afterward.  

PTSD occurs when someone witnesses or experiences a traumatic event, but fails to process it.  

Statistics show that veterans have a higher risk of developing PTSD than others, and the effects can last a lifetime.  Data obtained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that people who left the military still struggle with PTSD 50 or more years later, with symptoms worsening when they reach retirement age. 

An aging adult who had once served in the military will have more free time in retirement, and they may start to dwell on traumatic events and turn to unhealthy methods of coping with their anxiety. 

If your parent or spouse had once served in the U.S. Armed Forces, it can feel overwhelming trying to bring comfort to them during periods of stress — and their challenges may increase with age. 

In this article, we’ll provide strategies and tips for how you can support your loved one as they work through the unprocessed trauma of war. 

What Kinds of Challenges May Veterans Face During Retirement? 

Because PTSD symptoms are not always obvious, family members and caregivers looking after veterans might not know about the struggles their loved ones face or how their anxiety disorder can impact their health. 

Some challenges a loved one with PTSD may face include: 

Increased risk of developing certain health conditions 

Veterans suffering from PTSD are more prone to developing other health problems like high blood pressure, increased heart rate, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, and headaches. 

They also have a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder, depression, dementia, arthritis, gastritis, and angina pectoris (chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart). 

These health conditions need to be properly managed or they will lead to other problems. 

Panic disorder (PD) 

Panic disorder may occur alongside PTSD. This condition is characterized by frequent bouts of fear or panic attacks.  

Veterans with anxiety disorders may also experience traumatic flashbacks and changes in sleeping patterns. 

Substance abuse  

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that two in every 10t veterans suffer from substance use disorder (SUD). 

Ongoing health problems, combined with PTSD and the struggles faced by veterans in their personal lives, can lead to alcohol and drug abuse.  

Substances tend to help veterans avoid processing traumatic dreams and memories, which only worsens PTSD symptoms. 

Eating disorders 

There is a strong link between eating disorders and PTSD. People who have suffered immense trauma may use food as a means of reclaiming control of their bodies.  

Eating disorders can take the form of starving oneself, overeating, or binging and purging.  

There is also research indicating that military lifestyles that focus on sacrifice and physical fitness predispose military personnel to developing eating disorders. 

How Do I Know When Someone with PTSD Needs Support?  

A loved one struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder may not want to seek mental health treatment and could try to avoid discussing the topic at all costs. 

Determining whether someone has PTSD when they’re trying to hide their symptoms can be challenging. However, paying close attention to their behavior and habits can provide insight into their mental health. 

Here are some symptoms you can look for: 

• Mood changes and loss of interest in activities they once loved 
• Poor sleeping patterns or sleep disturbances 
• Hypervigilance, i.e. always being on guard or being easily startled 
• Fluctuations in energy levels 
• Increasing social isolation 
• Being mistrusting 
• Changes in thinking patterns 
• Being frightened by certain sounds, smells, or sights 

What Can I Do to Help My Loved One Cope with PTSD? 

There are several mental health services available to help veterans deal with PTSD when they return from war zones— b ut you can’t force them to join mental health programs or undergo treatment unless they’re ready. 

It can be frustrating to watch a loved one try to process trauma on their own, but your unconditional love and kindness go a long way. 

Here’s what you can do to help care for an aging veteran with PTSD: 

Gently encourage them to get help 

Just because your loved one isn’t ready to speak to you yet, it doesn’t mean they won’t speak to a professional. It can be difficult to suggest they talk to a stranger instead of you, but mental healthcare professionals are trained to provide PTSD treatment.  

There are also support groups that allow veterans with similar mental health challenges to engage with each other and offer support.  

Many veterans still use mental health services long after they’ve come home. Make sure your loved one knows that asking for help isn’t something to be ashamed of.

Help them adjust to their new home or living situation

As veterans get on in years, it may be time for them to face yet another transition. It can be difficult for them to downsize or share their living space with other people. 

Listen to their concerns and help with the moving process as best you can. Show kindness and patience, and they’ll be more likely to share their fears and concerns with you. 

Identify triggers 

Do they jump each time they hear a loud noise, or do certain scents make them anxious? Try to identify what these are and remove those triggers, if possible. 

Ultimately, PTSD treatment should help veterans deal with triggers, but until they’ve reached that phase in their recovery, it may be best to remove elements that cause unnecessary anxiety or trigger flashbacks. 

Give them space but keep the communication channels open 

One of the worst things you can do is pressure a loved one into talking about traumatic events or mental health issues when they’re not yet ready to have those conversations. Even if you live with a veteran, they may find it difficult to open up — to you or anyone else, for that matter. 

In a situation like this, it’s important to respect their space, but still reassure them that they have your unwavering support.  

This is where LogicMark can help. Our medical alert devices may be perfect for a veteran struggling with their health and mental wellness.  

They can wear a medical alert device around their wrist, neck, or waist, ensuring that it’s close by if they feel a panic attack approaching or they injure themselves in a fall and need help. 

Even if they’re not yet ready to communicate with anyone, just knowing they have a device that can call a loved one at the touch of a button may bring them comfort. 

Whether your loved one is struggling with their physical or mental health, we have devices that can work for them.  

If all they need is a way to connect with you when they’re feeling overwhelmed, our basic devices that offer two-way communication would work. But if they need extra support, we also offer advanced devices with additional services like 24/7 monitoring. 

Get in touch with us to learn more about our support program for veterans. 

Don’t neglect physical health  

A walk, run, or cycle in the gym or in a peaceful outdoor environment is a healthy stress outlet that will help your loved one build physical and mental strength.  It’s also a great opportunity to bond with a parent or spouse. 

Medical checkups are just as important as physical exercise — especially given that veterans may be more prone to conditions like high blood pressure and dementia. 

How Can LogicMark Help Veterans with PTSD? 

At LogicMark, we understand the sacrifices veterans have made for our country and while we can never repay them for the years they’ve spent serving us, we —as a token of our appreciation — want to give them something back. 

We are proud partners of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and we offer free medical alert devices to veterans who qualify. To find out if your loved one is eligible, take our easy online quiz. 

Get in touch with us to learn more about how our devices can provide support and security to our country’s heroes.