This Memorial Day, Remember the Veterans Still Fighting — For Dignity, Care, and a Place to Call Home

By Patrick Mapile, Founder of CarePali Home Care — West Los Angeles

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 16.2 million veterans are alive today — and nearly half of them are over age 65. As the largest generation of veterans since World War II continues to age, the gap between the care they were promised and the care they actually receive has become one of the most pressing — and least discussed — issues in elder care. This Memorial Day, the most meaningful way to honor their service may be to understand what they are facing right now.

The Aging Veteran Population by the Numbers

The VA's National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics reports that approximately 7.7 million veterans are aged 65 or older, with that number projected to remain substantial through the 2030s as Vietnam-era veterans — the single largest cohort — move into their late 70s and 80s. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that veterans over 65 account for a disproportionate share of healthcare utilization, driven by both age-related conditions and service-connected health burdens that compound over decades.

The health profile of aging veterans is distinct from the general elderly population. Research published in the American Journal of Public Health found that veterans experience higher rates of chronic pain, traumatic brain injury residuals, hearing loss, cardiovascular disease, and mental health conditions compared to age-matched non-veterans. A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society documented that combat veterans have a 30 to 40 percent higher rate of physical disability by age 75 than their civilian peers, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors.

The Mental Health Dimension

The intersection of aging and military-related mental health conditions creates particular challenges for veteran caregiving. The National Council for Aging Care reports that PTSD affects an estimated 11 to 20 percent of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and 15 percent of Vietnam veterans — conditions that can intensify or re-emerge with aging, cognitive decline, and increased dependence on others. Research published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that PTSD symptoms in aging veterans frequently overlap with and exacerbate dementia symptoms, creating diagnostic confusion and complicating care plans.

The VA's National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report documents that veterans over age 55 account for a disproportionate share of veteran suicides, with social isolation, chronic pain, and loss of independence identified as primary risk factors. Depression among older veterans is significantly underdiagnosed, with research in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry estimating that fewer than 40 percent of depressed elderly veterans receive adequate treatment.

The VA Care Gap

While the VA provides a range of home and community-based services, access remains uneven. The VA's own Inspector General has repeatedly identified wait times, geographic barriers, and staffing shortages as persistent obstacles to home care delivery. The Government Accountability Office has documented that VA home-based primary care programs serve only a fraction of eligible veterans, with wait lists in many metropolitan areas stretching months. The RAND Corporation's analysis of VA community care found that while the MISSION Act expanded veterans' ability to seek care outside the VA system, navigating the authorization process remains complex and time-consuming for aging veterans and their families.

The VA Aid and Attendance benefit — a pension supplement that can provide up to $2,431 per month for veterans who need assistance with daily activities — remains significantly underutilized. The National Council for Aging Care estimates that only a fraction of eligible veterans and surviving spouses are receiving this benefit, often because families are unaware it exists or find the application process prohibitively complex. The Veterans Benefits Administration reports average processing times of three to six months for Aid and Attendance claims.

The Burden on Veteran Families

The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP's Caregiving in the U.S. report found that approximately 5.5 million Americans serve as caregivers for veterans, with military and veteran caregivers providing an average of 25 hours of care per week. The RAND Corporation's landmark "Hidden Heroes" study documented that veteran caregivers experience significantly worse health outcomes, higher rates of depression, and greater financial strain than caregivers of non-veterans — in part because the conditions they manage (PTSD, TBI, complex physical injuries) require specialized knowledge that most family members were never trained to provide.

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation's research has highlighted that veteran caregivers are more likely to have left the workforce, more likely to report strained family relationships, and less likely to seek help for themselves. For spouses caring for aging Vietnam-era veterans, the caregiving journey often spans decades — beginning with managing the psychological aftermath of combat and evolving into full-time physical care as age-related conditions accumulate on top of service-connected disabilities.

What Veteran Families in West LA Should Know

Veterans and their families in the West Los Angeles area have access to several important resources. The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, one of the largest VA medical centers in the country, operates home-based primary care, adult day health care, and respite care programs for eligible veterans. The UCLA Operation Mend program provides specialized care for post-9/11 veterans, while the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown LA serves as a hub for veteran services and benefits assistance.

For veterans who need daily assistance but want to remain at home, combining VA benefits with private home care can create a comprehensive support structure. The VA's Veteran-Directed Care program allows eligible veterans to manage their own care budgets, hiring caregivers of their choice — including family members in some cases. California's In-Home Supportive Services program serves as an additional resource for low-income veterans who qualify for Medi-Cal.

At CarePali, we serve veteran families throughout West LA who are navigating these overlapping systems. Our caregivers understand that caring for an aging veteran requires more than assistance with daily activities — it requires awareness of the unique physical and psychological dimensions of military service, patience with the complexities of VA coordination, and deep respect for the dignity and independence that these men and women have earned.

This Memorial Day, the most powerful way to honor our veterans is to ensure that the ones still with us receive the care and dignity they deserve — not just in speeches, but in the daily, practical work of keeping them safe, comfortable, and connected in the communities they helped protect.