National report assesses homeless veteran health care

Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio partners with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council released its final report on its multiphase veterans needs assessment, exploring veteran demographics, health status, service utilization, unmet needs and other facets of homeless veterans’ healthcare. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a huge resource for homeless veterans seeking health care, a resource that Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio is proud to be a part of.

Because our veterans programs operate in partnership with the VA, Volunteers of America connects all the veterans we serve with VA healthcare and other benefits. In addition, our Veterans Domiciliary at Wade Park is located on the Wade Park Veterans Affairs Medical Center campus. This residential care facility combines rehabilitate clinical services with supportive case management services for homeless veterans.

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council’s report, Health and Homelessness Among Veterans, found that “following separation from the military, veterans may experience a host of service-connected and non-service-connected health issues.”

It went on to say that veterans who lack stable housing are more likely to “…have higher disability ratings and be diagnosed with a mental disorder (including substance-related disorders and all mental illness), traumatic brain injury (TBI), co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses and major depression in comparison to housed veterans.”

Finally, it found that un-housed veterans “are also more likely to report a chronic medical condition, two or more mental health conditions, and higher rates of hepatitis/cirrhosis and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to homeless persons without veteran status.”

Help veterans access health care and other needed services when you donate your automobile in Ohio.

You can make a huge difference in the lives of homeless veterans by donating your car, truck, motorcycle, boat or RV to Volunteers of America.

Every tax-deductible car donation to Volunteers of America helps substantially in allowing us to support our indispensable programs and services for homeless veterans in Ohio cities like Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland. Donating your car is easy. Start by filling out our online form or calling (800) 225-0732. We’ll tow your donated vehicle for free, even if it hasn’t run in years. Please consider donating your unwanted vehicle to Volunteers of America, and put a homeless veteran on the path to independence.