Q. I've read stories of vets coming home from Iraq and ending up on the street. This seems to be true for Vietnam vets and those in World War II. It seems the government would at least help these people get into some kind of low income housing or rehabilitation and schooling. Where is the government when a vet needs help?
A. As one can see from the varied responses,
there are all levels of satisfaction with VA
services - depending on one's own
experiences. Of course it is those who
have much difficulty in getting results that
we hear from more loudly and more often.
I would advise women whose husband's
have high levels of disability, especially
Vietnam vets, to do everything you can to
be financially prepared for living on your
own. Be familiar with what DIC is and that
if you do not have additional income you
will be living at close to poverty level. Lucky
us who are old enough to have social security
as well! If you are retirees who bought the Survivor Benefit Plan and the veteran dies of 100% service connection...are you aware that it is offset by the widow's DIC? That means that what the two of you planned on for the widow to have as income...well, it just doesn't happen.
Have all of you Vietnam vets had body
scans in your agent orange screenings?
Please don't tell me that you are a VV and
not had an agent orange exam because
I can tell you about women who
became widows very unexpectedly. If you
or anyone you know is a widow by
service-connected cause, please be aware
that Gold Star Wives of America is an
organization that can provide information,
resources, and support. Laws regarding
remarriage have changed in recent years;
many older widows do not know.
Are all of you veterans aware of the A & A
benefit and the Housebound benefit for
those who need assisted care, even at home?
there are all levels of satisfaction with VA
services - depending on one's own
experiences. Of course it is those who
have much difficulty in getting results that
we hear from more loudly and more often.
I would advise women whose husband's
have high levels of disability, especially
Vietnam vets, to do everything you can to
be financially prepared for living on your
own. Be familiar with what DIC is and that
if you do not have additional income you
will be living at close to poverty level. Lucky
us who are old enough to have social security
as well! If you are retirees who bought the Survivor Benefit Plan and the veteran dies of 100% service connection...are you aware that it is offset by the widow's DIC? That means that what the two of you planned on for the widow to have as income...well, it just doesn't happen.
Have all of you Vietnam vets had body
scans in your agent orange screenings?
Please don't tell me that you are a VV and
not had an agent orange exam because
I can tell you about women who
became widows very unexpectedly. If you
or anyone you know is a widow by
service-connected cause, please be aware
that Gold Star Wives of America is an
organization that can provide information,
resources, and support. Laws regarding
remarriage have changed in recent years;
many older widows do not know.
Are all of you veterans aware of the A & A
benefit and the Housebound benefit for
those who need assisted care, even at home?
What happens to animals when the the vets close?
Q. I mean do people stay at the vets all night to look after animals? Do they take some of the more serious case animals home with them? Or are the animals left alone all night?
A. Depends on the practice. Some have staff there overnight, some check in several times during the night, more seriously ill animals are often taken home by the vet or vet tech, or are checked into a 24 hour clinic overnight for observation.
How does one find injured vets who are now home?
Q. I live in NJ (southern) not far from Philly. A friend of mine is studying Physical Therapy and is looking to interview a few vets (current, from Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts) as part of a class project. How would one go about finding these vets?
A. There are number of web sites that are read by active duty and recently separated vets. Do a web search for military blogs and then check out their readership. Most of the bloggers will list an email contact point for someone doing research.
How can you examine your cat like how the vets do?
Q. My cat is acting weird...I dont want to take him to the vet if its nothing. They say what they will do is check his temperature, his face and his ears. If I can do this I can avoid $60 right there. If he does have a fever or this "home exam" shows he needs help then for sure I have no choice. We have a whole $18 dollars right now and our credit cards are near maxed. Vets here dont offer payment plans either.
A. If you could elaborate on his 'weird' behavior, we might be able to give you more information.
Here is a link to the subtle signs of sickness in cats. It is a good reference. It is in a pdf format so you can print it and keep it handy.
Also, there is a credit card just for medical expenses, including veterinary, called Care Credit. My cats' routine expenses are in the budget, but my Care Credit has saved me many times for the surprises..and with 2 geriatric kitties with illnesses, it's often! I will give the link below, you can see what vet offices accept this card in your area and apply online.
Purrs to you and kitty.
Here is a link to the subtle signs of sickness in cats. It is a good reference. It is in a pdf format so you can print it and keep it handy.
Also, there is a credit card just for medical expenses, including veterinary, called Care Credit. My cats' routine expenses are in the budget, but my Care Credit has saved me many times for the surprises..and with 2 geriatric kitties with illnesses, it's often! I will give the link below, you can see what vet offices accept this card in your area and apply online.
Purrs to you and kitty.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment