How to help aging veterans

According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, surveys from the Pew Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau, there were more than 18 million living military veterans in the United States by the end of 2023. Seventy-two percent of those veterans are age 50 and older, and many served during wartime.

Military personnel make significant sacrifices to protect the freedoms Americans enjoy each day, and it’s vital that those efforts are never forgotten, even if it’s been decades since service personnel have been on active duty.

Thirty-seven percent of living veterans are age 70 and older, and these brave individuals must face the challenges of aging as well as some, including chronic injuries, that might be traced to their time in the military. That makes helping aging veterans an especially worthy endeavor, and those interested in doing just that can consider the following ideas.

• Offer your expertise free of charge. Working professionals can help aging veterans by providing advice or services free of charge or at steep discounts. For example, accountants can offer to prepare and file aging veterans’ tax returns free of charge or, if the returns are complicated, at steep discounts. Financial advisors can visit a local veterans hall or home and speak to members or residents about managing money after retirement.
• Invite veterans over for special events or gatherings. The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that veterans who served in the last 30 years make up the largest number of living veterans. Though there are still plenty of veterans who served prior to 1994, they may no longer have extensive social networks as more and more aging veterans pass away. Social connections are vital to long-term health, and researchers at the Center for Healthy Aging at Penn State University found that adults between the ages of 70 and 90 who reported more frequent, pleasant social interactions exhibited improved cognitive performance in the ensuing days. Individuals who want to help aging veterans can invite them over for special events, such as game watches, holiday gatherings or even weekly family meals.
• Pitch in around the house. Whether they suffered injuries during their time in the service or not, many aging veterans face the same physical limitations as others approaching or past retirement age. Offer to help aging veterans around the house. Mobility issues can make it hard to mow a lawn, tend to a garden or clean the interior of a home. Such tasks are made much easier when others pitch in, and these gestures can be a great way for families to show their appreciation to the brave individuals who protected the freedoms Americans enjoy each day.

There’s no shortage of ways to help aging veterans, many of whom could use a helping hand as they navigate their golden years.