Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-27
VETERANS
AND DRAFTEES
By MAI. THOMAS NJ. NAL

During any given day, nearly
10 per cent Of all veterans
treated in Veterans Administra-
ton hospitals are over IS years
old. Yet only about 5 per cent of
the Nations veterans are that
age.
Perhaps this doesn't mean
much to the average veteran.
It's merely an interesting equa-
ton. To the VA its real source
of worry.
Under present laws all vets
with service-connected disabili-
ties are automatically eligible for
free care at VA hospitals. And
wartime vets with disabilities
having no connection with their
service can receive free treat
ment if they cant afford care
elsewhere, if there's space in
hospitals for them.
Since today's veterans are re-
latively young on the average,
they don't need too much medical
care from the VA. But what's
going to happen as they grow
older and start needing more
VA medical care? What's going
to happen when, within the next
half century, the number of vet
Grams over IS swells to about
seven million?
Two Ways Out
There are three possibilities.
The VA can build more hos
pitfalls, cut down on the eligibility
for care or change its methods
Of treatment to allow more vets
to receive it.
Right now the VA is working
on the latter. The basic idea is
to set up a program whereby
aged vets will need to spend less
time in VA hospitals for their
illnesses.
Along this line, the VA is de-
signaling some of its hospitals
as special centers to give care to
the aged. They're especially
equipped to treat patients with
such illnesses of the aged as
deafness, blindness, paralysis.
tumors, etc. This program is
two-fold. 1t concentrates the
special treatment and gives the
VA ideas on further treatment
which might be helpful.
The VA also is expanding its
program to rehabilitate vets
with chronic illnesses. For ex-
ample, it's increasing its use Of
physical, occupational, corrective
and educational therapies.
AS to improving the medical
care during disqualification, the
VA is involved in several special
research projects on the use of
drugs. One is the use of nico-
tinic acid to increase the flow of
blood to the brain and thereby
overcome a common mental mall
ady of the aged. Another is test
ing the effectiveness of metrazol
therapy for senile psychotic
patients. A third is using tran
QUILTING drugs to make psy-
chotic patients more agreeable to
psychiatric treatment.
Aged May Go to Homes.
Another approach is being
considered whereby the aged
vet may go from a VA hospital
into a convalescent nursing or
private home in his own COM
munity. This, the VA feels, is
applying the generally accepted
principle that the aged respond
better to treatment at home or
in institutions near their homes,
fItefds and relatives.
Further, the VA is using a pro-
gram which allows the aged vets
to receive treatment and care
while remaining at home with
families or friends. Nurses sta
toned at VA .outpatient clinics
In some cases provide this care.
In others the care is given by
public health nursing services.
The VA is also working on
other programs which will be
fitted into it's present setup as
soon as they prove valuable.
you may 1Drite Maj Mai
IN care OF The Star about your
service connected problem.
Please inclose a stamped. SELF
addressed envelope and 20
cents in conn.,
(From AP. Newsfeatures)