Actions of geriatric and home care teams save Veteran’s life

The Robley Rex VA Geriatrics and Extended Care team received a call from a Veteran reporting that he needed assistance.

Expressing concerns about his safety, a Home Based Primary Care charge nurse took the call even though the Veteran was not enrolled in the program. They immediately assessed the Veteran was experiencing hunger, had not eaten in some time and quickly alerted the team’s dietitian, Noreen Young.  

Young immediately contacted the Veteran who acknowledged he hadn’t eaten in four days and was having difficulty leaving his second story apartment. Limited financial means also prevented food deliveries, in addition to having no one to assist with groceries.

Young realized she could get provisions to the Veteran’s home in under an hour, much quicker than the team could arrange assistance for the Veteran.

Dietitian took groceries and a hot meal to his home

After discussing the situation with Dr. Belinda Setters, an urgent in-home visit was immediately advised. Young then obtained groceries for the Veteran from the newly established food bank on site at Robley Rex VA, got him a hot meal and proceeded to his home.

The Veteran was home alone. Young prepared a meal for him and put away the groceries. She talked to him about VA benefits and resources, as well as the Medical Foster Home program and Home Based Primary Care. Young also told him that he would be seen by a primary care provider until he was able to be assessed for home care and possible Medical Foster Home enrollment.   

According to Setters, the issue of food insecurity is all too common in the Veteran community. 

“Following this incident, I gathered dietitians to discuss possible solutions to better fight food insecurity. We realized that screening every patient more thoroughly for food access and insecurity had to be a larger priority in our processes. We also identified the need to assist Veterans with more access to non-perishable foods and gift cards to assist them.”

These discussions also led to the goal of establishing a new partnership with community agencies.    

How you can help

“The sole purpose of the food pantry is precisely for emergency situations such as this one,” CDCE Chief Suzanne Harrett said. “CDCE is here to supplement and help sustain care and services for Veterans, and establishing a food pantry on-site for emergencies is a critical way to accomplish this goal. In addition to collecting food, we also have a great need for donations of travel size hygiene items, and new clothing items, such as sweatpants and t-shirts.”

Robley Rex VA is seeking community partners and individual donors to provide needed items to fight food insecurity and clothing needs of our Veterans. To learn more how you can help, please contact the CDCE by emailing VHALOUVAVS@va.gov or calling 502-287-6221.