Pittsburgh Veterans get health care at select VFW, American Legion posts

Pittsburgh VA now provides adult day health care to eligible Veterans at select American Legion and VFW posts.

A ribbon cutting was held at the Mars VFW Post 7505 in Butler to officially launch its new Adult Day Health Care Mobile Veteran Program.

The program provides Veterans with the opportunity to socialize and participate in various physical activities at American Legion and VFW posts near their homes. It is staffed by Pittsburgh VA employees who work with each Veteran and their caregiver to develop individualized care plans.

Prior to the pandemic, Pittsburgh VA provided adult day health care on-site at its campus in O’Hara township. Under the new mobile format, VFW and American Legion Veterans Service Organizations host the program in their facilities on a rotating basis. The program is currently available at locations in Mars, Natrona Heights, West View, Carnegie and New Kensington. Pittsburgh VA expects to add more sites.

Helps Veterans learn more about VA services

Vincent Sommariva, an Army Special Forces Veteran who attended the ribbon cutting, said having the program close to Veterans’ homes makes it easier for them to participate. It will also help Veterans learn more about VA services. “When it comes to VA, there’s a lot of opportunities that aren’t recognized by Veterans because they don’t know what’s available to them,” he said.

Mars VFW Commander Russell Christiana, an Army sergeant major with 39 years of military service, spoke about the importance of Veterans having a place to visit to socialize with their peers. “That interaction really helps. We have Veterans who don’t talk a lot and this gives them the opportunity to interact,” he said.

Mars VFW will host the program once each week. Christiana said he’s optimistic that having the program at the Mars VFW will attract more Veterans, especially younger ones, to join VFW.

Veterans must be enrolled in VA health care to participate in the program.

Find more information about the Adult Day Health Care Mobile Veteran Program.