Talking Later: Veterans' Stories of Late-Life PTSD

Two young men leave to fight, but only one comes back. Meet a Vietnam Veteran who mourns the death of his best friend. Afterwards, the hosts discuss grief, what draws people to work with older adults, and this podcast series. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. For this episode, our co-hosts are Rachel Weiskittle, an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Hannah Heinz is a graduate student pursuing geropsychology at Virginia Commonwealth University interested in a career serving older adults as a therapist and researcher.Resources for this episode:Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastVHA Office of Rural HealthFurther Reading: National Center for PTSDVA Mental HealthAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

What does it mean to survive trauma? Sometimes you take a new path, one that’s unexpected, but full of the love and hope you thought you’d never get to experience again. Meet a Vietnam Veteran who did just that. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. For this episode, our co-hosts are Rachel Weiskittle, an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Jenn Daks is a clinical psychologist at VA Boston Healthcare System. Her work focuses on promoting resilience in late life, particularly among older adult couples and families, as well as pain management. Resources for this episode: Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastVHA Office of Rural Health Further Reading: National Center for PTSD VA Mental Health Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night: Call 800-273-8255, then select 1. Start a confidential chat. Text 838255. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

Being brave and being courageous can get you through war. But asking for help? Well, sometimes that’s the hardest part. Today we hear from a Veteran who asked for help. Our hosts discuss therapy for PTSD and the VA’s commitment to rural Veterans. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Bret Hicken is a clinical psychologist and the Aging Program Manager with the VHA Office of Rural Health’s Veterans Rural Health Resource Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. His research and policy work focuses on improving access to and quality of healthcare for aging rural Veterans and those who care for them.Resources for this episode: ·Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastVHA Office of Rural HealthFurther Reading:National Center for PTSDVA Mental HealthAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 800-273-8255, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

Sometimes it’s the people closest to you who first notice that something just isn’t quite right. A Sunday morning brunch guides a Vietnam Veteran and his wife on the path to recovery. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Lola Baird is a licensed clinical social worker at the Boston VA Healthcare System. Lola received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College in 2011. Lola has spent the last decade providing direct clinical care support to different Veteran populations. Currently, Lola works as the clinic manager and senior social worker for the Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury clinic.Resources and Further Reading for this episode: · Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version The My Life My Story Podcast VHA Office of Rural Health National Center for PTSD VA Mental Health Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

How far can we run? The chaos of war doesn’t always end with survival. Meet a Vietnam Veteran who vividly remembers each loss but refuses to forget everything he has gained. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Kelly O’Malley is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director of the Mental Health Consult-Liaison Service at the VA Boston Community Living Center. Her research focuses on examining the re-emergence of PTSD in later life and developing policies and training for trauma-informed care for older adults in VA CLCs. Resources and Further Reading for this episode: · Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version The My Life My Story Podcast The Honor Flight Network Coming Home: Vietnam Veterans in American Society Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When They Returned? Mental Health Impact of Homecoming Experience Among 1730 Formerly Deployed Veterans From the Vietnam War to Current Conflicts: Results From the Veterans' Health Study - PubMed (nih.gov) Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

What makes you feel proud? A Lebanese-American Veteran from World War II discusses his childhood, his experiences in World War II and as a firefighter, and his adult life with his wife and children. Afterwards the hosts discuss the role of race, identity, and resilience in responding to trauma. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Hannah Bashian is a counseling psychologist who works with older Veterans with medical and mental health concerns. Her research interests include the impact of ageist attitudes across the lifespan and ways to combat ageism. She is currently working on adapting an approach to thinking about trauma in late life for older Veterans with health problems.Resources and Further Reading for this episode: VHA Office of Rural HealthUnderstanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version The My Life My Story Podcast National Center for PTSD VA Mental Health Article about Veterans and PTSD in Firefighters Article about PTSD Prevalence in firefighters Article about Veterans doing second service as firefighters Article about how the Military is a Good First Step to Becoming a Firefighter Article about 5 Reasons Why Veterans Are Suited to Be FirefightersPodcast on how technology can support people with PTSDAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

How do you fight for a country that may not fight for you? In this episode we meet a Vietnam-era Veteran who grapples with the complexity of understanding his place in a foreign war that ended, and the domestic war on racism that he cannot escape. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Lola Baird is a licensed clinical social worker at the Boston VA Healthcare System. Lola received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College. Lola has spent the last decade providing direct clinical care support to different Veteran populations. Currently, Lola works as the clinic manager and senior social worker for the Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury clinic. Resources and Further Reading for this episode: VHA Office of Rural HealthUnderstanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastNational Center for PTSDVA Mental HealthArticle about PTSD and racial traumaArticle about Uncovering the trauma of racismPodcast on how technology can support people with PTSD Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

How do we find answers to our losses? A female Veteran describes her work as a nurse during her military service and her lifetime spent repairing others and searching for answers to her own losses. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Anna Etchin is a Registered Nurse, Researcher, and Quality Management Specialist with the VA Boston Healthcare System. Her work focuses on trauma and resilience. Resources and Further Reading for this episode: VHA Office of Rural HealthUnderstanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastNational Center for PTSDVA Mental HealthCenter for Women VeteransWebsite about PTSD in Female VeteransArticle with a historical perspective on women veterans issuesProfile of Women VeteransAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

What would it be like to see your own name on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial? A Vietnam Veteran who grew up on a dairy farm tells about his time in Vietnam and his experiences later visiting “the Wall”. After hearing the Veteran’s story, the hosts discuss how memorials can help with healing and the idea of Later Adulthood Trauma Re-engagement. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Anica Pless Kaiser is a clinical psychologist in the National Center for PTSD (Behavioral Science Division) at VA Boston Healthcare System and an assistant professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine in Boston MA.Resources and Further Reading for this episode: VHA Office of Rural HealthUnderstanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastNational Center for PTSD VA Mental HealthNPR article on the 'My Life, My Story’ Program Academic article on the LATR framework for PTSDNational Center for PTSD About Face episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

How do you find your way back to doing what you love after trauma? A Vietnam Veteran tells us about his worst day in combat. We learn how he found his way back to farming and what’s happening now as he is older. The hosts discuss their plans for the second season and the core parts of posttraumatic stress disorder. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She is interested in grief, trauma, and the role of creative therapies in helping people heal. Jenny Moye is a geropsychologist at VA Boston where she is the Associate Director for Education and Evaluation in the New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) and is also a Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of MedicineResources and Further Reading for this episode: VHA Office of Rural HealthUnderstanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastNational Center for PTSD VA Mental HealthNPR article on the 'My Life, My Story’ Program Academic article on the LATR framework for PTSDNational Center for PTSD About Face episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a World War II Veteran with a wide range of military experiences. We discuss how PTSD treatment can allow Veterans to remember and share certain stories of their military experiences with others, often for the first time, even decades after their service. Resources discussed in this episode: Medications for PTSDVA PTSD program locatorFurther Reading:Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionVA Geriatrics and Extended CareNational Center for PTSD AboutFace episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Veteran who immigrated to the United States from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and subsequently enlisted in military service. We discuss resilience, social connection, and diversity in the military. We also discuss how nurses and other healthcare providers provide trauma-informed care. Resources discussed in this episode: Council on Foreign Relations report on US Military demographicsArticle: What is Agent Orange?Further Reading:Article on common stress reactionsAgent Orange exposure & VA disability compensationSAMSHA Concept of trauma-informed careAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Navy Veteran who ventured from the east coast to southern Texas. We discuss adverse childhood events and the concept of cumulative trauma. We further discuss the relationships between social support, connection, and healing.Resources discussed in this episode:‘Be There’ Peer Assistance Program for Veterans: 800-342-9647‘Make the Connection’ program for Veterans: https://www.maketheconnection.net/‘AboutFace’ interviews of Veterans who’ve had PTSDFurther readingVA PTSD program locatorNational Center for PTSD AboutFace episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who served as a Green Beret. He also is quite an athlete, who has played both soccer and tennis professionally. We discuss the role social reconnection as a part of healing with PTSD. Resources discussed in this episode:PTSD Effects on FamilyLearn more about VA peer support groupsFurther reading:VA PTSD program locatorNon-VA PTSD program locatorNational Center for PTSD AboutFace episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who later re-enlisted in the Airforce and served as a flight medic. We discuss how and why disconnection from others is a symptom of PTSD and the role of animals in healing. Resources discussed in this episode:VA service dogs and Veterinary Health BenefitsTravis Mills Foundation for veteransFurther Reading:Social connection and PTSDArticle on animals and PTSDCareers in agingNational Center for PTSD AboutFace episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who has experienced trauma not only related to his military service but also to sexual assault and substance use. Like many Veterans, he finds that he thinks about certain memories more over time. We discuss the different types of PTSD treatments available and the relationship between PTSD and substance use. Resources discussed in this episode:PTSD and Substance Use Treatment in VAVA Mental Health Services List & FAQSubstance use treatment locatorFurther Reading:Article about art therapy for Veterans with PTSDInformation about substance use treatment in VAInformation about substance use in older adultsSAMHSA national helplineNational Center for PTSD AboutFace episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who does so many things with his life that we titled the episode “The Multihyphenate” - meaning someone with many talents. We then discuss the four clusters of PTSD symptoms and why certain relaxation techniques can help. Resources discussed in this episode:NIH list of relaxation techniquesVA Phone app: PTSD CoachVA list of Yoga & Tai Chi resourcesFurther Reading:Symptoms of PTSD Explained: HypervigilanceLate-Onset Stress Symptom Scale (LOSS-SF)More information on the LOSS-SFNational Center for PTSD AboutFace episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who has found himself thinking more about his military experiences later in life after certain events occur – which he compares to a brick falling on his head. We discuss the relationship between avoidance and PTSD, the value of support groups, and how older Veterans may re-engage their memories.Resources discussed in this episode:VA National Center for PTSD: Understanding AvoidanceBeach ball analogy of PTSD symptomsFurther Reading:NPR article on the 'My Life, My Story’ ProgramAcademic article on support groups for older Veterans with PTSDNational Center for PTSD AboutFace episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a female Veteran who shares how she has coped with loss through creativity and adventure. We talk about the concept of wisdom and the roles of pilgrimage and vocation in healing. We also discuss the role of women in the military. Resources discussed in this episode:How to find a VA therapist for PTSDVietnam Veterans MemorialFurther Reading:Paul Baltes’ Berlin Wisdom ParadigmAcademic article on VA programs for older Veterans with PTSDAcademic article on the LATR framework for PTSDCenter for Women VeteransPTSD in Female VeteransNational Center for PTSD AboutFace episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.In this episode we hear the life story of a Vietnam Veteran who is thinking more about his military experiences as he ages. He mentions memories of rats in Vietnam and also explains that he found himself overwhelmed when recently bringing pants to a tailor who was Vietnamese. After hearing the Veteran’s story we discuss life review, resilience, later-adulthood trauma reengagement, and posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD. We also discuss the role of family and mental health care in healing. Resources discussed in this episode:Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastFurther Reading:VHA Office of Rural HealthNational Center for PTSDVA Mental HealthNPR articleHealthline articleAcademic article on the LATR framework for PTSDNational Center for PTSD AboutFace episodeAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.