The UK’s leading military charity has nurses and occupational therapists among its ranks who visit veterans and family members in their homes, providing life-changing healthcare support. They’re also on the frontline, in the fight against isolation that affects tens of thousands of people following a career in the military. “I’ve got around 80 veterans on my caseload, the oldest is 95, the youngest is 21,” said nurse Karen.
“I’m finding that more and more veterans of all ages are extremely isolated. When they were serving, they had friends and support constantly around them. The minute they leave, they lose all that.
A lot of veterans don't want to reach out because they see it as a sign of weakness. Karen is still looking after the Armed Forces community at Help for Heroes (Image: Help For Heroes) “Some live on their own and don’t leave their house other than to go shopping. They don’t make meaningful connections.
“If I’ve got somebody who’s struggling with their benefits, I’ll do a home visit with a case manager who can help with welfare issues. “I spend a lot of time writing to GPs and hospitals, getting veterans the services they need, such as physiotherapy. If I do a home assessment and somebody needs help with their daily routine, like seat raisers or grip bars, I refer them to our occupational therapists.
Often, we do home visits together.” “There are several ways I can support from a clinical point of view. I carry out medication revi.
