Why Is Saturday A Good Day To Visit the VA Hospital?

Saturday at the VA Hospital

Today I stopped by the VA Puget Sound Health System hospital in Seattle  to visit a friend. Here's some practical things that I learned:

1. Parking: Usually when I stop by the hospital during the work week, I have to drive around the lot looking for an empty spot, often ending up in the neighborhood. There's always a line of cars waiting to offload patients by the main entrance. (The valets work fast, but it takes time to help people into wheelchairs!) However, on Saturday there were no lines, as you can see in the photo. I would therefore recommend that if you don't enjoy spending time hunting for a parking space, ask if you can arrange your appointment on a Saturday. It's not always possible, but what does it hurt to ask?
2. Information: I didn't know where my friend was in the complex; it has a lot of buildings and, frankly, they all look alike to me. This turned out not to be a problem. I went in the front door and asked the guard, who aimed me at the clerk in the room to the left. The clerk looked up Cyril's name in the computer, said he was on "3 East", and gave me directions. This was pretty straightforward and reasonably quick.
3. Navigation: The guard offered to show me where I was headed, but I felt I could find it on my own. I found out that the directions were correct but when you're told to take the next left, it is understood that it does not include any door marked "Construction Do Not Enter". There's a lot of improvements going on right now, and we just have to walk around it until it's done.

4. 

   Waiting Area On 3 East

   No Waiting On Saturday? As I proceeded, I saw that the clinic waiting areas were all pretty empty. I am told that there's a limited clinic schedule on Saturday, and it looks if you can get an appointment then, you might not have much time in the waiting room.
5. Nomenclature: I was initially confused by the term "3 East". I knew I was in Building 1 and that there was a Building 10 and a Building 100, but I couldn't find a Building 3 on the maps on the wall. Luckily a passing doctors straightened me out: "3 East" is the third floor of the building I was in! He went with me to the elevator and the problem was solved. 
6. Staff Attention: After this, my visit went pretty much like a visit to any other hospital. When I got off the elevator, I couldn't see a nursing station, but I went left around the corner and there it was. I asked for help locating my friend, and they directed me to his room in a friendly way.

   

   Get a Book From
   the Book Cart,
   Bring Something
   to Donate Too!

   I visited for about half an hour, during which time the place was very quiet but I could see the staff constantly working. A nurse came in to check something medical, an orderly came to remove the lunch tray, another orderly stopped by to do some cleaning, and then the nurse returned to check how much water he'd drunk (scolding him a little bit in the process - just like hospitals everywhere!) In other words, this seemed like a very normal hospital stay.
7. Book Cart: On the way out, I looked at the book cart located in the hall near the pay window. If you have to hang around this place for a while, go to the book cart for something more substantial to read than a magazine. Please note: the cart is stocked by whatever books people leave - people just like you!  I suggest that if you have a book at home that you're done with, bring it along next time to leave at the cart. Some other veteran will read it and thank you!

RAND Resources on PTSD

Combat veterans and survivors of violence, natural disasters, and terrorism have often experienced disturbing events that may lead to psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The RAND Corporation performs a lot of  research evaluating the delivery of post-deployment mental health care to combat veterans, examined the treatment capacity of health care systems in response to PTSD, and estimated the costs of providing quality mental health care to all affected individuals - and much of this is free for you to read at  http://www.rand.org/topics/ptsd.html.
A few of the more recent examples include:

• Out of the Shadows, Into the Light: Why Americans Should Care About the Health of Contractors Deploying to Conflict Environments— Jan 21, 2014
  In contrast to the numerous mental health resources available to members of the U.S. military, very few (if any) resources are available to help private contractors struggling with mental health problems. It is in the best interest of all involved to ensure that contractors receive the support and treatment they need.
• Lasting Consequences of World War II Means More Illness, Lower Education, and Fewer Chances to Marry for Survivors — Jan 21, 2014
  Experiencing World War II is associated with a greater chance of suffering from diabetes, depression, and heart disease as adults. And because so many men died during the war, fewer women married and many children were left to grow up without fathers.
• They Also Serve: Understanding the Needs of Military Caregivers — Nov 18, 2013Military families play a critical role in supporting U.S. servicemembers during deployment and afterwards. Equally vital but often less visible is the role played by those who care for the servicemembers who return with disabling injuries or illnesses and require long-term support beyond what the formal health care system provides.

This is just a sample of the highly authoritative information waiting for you at http://www.rand.org/topics/ptsd.html

Farewell, Airman Booker

Airman William L. Booker

William L. Booker was one of the last of the Tuskegee Airmen living in our state. He was a very active and involved man, an engineer contributing to our nation's defense systems and a family man. You can learn more about him at this obituary and hear his community talk about him at his memorial service.
In the past year, Mr. Booker and his family sought treatment from VA Puget Sound Health Care System. The staff at the Hospital in Seattle gave both him and his family top quality help in a difficult time, and the family has asked that we give them well-deserved recognition. Mr. Booker's final illness was this December; he and his family came to the hospital for his last hours.
Many staff members contributed to making his inevitable passing more peaceful; it is not possible to mention all of them, but they include the nurses Lomi and Rene, Doctors Murphy-Rose and Kimbley Kenebel, and the chaplain who ministered to Mr. Booker and his families throughout the dark of the night.
Veterans and Friends of Puget Sound were honored to work with the Booker family and the VA in the last year of his life. His family tells us they are very pleased with the care he received, and want to ensure that we all recognize the staff's good work. Farewell, Airman!

We're On Facebook Now

http://www.facebook.com/vafpugetsound is the new Facebook address for Veterans And Friends of Puget Sound.
If you're a Facebooker, check us out and join the conversation!

Dental Insurance for Veterans: Get It Now Through #VADIP

Keep Them Smiling!

Are you a veteran looking for dental insurance? Although Congress has not authorized the VA to pay for dental care unless you are disabled, the VA has negotiated a new "VA Dental Insurance Program" (VADIP) that lets you purchase private dental insurance at a reduced cost.

• Your participation is voluntary.
• Purchasing a dental plan does not affect your eligibility for VA dental services and treatment.
• Coverage begins January 1, 2014.
• You pay a fixed monthly premiums for coverage and any copayments required, depending on the type of plan selected.
• You may participate if you are a veteran or are in the CHAMPVA program.

What Do You Get

• Delta Dental has three options: "Standard" "Enhanced" and "Comprehensive"
• Met Life has two options: "Standard" and "High"
• Each of them lets you add some dependents for a higher premium.

What Does It Cost

See Delta Dental Rate Calculator and Met Life Rate Calculator.
The costs vary depending on: 

• where you live
• the insurance company you pick 
• the plan ("standard" or otherwise) you pick
• the number of non-veteran dependents you include
• Whether you are enrolling as a veteran or under the CHAMPVA program.

Each plan has a monthly premium, plus copayments. These are likely to change every year so you'll want to consult the latest plan documents. Don't be shy about calling both insurance agencies and trying to see if customer service can identify the plan that comes closest to your needs - just be sure your thought about what you need and WRITTEN IT DOWN FOR REFERENCE before you make the call - you don't want to forget something in the middle of the call!

I compared the 2014 monthly premium for  for Veteran only standard option:

• Delta Dental 
• Washington State (ZIP code 98204) $12.90
• West Virginia (ZIP code 26054) $8.90 
• Met Life
• Washington State (ZIP code 98204)  $25.90
• West Virginia (ZIP code 26054) $17.27 

Keep in mind that these are probably not identical plans; the difference in prices might be due to one having different coverage than the other - or it might not.

Your situation will vary so check for yourself!

• Delta Dental Rates
• Met Life Rates

Learn more

• Delta Dental 1-855-370-3303
• Met Life 1-888-310-1681
• VA website http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vadip/

Do You Have The Drive?

Typical Volunteer Van

PICTURE YOURSELF driving a fine, late-model vehicle like the one in the picture. You are taking six of your fellow veterans to their VA medical appointments at the American Lake VA hospital in Tacoma (Lakewood) or the VA hospital in Seattle. When you get there, they thank you for the ride and you know that if it weren't for you, they might have missed their appointment and not gotten the care they earned through their service. And the frosting on the cake: the VA provides the vehicle and the gas!\

This can be you! Every day, Volunteer Drivers serving in VA Puget Sound's Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) make the difference in getting veterans to their medical care. The network of vehicles are garaged all over the Puget Sound area because veterans live everywhere - there's probably thousands in your area. Now you can use your knowledge of your local roads and your driving ability to get them to their medical appoints on time.

If you have one day a month, or more, the VTN needs you! Why not get started? Just call 206-764-2195 (Seattle) or 253-583-1054 (Tacoma/Lakewood) and find out how that driver can be you! 
(Note: this program was started by Disabled American Veterans (DAV) but you do not have to be a member of DAV to participate)

Welcome Michael J. Murphy

Michael J. Murphy

Veterans and Friends of Puget Sound extends a “Welcome to the Seattle Area” to the new Director of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Michael J. Murphy. A permanent director for VA Health Care Puget Sound System has been needed for a long time! With the arrival of Director Murphy, it is hoped that some stability and long-range improvements may be on the table.
Murphy comes to us from the Fargo VA Health Care System, where he was the Medical Center Director. Previously he was a Medical Group Commander in United States Air Force from 2000 – 2002. As a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) he is board certified in healthcare management through the American College of Healthcare Executives.