1. Angie Oh, MSW intern GSWEC -VA

2.  Purpose  Methods  Summary of interviews  Practical advice

3.  Most Vietnam Veterans are over 60 years old and make up almost 10% of their generation.  Part of the baby boomer population  Current and future geriatric social workers should be educated on the aging Vietnam veteran population because they will most likely encounter them in their work.  Some knowledge and cultural competency in this area can help foster healthy client-worker relationships

4.  Whenever we learn about cultural competency, we should have cultural humility  The purpose of this is not to foster any existing stereotypes about Vietnam veterans  This presentation does not represent the official opinions of the VA or Vet Center

5.  In-person and telephone interviews with  6 clinicians from the VA and 4 clinicians from the Vet Center ▪ 6 social workers, 3 psychologists and 1 psychiatrist ▪ Average length of years worked with veterans: 13.8 years ▪ Chosen through a combination of snowball and convenience sample  Four open-ended questions were asked  This PowerPoint presentation was made

6.  1. How are Vietnam veterans different from other veterans?  2. How have Vietnam veterans changed as they aged?  3. What are some common issues and themes you see in your sessions with aging Vietnam veterans?  4. What advice would you give to geriatric social work students when working with this population?

7.  Cultural upheaval and unstable homeland  Uniqueness of the Vietnam War  How they were treated when they got back  Agent Orange  PTSD  Family life

8.  Loss of important political figures  John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X  Large social movements  Women’s movement, Civil Rights Movement, etc.  Unstable homeland  Counterculture, number of traditional families were decreasing, etc.  “Go to jail or go to Vietnam”  How do these things affect their aging process?

9. Long Undeclared Political High-casualty Most unpopular war No closure; unresolved feelings First televised war  How do these things affect their aging process?

10.  People hated the war and hated the soldiers  Called “baby killers”  Spat at and yelled at  Poor treatment from the VA  Led to the formation of the Vet Center  There were a lot of jobs-went to work right away  How do these things affect their aging process?

11.  Many Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange (20 million gallons sprayed)  Paranoia  About the government ▪ Did the government know about the harm it could cause?  About their health ▪ Agent Orange is connected to Type II Diabetes, cancer, heart problems, etc. ▪ “When will be my last day”  How do these things affect their aging process?

12.  More Vietnam veterans are seeking treatment for PTSD at the VA and Vet Center  Delayed onset  More outreach from VA/Vet Center  Compensation  Retirement  How do these things affect their aging process?

13.  Boundary problems with families  Children & grandchildren are living with them  Veterans feel guilty about the times they were not available or good to their families in the past ▪ Life review ▪ Some children are taking advantage of this  Caregiving responsibilities  Taking care of their grandchildren  Taking care of their elderly parents  How do these things affect their aging process?

14.  Each veterans’ experience is unique; learn from them. They are the expert.  Educate yourself about general history/geography of the Vietnam War  If you don’t know something, ask them. Don’t pretend you know something  Allow extra time to build a relationship and get information (institutional transference)  Learn key principles of how to work with veterans in general

15.  Help them feel valuable and honor them for their service. Respect them.  Find creative ways to help them realize their strengths  Do not take things personally  Use military concepts in psychoeducation  Do not be judgmental and beware of stereotyping  Be aware of survivors guilt