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Those who choose to serve our country deserve the utmost respect and support. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know how to offer that aid and how to relate to many of the experiences they might have had while serving.
We’ll help you understand your veteran’s needs from helping them cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to finding the best auto insurance for disabled veterans.
#1 – Ease Their Transition Back
It will be impossible to fully comprehend any veteran’s individual experience. Anything from their military branch to the amount of time they were on the ground will drastically change how they processed their time serving.
Beyond that, each veteran’s ability to cope with traumatic events varies drastically. Because of this, it is important to provide a safe, flexible space for them when they return home.
Normalcy might be difficult or even impossible to achieve again. That’s okay. It is crucial to not blame readjustment difficulties on the veteran and work together to live with the aftermath. It is important to honor their humanity and support their return to civilian life however possible.
One great resource that goes over the different readjustment issues you might face together is the “Vet and Family Information Booklet” by James Munroe. Veterans Families United provides the resource for free and offers a quick breakdown of different scenarios.
#2 – Help Them Get Medical Care
Ensuring your veteran has access to any medical care they request or require is definitely a huge deal. In fact, some nonprofits like Disabled American Veterans (DAV) offer to drive any veteran to their medical appointments, help them fill out benefit claims, and much more.
Of course, ideally, you will be able to help them by taking on these roles if they need you to. Once again, it is important to be patient with any veteran when it comes to medical needs.
Obviously, if there is an emergency, you should immediately contact an emergency line or professionals to ensure they are supported however necessary, but ultimately it is up to any veteran to decide when is the right time to seek medical support.
This could mean therapy, rehabilitation, or any number of medical treatments.
Let them know where you see a need for professional support. But ensure that they know nothing will be forced and that you will support them whenever they decide for themselves to take advantage of the vast network of veterans’ benefits.
#3 – Support a Service Dog for Them or Others
Service dogs can be a very supportive tool for veterans with PTSD, brain injuries, vision impairments, or various physical injuries. VA benefits will sometimes cover the cost of a service dog, but the veteran will need to meet with a healthcare provider beforehand to discuss any mental or physical limitations.
Then they will determine if a service dog is an ideal approach and they will submit an application on the veteran’s behalf.
In addition, you might be able to reach out to various local organizations that focus on providing service dogs to vets. Some of the most famous privately-owned organizations are the Puppy Jake Foundation or Puppies Behind Bars, which works with prison inmates to raise dogs for veterans.
Additional resources can be found fairly easily by looking online for “service dogs for veterans” in your area.
#4 – Understanding PTSD
One of the most common consequences of serving in the military is PTSD. According to DAV (a nonprofit charity that provides lifetime veteran support), PTSD affects “11-20% of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans, approximately 12% of Gulf War veterans, and 15% of Vietnam veterans.”
If you or your veteran are showing signs of PTSD, seeking medical support can be extremely helpful. Some forms of PTSD might be the result of chemical imbalances within one’s brain. Other times, it could be more complex and require counseling or other forms of mental health services.
Acknowledging a need for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Centers across the country offers a broad range of PTSD-related services.
#5 – Ensure They Receive the Best Veteran Car Insurance
It might seem odd for car insurance to be featured on a list along with heavy subjects like PTSD. But your veteran served the country and earned their title as well as many advantages when it comes to insurance or other veterans benefits. Now it’s time to make sure they take advantage of some of these perks.
U.S. News & World Report and other sources assert that USAA car insurance is the best car insurance option for veterans and active-duty military.
This is because of its lowest national average rates, strong customer service scores, and strong claims handling scores. The only disadvantage is you must be a veteran or their immediate family. Of course, that’s not a huge issue if you’re reading this list.
It is still important to compare rates on your own, as you never know which policy will best accommodate both you and your veteran’s own needs. Other companies like GEICO still offer up to a 15% discount to veterans and their families.
These companies may also provide other options for lowering your auto insurance premiums. Some of these ways include certain vehicle safety features, taking a defensive driving course, your driving record, bundling policies, and even insuring more than one vehicle.
#6 – Verbally Express Your Appreciation
It might be impossible to understand exactly what your loved one went through in the active service. But you can let them know how much you appreciate their sacrifice. The simple words “thank you” can mean a lot to your veteran or anyone you might see in a military uniform.
Another great way to express your gratitude is to document their stories and share them. The Veterans History Project aims to collect tales from every war and house them in the Library of Congress. Help veterans share their stories before it’s too late.
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Luke Williams writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, VeteransAutoInsurance.com. His passions include best practices for insurance and assisting today’s veterans with their transitions back to civilian life.
