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soldierant

(8,483 posts)

35. The VA is a Federal Agency, but

Reply to justaprogressive (Original post)

Wed Apr 23, 2025, 05:37 PM

Apr 23

it also has to be knowledgeable about, and for all know administer, state benefits to veterans. When I left the Marine Corps and moved to Colorado, I of course checked in with the VA. Colorado was them what we today would call a red state (the colors have changed since then) and since I had no service connected disability, and had not stayed in longe enought o retire, there was pretty much nothing I was entitled to. My DD214 says honorable under honorable conditions, by the way. And Colorado is pretty blue today, so things may have changed. But I was grateful to have learned up front what I didn't have,so I could make other choices as I aged. That was close to 50 years ago, and I am now close to 80, and have some age-related disabillities and conditions, but I also have Medicare, at least for now.

One can't assume that Veterans' care is the best, particularly when what we call veterans' care is actually mostly Retirees care. All military retirees are veterans, but not all veterans are retirees. The people and agencies who know this need to do a better job of making it clear.

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NCgayguy

58 replies

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Highlight:

"But They Are Dying." Hospice physicians like me can't usually offer patients the care they need. - Slate [View all] justaprogressive Apr 23 OP

Kicking. n/t ChazII Apr 23 #1

Hospice care is one of the greatest services possible GulfofMexico Apr 23 #34

How sad the U.S. does not fund full hospice care. AloeVera Apr 23 #2

It's even worse if you don't have any family support Random Boomer Apr 23 #14

It shouldn't be that way. AloeVera Apr 23 #20

That is the boat I am now in CountAllVotes Apr 24 #49

hospice benefits CountAllVotes Apr 23 #3

That is bizarre - completely the opposite of my experience recently with hospice whopis01 Apr 23 #6

Our health care "system" sucks. That was one sad example and I am sorry 😞 Evolve Dammit Apr 23 #9

And it is not the fault of doctors and nurses. Just to clarify Evolve Dammit Apr 23 #11

it really sucks CountAllVotes Apr 23 #23

I am so sorry for him to have to put up with all that, and then pass. And your frustration. Your anger is justified. Evolve Dammit Apr 23 #30

You must have gotten hold of one of the few hospice folks with no empathy. lark Apr 23 #10

It has ruined my life! CountAllVotes Apr 23 #24

Must Rebl2 Apr 23 #18

There was no "choice" CountAllVotes Apr 23 #25

This matches my experience with my uncle Farmer-Rick Apr 23 #41

Thanks for sharing CountAllVotes Apr 24 #48

Oh, I feel ya EuterpeThelo Apr 23 #44

Damn! CountAllVotes Apr 24 #47

I had a bad experience with hospice too when my husband was dying maptap22 Apr 24 #53

I hope I have the courage to take assisted end of life if I ever get in a terminal cancer or 3Hotdogs Apr 23 #4

I lived through this with my Daddy. I miss him. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Apr 23 #5

Hospice was wonderful LittleGirl Apr 23 #7

Hospice care should seriously reduce suffering. Prairie_Seagull Apr 23 #8

Great health care system. Just wonderful. Mr. Mustard 2023 Apr 23 #12

I don't understand why people don't use MAID. Jacson6 Apr 23 #13

Where do you live? Random Boomer Apr 23 #15

This message was self-deleted by its author Ruby the Liberal Apr 23 #36

Sorry - self deleted. Ruby the Liberal Apr 23 #38

Never Rebl2 Apr 23 #19

Medical Assistance In Dying. It used to be called assisted suicide. n/t Jacson6 Apr 23 #21

There are only a handful of states that allow Death with Dignity Ruby the Liberal Apr 23 #37

MAID is only available/authorized drmeow Apr 23 #39

And republicans don't give a shit.......... joshdawg Apr 23 #16

I could not have survived my wife's cancer without the angels in hospice. bluescribbler Apr 23 #17

My Husband just died in Hospice in our home in Jan this year NCgayguy Apr 23 #22

Oh, my heart EuterpeThelo Apr 23 #45

Thank you for your reply. NCgayguy Apr 25 #58

This message hit me like a thunderbolt... Moostache Apr 23 #26

Big hug to you SARose Apr 23 #32

we had a horrible experience with in patient hospice when my mom was dying. Native Apr 23 #27

Mine was awful too CountAllVotes Apr 23 #28

My Grandpere spent the last month or so of his life in a hospice. It was a gift to us all... TygrBright Apr 23 #29

My Mother-In-Law passed in a hospice hospital SARose Apr 23 #31

Tom apparently was lucky enough to get into a good facility. totodeinhere Apr 23 #33

just hope to die painlessly in my sleep CountAllVotes Apr 24 #50

The VA is a Federal Agency, but soldierant Apr 23 #35

I want to die in Italy JustAnotherGen Apr 23 #40

I can't imagine how my experience with Hospice could have been any better than it was. jackcrow2001 Apr 23 #42

I'm so afraid of that time in my life Tickle Apr 23 #43

God Bless You blueinredLa Apr 23 #46

Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Apr 24 #56

I took care of my husband at home. The hospice nurse came a few times to make sure everything was ok. TommieMommy Apr 24 #51

I had no idea there was such drastic variation in the quality of hospice services! ShazzieB Apr 24 #52

In patient hospice even if it is good costs a fortune and is not fully covered if at all Meowmee Apr 24 #54

If there is a trick to get the best care one can, Prairie_Seagull Apr 24 #55

I bought my wife and sons copies of the book "That Good Night" as this is how I expect to die. NNadir Apr 25 #57