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Symposium

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Enhancing Care for Older Veterans with Complex Physical, Cognitive, and Psychological Comorbidities

Saturday, November 11, 2023
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET
Location: Room 125

Older veterans present in healthcare settings with more diagnoses than younger veterans and non-veteran older adults. Older veterans are also more likely to present with co-occurring physical, cognitive, and psychological conditions that are difficult to assess and treat. This is further complicated by the fact that many older veterans reside in rural areas without easy access to specialty care and, even in non-rural settings, there is a dire shortage of providers with geriatric expertise both within and outside of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system. The current symposium highlights promising findings from a variety of VHA programs aimed at enhancing the quality and reach of care provided to older veterans with complex needs. First, Dr. Bamonti will present mixed-methods results from her work in the development of Step-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a novel virtual intervention for older veterans with COPD. Second, Ms. Carlson will describe program evaluation outcomes from a project aimed at expanding geriatric mental health services via telehealth to older veterans with complex needs residing in rural areas. Third, Dr. Peeples will discuss factors affecting the implementation of the VA Behavioral Recovery Outreach Team model, which is aimed at facilitating successful discharge from inpatient settings and preventing rehospitalization for older veterans. Finally, Dr. Gregg will describe qualitative findings examining a component of the Geriatric Scholars Program for Psychologists, a national post-licensure training program for psychologists treating older rural veterans with complex needs. Dr. Karel, National Director of VHA Geriatric Mental Health, will close with discussion and highlight future directions.

Learning Objectives:

  • After attending this session, participants will be able to describe facilitators and barriers to effective care for older veterans with complex physical, cognitive, and psychological comorbidities.
  • After attending this session, participants will be able to identify emerging interventions aimed at improving care for older veterans with complex needs.
  • After attending this session, participants will be able to discuss novel workforce training opportunities for providers caring for older veterans with complex comorbidities.

Presentations:

  • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET
    Facilitating Growth via Independent Learning Plans for Psychologists Treating Older Veterans With Chronic Illness

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jeffrey J. Gregg, PhD (he/him/his) – Durham VA Medical Center

  • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET
    Evaluating the Behavioral Recovery Outreach (BRO) Team Model: Team Members' Perspectives

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Amanda D. Peeples, PhD (she/her/hers) – Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center

  • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET
    The Lived Experience of COPD and Emotional Distress in US Veterans: A Mixed-Method Study

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Patricia M. Bamonti, PhD, ABPP (she/her/hers) – VA Boston Healthcare System

  • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET
    Connecting Aging Rural Veterans With Tele-Geriatric Mental Health: Referring Providers' Surveyed Perspective

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Chalise Carlson, MA (she/her/hers) – Department of Veterans Affairs