Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC)
Eastern Colorado GRECC Education Core
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Older Veteran Engagement Team
Engaging the Voice of the Older Veteran
Use your voice to inform research, clinical and community-based services for older Veterans and caregivers.
“OVET gave me a chance to meet people, associate, get out and learn from others.”
“Increased [my] awareness and education about available programs and resources.”
“Introduced me to other Veterans with similar concerns.”
“Good variety of topics that are of general interest.” What veterans and caregivers say about their involvement with the older veteran engagement team
Mission of the Older Veteran Engagement Team
Our mission is to promote older Veteran and caregiver engagement in planning research, clinical services and educational efforts of the Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC).
The goal of the Older Veteran Engagement Team is to help ensure that the voice of older Veterans and caregivers informs research, clinical and other types of services to support Veterans as they age.
The Older Veteran Engagement Team was formed for two reasons:
- To give Veterans and caregivers a forum to connect with their peers, learn about available support and research, and offer their opinions; and,
- To give providers, researchers and health educators a way to receive feedback at any stage of their projects/initiatives.
How Your Input Makes a Difference
Older Veterans and caregivers are experts of their own experience. By sharing your knowledge and perspectives, you can help ensure the efforts of researchers and clinical and community-based service providers are beneficial to older Veterans and their caregivers.
Our Members have provided input and feedback on topics such as:
- Ways to share information about free hearing aids available through the VA
- Using results of new research that shows older adults benefit from intensive strength training
- A new program to put Veterans in charge of deciding the support they wish to use to remain independent in their homes
Engaging the Wisdom of Older Veterans to Enhance VA Healthcare, Research, and Services
In 2022 our Team published a paper titled, "Engaging the Wisdom of Older Veterans to Enhance VA Healthcare, Research, and Services." The authors included all of the members of our team at the time and our VA facilitators. The paper was truly a joint effort with contributions from all. The following results were reported:
Return on investment of Veteran engagement is multi-faceted. For OVET, ROI ranges from grant support to improved healthcare quality/efficiency to social-emotional benefits. To date, funding awards total over $2.3 M for NIH and VA-funded projects to which OVET provided substantive feedback. Documented impacts on healthcare services include reductions in patient wait times, more appropriate utilization of services and increased patient satisfaction. Social-emotional benefits include generativity, as OVET members contribute to improving clinical and community-based supports for other Veterans. The OVET provides an opportunity for older Veterans to share their lived experience with trainees and early career investigators who are preparing for careers serving Veterans. Find the paper, Engaging the Wisdom of Older Veterans to Enhance VA Healthcare, Research, and Services, online and download a copy
Presentation: Our Work Together
Our Team has also presented on the national stage April 2023 at the Partnership for Veteran and Military Health Conference! Download our presentation slides that explain:
- Why researchers should consider including OVET in your research process?
- The Research 5-T's
- Why Health Care Providers should consider including OVET in your quality improvement efforts?
- How the Geriatric 5-M's influence our efforts and ideas
- The benefits of participation
Download the presentation Our Work Together.
Who We Wish to Engage
Veterans and Caregivers
We are actively looking for older Veterans and caregivers to volunteer for the Older Veteran Engagement Team. Contact us if you meet the following criteria and are interested in joining the team:
- Men and women age 65+ with previous experience in any branch of the military
- Those living in urban or rural areas
- Caregivers of older Veterans (spouses/partners, friends or adult children)
- Individuals with an ability to work well with others, consider different points of view, and offer a variety of perspectives
Interested in joining our team?
Please contact:
Kathryn.Nearing@va.gov or 303-724-7186
