Veteran's journey to homeownership through Whole Health
U.S. Air Force Veteran Tina Hart was dealing with ongoing problems from a disruptive neighbor, making her home life stressful.
Despite her best efforts to find resolution, Hart received no help from building management. For almost a year, she endured this living situation.
Referral to Whole Health
“I had a difficult next-door neighbor, and when I went to the apartment management with this problem, they didn’t help,” explained Hart. “My neighbor was constantly loud, and so many people came in and out of that apartment. Large groups of people would hang out on the balcony drinking and smoking well after midnight. The noise every night made it hard for me to sleep, which affected my mood and disrupted my family’s daily routines.”
Then, one day, during an appointment, her therapist, Mischa Blanchard, recommended the Whole Health program to help Hart navigate her stressful living environment.
“Mischa thought Whole Health could help me manage stress to improve my living situation and overall wellbeing,” recalled Hart.
The suggestion of a possible solution empowered Hart to take control of her situation.
Whole Health approach
Hart completed a Personal Health Inventory (PHI) and was introduced to Whole Health’s comprehensive framework, which includes eight areas of self-care.
The PHI is used to help Veterans assess all areas of their health and well-being. It’s designed to empower them to take charge of their health care and set goals aligning with their values and aspirations.
Veterans will answer questions such as:
- Are you getting enough sleep at night to refresh your body and mind?
- Are you eating foods and beverages that nourish and fuel you?
- Are you surrounding yourself with people you love and care about?
- Are you finding opportunities to lean and grow?
The eight areas of self-care include:
- Moving your body—exercise and movement for energy, flexibility, and strength
- Surroundings—how things around you affect your body and emotions
- Personal development—learning and growing throughout your lifetime
- Food and drink—nourishing your body
- Recharge—sleep, rest, relaxation
- Family, friends, and co-workers—your relationships with others
- Spirit and soul—a sense of connection, purpose, and meaning
- Power of the mind—tapping into your ability to heal and cope
Dr. Candy Cromell, who holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and is a Registered Nurse (RN) and National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), serves as Hart’s Whole Health coach.
“Nobody has perfect surroundings all the time,” explained Cromell. “Through the Personal Health Inventory, we assessed various aspects of Tina’s surroundings such as her safety and noise. Tina determined improving her surroundings was the most important to her.”
A transformative event
Hart would attend a Whole Health orientation that marked a turning point for her.
“In a meeting, a gentleman shared how Whole Health helped him buy his house,” recalled Hart. “That was encouraging. I had a way out of the current chaos.”
Whole Health recognizes the critical role that housing, and surroundings play in a Veteran's health and well-being.
By working with Whole Health coaches, Veterans can learn to assess their surroundings, understand their personal reactions to different environments and take steps to create spaces that contribute positively to their health.
Implementation and support
With Cromell’s guidance, Hart devised a plan to change her surroundings.
“Surroundings include where the Veteran lives, works, learns, plays, and worships—indoors and out,” said Cromell. “Safe, stable and comfortable surroundings positively affect a person's health.”
Cromell assisted Hart in prioritizing and connecting with the necessary resources to prepare her for homeownership. This included helping Hart understand how to secure a VA loan, which provided a financial avenue to buy a home.
Cromell also helped Hart prioritize needs, enabling her to find a realtor who worked with her to find a home that met her family’s needs, and complete paperwork for the loan and closing on her new home.
Achieving homeownership
“I set a goal to have my own home by July 4, 2023, and with support from Whole Health and Candy, I secured a VA loan and purchased a home in Arizona for my family—something I couldn’t have imagined doing before,” reflected Hart.
By focusing on her surroundings as part of the self-care spectrum, Whole Health helped Hart recognize the link between her environment and her well-being, guiding her toward a solution that involved securing a new, peaceful environment.
Outcome and reflection
Hart acknowledged Whole Health’s profound impact, crediting the program with changing her life. Hart recommends exploring holistic health options for Veterans to take charge of their wellbeing and achieve their desired goals.
Whole Health empowers and equips Veterans to take charge of their health, wellbeing and quality of life, going beyond your illnesses, injuries, or disabilities, and focuses instead on their values, goals, and overall health. It includes self-care and complementary therapies along with conventional medical care.
VA Western Colorado's Whole Health program includes:
- Acupuncture and massage therapy to help you manage pain without drugs
- Meditation and mindfulness training
- Yoga and tai chi classes
Veterans, ask your doctor about Whole Health services available for you. Learn more about VA Whole Health.
Jesus Flores is a writer & editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force and a Marine Corps Veteran