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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Veterans in Touch – New soldiers in an ageless battle

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UPDATE / Oct. 6, 2016 /  The VA is having a Health Fair from 8:30AM to 1PM on Wed., Oct. 12 at the Aurora CBOC. The address is 161 S. Lincolnway, North Aurora. You will be able to get flu shots and a plethora of other screenings, health checks as well as get valuable information.

Flu shots are now available at several locations at Hines VA. If you have an appointment there get your flu shot.

Flu shots will be available at the Post on October 13 from Walgreens in conjunction with the VA. They will start at 5:45PM and stop before the start of the meeting.

—Mike Barbour


Original October 2016 Column / I am frequently at the Hines VA Hospital and the Aurora Outpatient Clinic for meetings and healthcare appointments. First of all, I want to tell you that I get excellent care at both facilities. I constantly have Veterans come up to me and say that the care they receive there is outstanding.

While at these facilities I am constantly amazed at the caregivers of the Veterans. It might be a spouse, son, daughter or friend who is making a difference with a disabled Veteran. Their love and devotion to the Veteran is clearly evident.

  • 17 percent of all Caregivers in the American population are caring for Veterans.
  • 70 percent are women caring for their spouse or partner while 1 in 4 provide care for their Veteran son or daughter.
  • 41 percent are caring for Veterans 18 to 54 years old.

November is National Family Caregivers Month.

The theme during National Family Caregivers Month is “Take care to give care.”

The first rule of taking care of others is to take care of yourself first. That rule applies to those taking care of

Veterans as well as the civilian population. Basic ways you can care for yourself are:

  • Get enough sleep and rest.
  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Make time to exercise.
  • Have periodic health check ups.
  • Spend time with family and friends.
  • Pursue your own interests.
  • Seek support from family, friends and professionals.
  • Ask for and accept help.
  • Take one day at a time.
  • Talk to you Caregiver Support Coordinator (CSC).

If you are caring for a Veteran the Caregiver Support Coordinator is Jillian Inserra. Her phone number is (708) 202-2643. If you are caring for a non-veteran I would suggest talking to your doctor or the pastor at your church.

Once again I must say that the kindness, love and devotion I see being given to loved ones by their caregivers is truly inspiring My own caregiver, my wife Jan, has stuck by me during my bouts with PTS as well as the Agent Orange complications. I’m not sure I would be here today without her support.

To all the caregivers out there, I salute you!

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Mike Barbour
Mike Barbour
Mike Barbour is a Service Officer, American Legion Post 43, and regular contributor to PN. Also contact him at mbarbour@wowway.com.

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