Suicide Prevention: Part 2

Greetings,

Today brings a sequel to our prior story about "Jim", the veteran who spiraled downward after the suicide of a close friend.  Jim subsequently survived two more suicide attempts, and his Caregiver wife was working to find a stable solution and postvention care for him (http://veterancaregiver.blogspot.com/2013/02/suicide-attempt-please-seek-follow-up.html).  The story continues this way ...

Jim is still awaiting a PTSD program.  Two additional suicide attempts have been made, prompting 911 calls and hospitalizations.  His wife has endured many personally dangerous situations trying to obtain stable, consistent mental health care for her husband.  Jim's medications have been juggled between three VA's with conflicting opinions and prescription changes.  As we write, the most recent SPC (Suicide Prevention Coordinator), Case Manager, nor primary care Social Worker have returned phone calls or email.  Escalation has gone nowhere.  Caseloads are too high.  It is vacation time.  The voice mailboxes are full.  This is a serious situation.  However, it is not a single story; there are many.   

Together, let's remedy this situation, shall we?  On Tuesday, June 11^th, 11am EDT, please join us for a radio interview on the American Heroes Network (info below).  We will be talking with Edward White, the creator of the CallApp.  CallApp is a suicide prevention smartphone app that permits anyone to build a personal on-call virtual safety/crisis network comprised of friends, family, medical professionals, and community resources.  At the touch of a single button, this technology will permit personalized choices to the person in crisis.  If they need 911, it's there.  Their veteran buddy who calms them; there.  Their mental health counselors; there.  Special wellness programs, calming methods, and a network of caring, responsive people and organizations personally selected would reside on Jim's phone.  This is not a one-size-fits-all solution - but an extraordinary solution that will fit Jim. CallApp is customizable to satisfy the needs of family members, battle buddies, medical/mental health partners, close friends, and others.  These are people Jim trusts and who will answer the phone.  Respond.  It is a lifeline to bridge the gaps in communication support that exist today.

CallApp takes technology and leverages it with people who care about and for Jim. People support and save people.  Join us Tuesday to hear more!

With respect and great care,

Linda Kreter and the VeteranCaregiver Team

American Heroes Radio Network:

(http://hero.ub1.co/page/31) 

Follow-Up is VITAL...

Greetings,

Today's issue:  Follow-up is critical to resolving caregiver and vet/warrior problems.

Yet, it is so very, very difficult to “encourage” follow-up or to escalate the issue(s) because it’s often a case of “Shoot the Messenger”.  Not good. 

There are many unresolved issues we could write about here, but our goal is not to point fingers.  We do, however, want to voice that most problems are best solved while they are small and manageable.  Left hanging, caregivers and vets/warriors become increasingly frustrated, with some descending into depression and high anxiety with no way to receive an answer to a question.  When caregivers direct their questions to a superior, they are often told that they are overstepping, that they should accept that the system is slow, and to “wait their turn”.  Problems grow and ferment. 

 Not good.  There is a better way to manage this for both sides.

We implore the system to consider making customer service a priority – for medical and mental health reasons.  A callback or email is proof that someone cares.  Most of the time, the healthcare provider would not receive 4-6 reminder voicemails if they made a quick return call or email to alert the caller that they are looking into their problem and when to expect a response.    And, if a response time is provided to a caregiver or veteran, they should then refrain from repeat calls and messages and await the response.  Just think, fewer voicemail boxes full and not accepting messages!  Setting expectations is both a courteous and safe alternative to a stressed system.

We all have 24 hours in each day and make choices on how to spend that time.  If overall communication is improved, it would go a long way toward making more of those work hours productive and efficient.  Can we please make a commitment to work on this?

Thanks to countless caregivers and vets for their input and feedback to providing a potential solution to this growing challenge.

Warm regards,

Linda Kreter & the VeteranCaregiver Team

Good Communication Works! (Follow-Up to Last Blog)

Greetings!

A quick update to share that appropriate communication and follow-up bring positive results!  After last week’s wounded warrior accident at Walter Reed, calls were made, and today we received word that the construction contractor in charge of the open pipe has been advised to do routine safety checks.  Any noted construction hazards will be clearly marked to avoid future accidents.  Even though this sounds like simple common sense (it definitely is!), we believe it is also demonstration and affirmation of good communication, persistence, and sound follow-up.

Also, the service member is recovering well from the additional injury from falling into the open pipe, and that is excellent news. 

When in Doubt – Reach Out!  Let’s keep working together to lead and act by example, using sound communication from beginning to resolution!

Linda & the VCG Team

How Do You Keep Going?

Good evening,

It has been a very tough week.  And, somehow, it’s harder to manage the emotional turmoil when the weather is beautiful than in the cold of winter.  We are always, always glad to help Caregivers and their families, but it’s becoming more difficult to understand why the multiple calls and connections we make on behalf of families isn’t being done by those whose jobs exist solely to assist Veterans.  No system is perfect, but the dysfunction seems epic.

Ask yourself if any of the following surprises you?

·         Veteran cannot get a replacement motorized scooter for broken one when completely immobile without it

·         Caregiver cannot obtain monthly pain meds for husband with over 5 days notice, and goes without meds over weekend (31 days wreaks havoc)

·         Veteran has two orthopedic surgeries (one corrective of the other) and is sent home without assistance nor coordination with Caregiver

·         Rehabiliation specialist tells the Caregiver to “Shut Up” when explaining the downward spiral of immobility of her husband

·         Families buy hospital bed/toilet/assistive devices/crutches/etc off Craigslist because cannot obtain after months of waiting

·         Veteran told his wheelchair is denied because his injury “isn’t service-connected enough”

·         Veteran told no admittance to PTSD program because “you need to be physically and mentally well first”

·         Veteran told by emergency line that “I see you’re a ‘frequent flyer’ on this line – what do you want this time?”

·         Caregiver and Veteran not heard when they explained that a med he took was causing him to be physically violent (they stopped it anyway)

·         Delay upon delay in ratings, mental health appointments, approvals, referrals, treatment

·         Calls and emails to VA care teams and coordinators not returned in two days, four days, a week, ever…

Thank goodness Caregivers and Veteran families are strong, well-spoken, and determined.  They have to be.  This VCG Community will continue to listen, respond, provide contacts and a warm hand-off to caring resources, and will find you that battle buddy, someone to help, and stick with you until the issues are resolved as far as possible.  We only wish that the indignities, the disrespect, and the undermining of the Caregiver and Veteran would dwindle and cease.  We look forward to the day when no one is surprised that we are asking for help for what you earned, that those that are paid to do so readily provide it, and then -- make it their responsibility to follow-up and care.

As a very old song goes:  Wishin’ and hopin’ and thinkin, and prayin’,

The VeteranCaregiver Team

Does Courtesy Matter When Lives Hang in the Balance?

Greetings, friends,

     A common theme has run through VeteranCaregiver since its inception in spring 2010:  caregiver and veteran persistence is needed in order to achieve progress or problem resolution.  Most accept this truth and reality.
     Lately, however, when lives hang in the balance because a "courtesy" is lacking, then we all experience a systemic problem. Throughout VCG, you already know of some serious caregiver and veteran issues that resulted in urgent and immediate coordination and action.  However, what is the protocol when there is no visible after-action?  Calls unreturned, and certainly no proactive follow-up?
    This is not compassionate care. It is not right.  And, it is simple to fix.  
    This VCG community of peers, mentors, friends, and professionals has always followed through.  Caring is abundant and actions supersede words. Please convey the message far and wide that veterans and caregivers cannot and must not suffer or even die because they were not a priority and afforded a "courtesy". 
Thank you for caring, supporting, and reaching out.  A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
Linda