Dear Editor:

Over the past few weeks, those who read the American Legion column in the Register have been inundated with information about the Veteran Geriatric and Extended Care Townhall event being held Saturday, July 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on 25 Industrial Park Drive in Boothbay. 

I hope the veterans got the message that this is a really important event.  But, as all the veteran banners hanging in the towns have testified this year, veterans’ families really do support their veteran loved ones.  So, this letter is to encourage the families, and eventually the caregivers of our veterans, to also attend this event. 

It is the families who are now, or will be, facing the difficult decision of how to take care of their veteran at home and when the time comes, what residential care is available, who should attend this event. The VA leadership in the following areas will be there:  Home Base Primary Care, Caregiver Support, Geriatric Extended Care, Veteran Direct Care, Homemaker Home Health Aid, Community Adult Day, Contract Nursing Home Coordinator, Medica Foster Home, and their boss, the director of the VA Healthcare, Trayce Davis.  There will also be experts there who can explain how Medicare, Medicaid , and VA healthcare all work together to support the veterans long term care. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to take advantage of the services your veteran (or you) has earned! 

David Patch, CDR/USN (Ret.) 

American Legion Post 36