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healthVOLUME 3, 2011 matters RECLAIM Your Life through LEISURE Vietnam Veterans Howie Slater, Jim Wyatt, Antone interpersonal skills they’ve learned. Veterans can Sousa and Louis Workman get together to workout at reclaim their life through leisure and recreation.” the Presidio YMCA in San Francisco. They are enrolled “I really look forward to going to the Y,” said in the Presidio Fitness Program for Veterans, a form of Wyatt. “Of all the therapy I have received from the recreation therapy provided by the San Francisco VA VA, this program ranks at the top. It takes care of Medical Center in partnership with the Presidio YMCA. many needs. You can see and feel the positive results Chris Geronimo, Recreation Therapist in the PTSD in a short period of time. Chris was very tuned in to Outpatient Clinic at the San Francisco VA Medical our individual needs. He would tailor each individual Center and Director of the Presidio Fitness Program program for maximum results.” states, “In a nutshell, recreation therapy is a gateway Cont. on page 6 toward better health and wellness. It uses a holistic approach to augment a Veteran’s existing treatment plan and allows the Veteran to practice the coping and

Veterans Howie Slater, Jim Wyatt, Antone Sousa and Louis Workman | SFVAMC Fitness Program VA NATIONAL NEWS VA Creates Women VA Reaches Out to Veterans to Explain Veterans Call Center Upcoming Changes to GI Bill Encourages Veterans to Visit VA Web Site to Learn More VA is reaching out to inform Veterans of recent changes made by Congress to the Post 9/11 GI Bill that took effect in 2011.

General Allison Hickey, Under Secretary for Benefits, said “The Post 9/11 GI Bill is incredibly VA has embarked on a major important because it reduces the financial burdens of higher education so initiative to reach out to women that Veterans have an opportunity to achieve their education goals. VA Veterans in order to solicit believes it is important for Veterans to be aware of changes to the GI Bill their input on ways to enhance this year and learn more about how these changes may affect them.” the health care services VA provides to women Veterans. “It’s hard to believe how far we have all come with the Post-9/11 GI Bill the past two years,” stated General Hickey. “Today, more than 537,000 “We are taking a proactive students have received over $11.5 billion in GI Bill benefits to help them approach to enhancing take charge of their future.” VA health care for women Veterans,” said Secretary Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill effective Aug. 1, 2011, include paying Shinseki. “We are seeking the actual net cost of all public in-state tuition and fees, rather than the input of women Veterans basing payments upon the highest in-state tuition and fee rates for every so that VA can continue to state; capping private and foreign tuition at $17,500 per academic year; provide high quality health care and ending payments during certain school breaks, to preserve Veterans’ to the growing numbers of entitlement for future academic semesters. Also, certain students women Veterans.” attending private schools in select states can now continue to receive benefits at the same rate payable during the previous academic year. Representatives at VA’s Health Resource Center are placing Beginning Oct. 1, 2011, eligible individuals will be able to use the Post- calls to women Veterans 9/11 GI Bill for programs such as non-college degrees, on-the-job nationwide, asking them to training, and correspondence courses, and they will be eligible to receive share their experiences with a portion of the national monthly housing allowance rate when enrolled VA and suggest potential only in distance learning courses. enhancements that will further VA’s mission to provide the Complete information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill is available at: best care anywhere. www.gibill.va.gov. VA’s education information phone number is: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (442-4551).

2 Veterans’ healthmatters VA Launches New Prevention Initiative HUD, VA To Provide Permanent Housing to Serve 22,000 Veteran Families at and Support to Risk of Homelessness Thousands of Homeless Vets Nearly $60 Million in Homeless Funding part of Obama Prevention Grants Awarded Administration plan to end Nationwide Veteran homelessness On July 26, 2011, Secretary Shinseki U.S. Housing and Urban announced the award of nearly $60 Development Secretary Shaun million in homeless prevention grants Donovan and Secretary Shinseki that will serve approximately 22,000 announced that HUD will homeless and at-risk Veteran families provide $46.2 million to public as part of the new Supportive Services housing agencies in all 50 states for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. and the District of Columbia This initial $60 million award will to supply permanent housing serve Veteran families at 85 non-profit and case management for 6,790 community agencies in 40 states and homeless Veterans in America. the District of Columbia under VA’s new homeless prevention initiative. This funding, from HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive “This new homeless prevention Housing Program (HUD- program will provide additional VASH), is a coordinated effort comprehensive support to Veterans by HUD, VA, and local housing who have served honorably, and now agencies to provide permanent find themselves in a downward spiral housing for homeless Veterans. toward despair and homelessness,” “Over the past three years, said Secretary Shinseki. “This HUD helped thousands of program expands our capacity to act homeless Veterans find a before a Veteran becomes homeless permanent place to call home and to target the problem of family while VA provided medical homelessness. These grants would treatment, case management not have been possible without the and other services to address extraordinary partnerships forged their specific needs,” said HUD with community organizers who are Secretary Donovan. “We have firmly committed to making a positive no greater mission than to difference in lives of Veterans and prevent and end homelessness, their families.” especially for those brave men and women who risked their More information about VA’s homeless programs is available online at lives to protect our nation.” www.va.gov/homeless. A list of award recipients and details about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program are available online Find out about HUD-VASH at www1.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp. at www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ HUD-VASH.asp www.visn21.med.va.gov 3 VA Facility Highlights VA Central VA Northern California Health Care System Solar Power Up and Running in VANCHCS California Health The VA Northern California Health Care System is going green with Eco- Care System Friendly Solar Power that uses clean, renewable energy from sunlight. Medical Salute to VACCHS facilities use a huge amount of energy. Solar power is being widely adopted as On Aug. 5, VA Central part of the solution to that problem. California Health Care System hosted a gala ribbon cutting to McClellan Outpatient Clinic recently completed installation of 172 KW-AC reopen the front entrance of photovoltaic power systems to increase energy efficiency and reduce the Fresno Medical Center. The greenhouse gas emissions by 3 percent a year, for a total of 30 percent by the event featured combat decorated end of 2015. The solar power system at McClellan utilizes 920 photovoltaic Veterans from World War II, modules and includes a mix of rooftop and carport solar panels. In addition Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, to using solar power, the carports also create shaded parking spaces. Iraq, and Afghanistan, including two women Veterans, as VIP McClellan was the first solar photovoltaic project in Veteran Integrated ribbon cutters. Congressmen Service Network 21 and generates about 300,000 kwh per year. This is Jim Costa (D, CA-20) and Jeff expected to save the facility more than $37,000 in annual electricity costs. Denham (R, CA-19) spoke about the quality of care and Solar power at Mare Island Outpatient Clinic has been running for ten compassionate treatment given weeks. Sacramento Medical Center’s project is complete and will come on to Veterans by VACCHS staff. line shortly. The project for Martinez Outpatient Clinic is scheduled to begin construction in the first quarter of fiscal year 12. The highlight of the ribbon cutting was a flyover of a VA Sierra Pacific Health Care System Vintage World War II T-34 Beechcraft airplane piloted by VASNHCS Veterans are introduced to Tai Chi retired Marine aviator Vince A weekly Tai Chi class is now Nastro. Wounded Warrior and offered at the VA Sierra Nevada VACCHS patient Sgt. Devin Healthcare System. Current Mathis was a ride along. participants include Veterans and staff members from all walks of This project took six months life and age ranges. All Veterans to complete and increased and staff members are invited to patient access to VA services. take part and learn more about Thickly insulated awnings now this wonderful program. completely cover the front of the hospital, a wheelchair lift Tai Chi is a gentle exercise method of slow, effortless and relaxed movements. assists disabled patients into the Its slow, fluid and weight-shifting motions improve bone strength, leg hospital, and a new sign is over strength and balance. The purpose of Tai Chi is to help the body return to a the door which says “The Price pattern of moving freely, calmly and effortlessly. of Freedom is Visible Here.” Several of the participants praise the benefits of the program. One Vietnam Improvements at the front Veteran patient, who suffers from PTSD, explained how the rhythmic entrance are part of $40 million exercises of Tai Chi have dramatically helped him reduce his own stress. of construction projects currently underway at VACCHS. The VASNHCS Tai Chi group meets with the instructor, Yi Chen, in the PERC classroom every Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m.

4 Veterans’ healthmatters VA Palo Alto Health Care System VA Pacific Islands VAPAHCS Named Most Wired Hospital for the 6th Time Health Care System For the sixth time, Hospitals and Health Networks, a publication of the American VIPHCS is Reaching Out to Hospital Association, has named VA End Veteran Homelessness Palo Alto Health Care System as one of the Nation’s Most Wired Hospitals. The VAPIHCS has a successful This is the 13th year the magazine has Health Care for Homeless recognized hospitals and health systems for excellence in IT. Program that strives to go where the Veteran physically is “We are fortunate to have staff who readily embrace change and actively and makes the effort to learn seek cutting edge technologies to enhance our health care delivery,” said about the Veteran’s individual Lisa Freeman, VAPAHCS director. “We know automation and technology story. The program also creates improve our ability to provide safe, effective and efficient care to our a circle of support, friendship, Veterans.” teamwork, community, action and accountability. Even with additional and more stringent requirements than in the past, VAPAHCS ranked among the top, along with such institutions as Cancer Veterans become homeless or Treatment Centers of America, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Treatment are at risk of homelessness due to Center, and Yale, Harvard and Stanford Hospitals. sudden employment loss, illness, untreated medical conditions and countless other reasons. To meet San Francisco VA Medical Center the various needs of Veterans, for Vets federal, state and non-profit The San Francisco VA Medical Center support agencies need to work is celebrating its 11th year of operating together and maximize the use “Pets for Vets,” a program that provides of available resources. Several pets to Veterans at no cost. To date, VA staff and local non-profit Veterans have adopted 169 cats and dogs partners, such as U.S. Vets, once into their homes and have gained the walked in the shoes of their love and companionship that pets bring. Veteran clients and can relate to the challenges these Veterans “The elderly, who often experience face. disproportionate and loss, are especially well served by pets,” said On Sept. 7, Oahu hosted the Russell Lemle, Ph.D., Chief Psychologist at the San Francisco VA Medical first Stand Down in years. At Center and founder of Pets for Vets. “Studies have suggested that owners this event, Veterans who wore have fewer annual visits to physicians, take less medication, recuperate better homeless and at risk of becoming from certain surgeries and take more walks,” stated Dr. Lemle. homeless received help with VA A permanent gallery of portraits of Veterans with their pets, titled “Dog registration, health screenings, Tags,” is displayed in the halls of the Medical Center. These black and white VA claims support, housing and portraits were all shot by Don Crowe, PhD. a Bay Area psychologist who is job search assistance, as well as one of the leading pet photographers in the country. many other services. Another Stand Down event will be held To learn more about Pets for Vets, contact Russell Lemle at russell.lemle@ this October on the island of va.gov or Alexandra Harrison at [email protected]. Kauai. www.visn21.med.va.gov 5 Reclaim Your Life through Leisure (Cont. from page 1) The goal of recreation therapy is to help Veterans who have illnesses, VA partners with community and other conditions use activities in ways that improve organizations to provide a variety or maintain physical, emotional, social, and cognitive functioning for a of recreation therapy programs. better quality of life and increased independence. Recreation therapy also These include: enhances morale, self esteem and life satisfaction. • Community outings • Adaptive sports and fitness Veteran Joe Gallardo, speaks programs, such as adapted highly of his experience with the archery, sit volleyball, quad Presidio Y’s fitness program for rugby and adapted Yoga Veterans. “Before coming into • Aquatic, art, music and dance the program,” stated Veteran therapies. VA Palo Alto Health Gallardo, “I was unemployed, Care System’s Women’s broke and struggling, feeling Prevention, Outreach and down on my luck and maybe Education Center offers a six- even depressed. I felt lost, week Zumba program. wandering aimlessly through a • Pet therapy San Francisco fog, a ghost of • Strength conditioning, weight a soldier with no purpose or lifting and hand cycling direction, a shell of my former • Gaming technologies, such as self. The program allowed me Wii Fitness and XBox 360 to focus on my mind through • National VA Special Events: my body to create a mental and Summer Sports Clinic, Winter at the same time physical calm Sports Clinic, Wheelchair and well-being. Because of Games, Golden Age Games, VA recreation therapist Chris Training, Exposure and Geronimo, I am even looking Experience (TEE) Tournament at schooling and starting a and Creative Arts Festival. career in recreation therapy Find out about these from your Veteran Joe Gallardo so I may give back and pay it VA facility and www.va.gov. SFVAMC Fitness Program forward to my fellow Vets.” (Cont. on page 7) New Paralympic A full daily schedule of rehabilitation therapy is available Monday through Program Web Site Friday at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center residential facility at the VA has launched a new Web site VA Palo Alto Health Care System. It also offers evening and weekend (www.va.gov/adaptivesports) to outings which provide an opportunity for Veterans to gain confidence, motivate and support disabled reclaim old interests and develop new ones. Veterans to take part in adaptive “Leisure is at least one third of a healthy sports. Click on “Sports Club Finder” to locate local sports lifestyle; therefore it is critical for visually programs and clinics. Read articles on the “Success Stories” page to impaired Veterans to acknowledge a range find out how participating and of possibilities for their free time.” competing in sports has changed the lives of disabled Veterans.

6 Veterans’ healthmatters (Cont. from page 6)

Recreation therapists also find Recreation therapy innovative ways to enhance the lives of improves a Veteran’s Veterans. Jocelyn Reyes-Pagsolingan, overall health and Recreation Therapist at VA Palo Alto wellbeing. Programs, Health Care System’s Hospice Unit uses services and activities an electronic tablet when she engages are tailored into a in bedside visits with Veterans. The treatment plan specific device has helped her make memories to the needs of each of special people and places come alive Veteran. and vivid for these Veterans, bringing them joy and making their days less Work with your VA monotonous. Jack Mattle, a 92-year old health care provider World War II Veteran who took part in and your family to find of the Battle of Saipan was able to see programs and services clear images of historical accounts of that best meet your the battle. Another Veteran and former needs. Do it for the boxer saw an old six-minute clip of Jack fun of it. Do it for your Dempsey, his favorite boxer and role health. model, on YouTube. After watching Veteran Alex Vargas this, he fell asleep with a noticeable SFVAMC Fitness Program smile on his face.

Word Search Veterans Crisis Line ACTIVITY INDEPENDENCE REINTEGRATE Same Number, New Name CRAFTS LEISURE SPORTS The National Veterans Prevention COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THERAPEUTIC Hotline is now called the Veterans Crisis Line. DANCE RECLAIM WELLNESS Veterans and their families and friends are FITNESS RECREATION YOUTUBE encouraged to call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or access www.VeteransCrisisLine.net and K E T A R G E T N I E R T R E click on Confidential LIVE CHAT to talk to L D H F B H J C R A F T S L B a qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responder 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, N Y T I N U M M O C S W S Y U 365 days a year. The Veteran Crisis Line and R E W S Q K N Y L H S R E T T online chat is not just for suicide prevention. F M E C N E D N E P E D N I U It’s for whatever’s got you down – chronic pain, , , sleeplessness, anger, M R E C L A I M I J N A L V O or even homelessness. A Veterans Crisis Line Q Y V S T R O P S K T N L I Y responder can provide support, day or night. U T H E R A P E U T I C E T K G C S M A R G O R P F E W C O V L S N O I T A E R C E R A L www.visn21.med.va.gov 7 Veterans’ healthmatters Kerri Childress, Editor Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304-1290 [email protected]

Where to find us! * OPC = Outpatient Clinic VA Central California VA Chico OPC San Francisco NEW Winnemucca Rural Health Care System 280 Cohasset Road VA Medical Center Outreach Clinic Chico, CA 95926 Army 735 4th Street VA Central California Health (530) 879-5000 4150 Clement Street Winnemucca, NV 89445 Care System San Francisco. CA 94121-1598 (877) 320-4990 2615 E. Clinton Avenue NEW VA Yreka Rural Clinic (415) 221-4810 Fresno, CA 93703-2286 101 E. Oberlin Road Downtown S.F. VA OPC VA Pacific Islands (559) 225-6100 Yreka, CA 96097 Health Care System (530) 841-8500 401 3rd Street VA South Valley OPC San Francisco. CA 94107 Spark M. Matsunaga VA 1050 North Cherry Street NEW Yuba City Outreach Clinic (415) 281-5100 Medical Center Tulare, CA 93274 1231 Plumas Street 459 Patterson Road (559) 684-8703 Yuba City, CA 95991 VA Eureka OPC (530) 751-8455 714 F Street Honolulu, HI 96819 NEW Merced OPC Eureka, CA 95501 (808) 433-0600 340 E. Yosemite Avenue VA Palo Alto (707) 442-5335 VA PTSD Residential Merced, CA 95340 Health Care System VA San Bruno OPC Rehabilitation Program (209) 381-0105 459 Patterson Road VA Palo Alto Division 1001 Sneath Lane San Bruno, CA 94066 Honolulu, HI 96819 NEW VA Oakhurst CBOC 3801 Miranda Avenue (808) 433-0004 40597 Westlake Drive Palo Alto, CA 94304-1290 (650) 615-6000 Oakhurst, CA 93644 (650) 493-5000 VA Santa Rosa OPC VA Maui OPC (559) 683-5300 VA Menlo Park Division 3841 Brickway Blvd. 203 Ho’ohanna Street, Suite 303 795 Willow Road Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Kahului, HI 96732 VA Northern California (808) 871-2454 Health Care System Menlo Park, CA 94025 (707) 569-2300 (650) 493-5000 VA Ukiah OPC VA Hilo OPC VA Sacramento Medical Center 1285 Waianuenue Ave., Suite 211 10535 Hospital Way VA Livermore Division 630 Kings Court 4951 Arroyo Road Ukiah, CA 95482 Hilo, HI 96720 Mather, CA 95655 (808) 935-3781 (916) 843-7000 Livermore, CA 94550 (707) 468-7700 (925) 373-4700 VA Kona OPC VA Martinez OPC Clearlake VA Clinic VA Capitola OPC 15145 Lakeshore Drive 75-377 Hualalai Road 150 Muir Road Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Martinez, CA 94553 1350 N. 41st Street Suite 102 Clearlake, CA 95422 Capitola, CA 95010 (707) 995-7200 (808) 329-0774 (925) 372-2000 (831) 464-5519 VA Kauai OPC VA Redding OPC VA Stockton OPC VA Sierra Nevada 3-3367 Kuhio Hwy., Suite 200 351 Hartnell Avenue 500 W Hospital Road Health Care System Lihue, HI 96766 Redding, CA 95926 Stockton, CA 95231 Ioannis A. Lougaris VA (808) 246-0497 (530) 226-7555 (209) 946-3400 Medical Center NEW VA Guam CBOC VA McClellan OPC VA Modesto OPC 1000 Locust Street 498 Chalan Palasyo 5342 Dudley Blvd. 1524 McHenry Ave. Suite 315 Reno, NV 89502-2597 Agana Heights, Guam 96910 McClellan Park, CA 95652-1074 Modesto, CA 95350 (775) 786-7200 (671) 475-5760 (916) 561-7400 (209) 557-6200 VA Lahontan Valley OPC VA American Samoa OPC VA Mare Island OPC VA Monterey OPC 345 West A Street Fitele Teo Army Reserve Building 201 Walnut Ave. 3401 Engineer Lane Fallon, NV 89406 Pago Pago, American Samoa Mare Island, CA 94592 Seaside, CA 93955 (775) 428-6161 96799 (707) 562-8200 (831) 883-3800 VA Sierra Foothills OPC (684) 699-3730 Oakland Behavioral Health VA San Jose OPC 11985 Heritage Oak Place NEW VA Lanai Outreach Clinic Clinic 80 Great Oaks Boulevard Suite #1 628-B Seventh Street 525 21st Street San Jose, CA 95119 Auburn, CA 95603 Lanai City, HI 96763 Oakland, CA 94612 (408) 363-3011 (530) 889-0872 (808) 565-6423 (510) 587-3400 VA Sonora OPC VA Carson Valley OPC NEW VA Saipan OPC VA Oakland OPC 13663 Mono Way 925 Ironwood Drive, Suite 2102 Marina Heights Business Park 2221 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Sonora, CA 95370 Minden, NV 89423 P.O. Box 500938 Oakland, CA 94612 (209) 588-2600 (775) 786-7200 Ext. 4000 Saipan, MP 96950 (510) 267-7800 VA Fremont OPC NEW VA Diamond View OPC (670) 323-9000 VA Fairfield OPC 39199 Liberty Street 110 Bella Way 103 Bodin Circle, BLDG. 778 Fremont, CA 94538 Susanville, CA 96130 NEW Manila OPC Travis AFB, CA 94535 (510) 791-4001 (530) 251-4550 Seafront Compound (707) 437-1800 1501 Roxas Boulevard 1302 Pasay City, Phillippines (011) 632 833-4566 2011-745-262/20007