VA New England Healthcare System SPRING 2012SPRING

VETERANS’healthy living

On Solid Ground A Veteran’s Journey Strong Heart, Strong Home

Vet Centers — Here for You Every Step of the Way Dear Veterans A Message from the Network Director Veterans’ Healthy Living Michael F. Mayo-Smith, M.D., M.P.H. Editorial Board Network Director Maureen Heard VISN 1 Communications Officer

Kathleen Makela VISN 1 Public Affairs Officer Spring reminds us of renewal and change—the hope for change, a vision for change, and the choice to make a change! Sally Riley VISN 1 Communications Specialist You made a choice to serve in the Armed Forces and made sacrifices to keep our country and everything it represents safe. Today it is our Diane Keefe turn to serve you, by providing exceptional health care focused on VA Boston HCS, Public Affairs Officer your individual needs, and your overall well-being. We are here for you John Paradis every step of the way! VA CW Massachusetts HCS, Public Affairs Officer On page 3, “On Solid Ground,” is the poignant story about Veteran Pamela Redmond Gerry Maguire who, with help from the VA Medical Center in Bedford, VA Connecticut HCS, Public Affairs Officer arose from physical, mental, emotional, and homeless challenges in Website: www.newengland.va.gov his life to begin again and obtain his college degree. On pages 4 and 5, the article, “Strong Heart, Strong Home,” serves Veterans’ Healthy Living is published as a patient education service by VA New as a reminder that you, as a Veteran, are not alone. Our VA Boston England Healthcare System. The publication Healthcare System “Strength At Home” programs are there to help is intended to provide information to help you maintain good health and learn about you and your spouse or partner enhance relationships, improve anger the many health services available through management skills, and prevent conflict within intimate relationships. VA. This publication is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, The programs were created to target the areas of counseling, training, which should be obtained from your VA and support for Veterans. healthcare provider. All articles may be reproduced for educational purposes. Page 6, “Vet Centers – Here for You Every Step of the Way,” focuses on our Vet Centers, what they provide and how they work together with our medical centers. Warming temperatures and blooming flowers and trees tell us change is coming. You may be considering making some changes yourself such as planting a garden and thinking “green.” “A Growth of Opportunities” on page 7 is an article about the VA Medical Center at Leeds, which is well-known and recognized for its horticulture therapy for Veterans. In September, 2011 the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System held Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Rain Garden training that included the installation of the first rain garden at the VA Medical Center. Be sure to check out the article on page 7, “Play it Safe with Home Oxygen Use” and read about important tips and reminders on oxygen safety in the home. Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you! VA Mission: Michael F. Mayo-Smith, M.D., M.P.H. Honor America’s Veterans Network Director by providing exceptional health care that improves 2 Veterans’ Healthy Living their health and well-being. VA New England Healthcare System | Spring 2012 Veteran Gerry Maguire, using VA services to get his life back on track.

Gerry Maguire, Veteran, business owner, and proud father of three had a wonderful life until he started experiencing back pain and was forced to undergo surgery. Diagnosed with degenerative joint disease, he said, “I woke one morning to find I could not stand on my own two feet and fell to the floor.”

On Solid Ground: A Veteran’s Journey Unable to work, Gerry looked thoughts of his children that “Suddenly, I had a job!” Along into collecting workers’ saved him. with employment assistance, compensation, which he had Gerry was set up with housing. always paid into, only to find “On the advice of a fellow “I entered into the Housing that he didn’t qualify for the Veteran, I went to the Bedford and Urban Development/VA benefits. This left Gerry without VA Medical Center, just to talk Supported Housing program in an income and overwhelmed to someone,” said Gerry. At the July 2008 and used my VASH with financial obligations. In a hospital, in tears and unable to voucher to obtain housing. I short time, he lost his business, speak, he was approached by a have been able to provide a good had his truck repossessed, and nurse who began simply with, home for my children and myself was evicted from his apartment. “Are you okay?” ever since.” Without a home, Gerry was forced to surrender custody Realizing Gerry was in crisis, Overcoming all obstacles, of his three children to their the nurse quickly connected Gerry obtained a college degree mother, which was the toughest him with a social worker and that came “four years after I and most heartbreaking of all the Homeless Coordinator, who found the courage to ask for his trials and tribulations. was, “a young, petite, button help.” With both feet firmly on of a woman, who I would learn the ground and his head held “I began having thoughts that later could move mountains,” high, Gerry offers this valuable maybe my children would be Gerry related. message for others: better off if I were not among the living,” he said. Alone, Gerry received emergency funds, “Please ask for help! You may feeling helpless, and full of was signed up for vocational never meet the angel who saved “empty resentment,” Gerry rehabilitation, and made contact my life, but as I witnessed, she is contemplated suicide not once, with the Compensated Work part of a network of people who but twice and it was only the Therapy Manager. He said, do care. They really do care!”

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 3 Spring 2012 | VA New England Healthcare System

Strong Heart, military couples to teach them how to manage anger, improve Strong Home their communication skills, and Stress, stressors, and trauma feelings are occurring can be deal with any post-traumatic are a part of life, and these difficult and add to the stress stress issues. challenges come in many of readjustment and transition forms. We all have stress, but for a Veteran and his or her The 12 session “Strength at upon returning home from loved ones. If negative feelings Home” program is designed to deployment, it is not unusual to and emotions are prolonged, provide in-depth counseling experience a different kind of or if it is difficult to positively support and training for male stress than what may have been communicate with others, Veterans and service members. felt on the battlefield. For some counseling with a health care These sessions focus on ways to people, seeing, experiencing, or professional could help. manage stress and anger, how learning about a traumatizing to improve communication, and event causes fear, helplessness, According to Casey Taft, Ph.D., how to strengthen relationships. or horror. at the National Center for PTSD The counselors understand in Boston, and the director the stressors of serving in the Returning Veterans often of the “Strength At Home” military and the challenges that deal with a broad range of program, the decision to develop occur in the cycle of deployment feelings and emotions such as the program four years ago was and reintegration with family anger, sadness, and anxiety. based on need. Dr. Taft has and community. The class Understanding why these been working with Veterans and focuses upon understanding

4 Veterans’ Healthy Living VA New England Healthcare System | Spring 2012

“Strength at Home” program director Dr. Casey Taft.

anger and developing more are not alone. All “Strength The “Strength At Home” programs positive, non-aggressive ways of At Home” programs center on are offered at several locations communicating in relationships. enhancing relationships. throughout the VA New England Healthcare System. The goal of the 10 session To see if you and/or your “Strength at Home” couples partner are eligible for For more information, visit the website program is to help Operation enrollment in one of the Enduring Freedom/Operation www.strengthathome.com for programs, contact Strength at Iraqi Freedom military couples locations and times. Home outreach coordinator strengthen their relationships. Amy Rachiele at 857-364-4173 The classes are led by trained counselors familiar with the for a confidential screening. unique challenges military Information shared in the families face. They are designed screening process is not shared to foster communication and with any individuals, courts, or help Veterans and their families commanding officers. learn effective methods to de-escalate situations, engage in You may participate in positive communication, learn these programs at no cost. anger and stress management, Some compensation may be and increase feelings of available for participation closeness and happiness. You in these programs.

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 5 Spring 2012 | VA New England Healthcare System

Vet Centers – Here for You Every Step of the Way Veterans returning from the they are dealing with issues that suffering from PTSD,” Busby battle front can face many chal- require medication, we refer said. “There’s a higher suicide rate lenges in readjusting to civilian them to the Medical Center.” among our soldiers now; that’s life. For young Veterans coming another reason why it is impera- home from Iraq or Afghanistan, The Vet Centers work with the tive we work together with the homelessness, unemployment, Medical Centers to screen and Medical Centers.” and Post-Traumatic Stress offer readjustment counseling, Additional services the Vet Disorder (PTSD) are higher than military sexual trauma Centers provide are Yellow the national average. According counseling, substance abuse Ribbon events for families to William Busby, Northeast assessments, and bereavement to receive training on how to Regional Director of the VA Vet counseling. “Often, we partner help Veterans readjust. Post Centers, the Vet Centers provide to provide VBA benefits Deployment Help Reassessments a broad range of services to make counseling, community outreach are also available. the transition from the battle assistance with job training front to the home front an experi- and re-training, small business There are currently 300 Vet ence with a positive outcome. services, and educational Centers nationwide. To reach opportunities,” Busby said. Veterans in remote areas, VA “We provide readjustment also provides mobile Vet Centers. counseling to help our Veterans Although they are under the same Busby said, “We are on the same return to a reasonable lifestyle,” health care branch as VA, the team, and we are here for our said Busby. “All the Vet Centers difference between Vet Centers Veterans every step of the way.” have a marriage and family and the Medical Centers is that a life counselor on staff. When a Veteran can only be seen at a Vet For contact information for Veteran who served in a combat Center if they served in a com- each of the New England Vet zone comes in, they register at bat zone or if they experienced Centers, please visit www. the Medical Center and they sexual trauma while on active vetcenter.va.gov or contact are checked out medically. If duty. “Many of our Veterans are your local VA Medical Center.

6 Veterans’ Healthy Living VA New England Healthcare System | Spring 2012 Play it Safe with Home Oxygen Use

Oxygen is a fire hazard that causes a flame to burn fast and hot. In the home, oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen in the environment, saturating clothing, fabric, hair, or any porous objects in the area where Volunteers hard at work planting the rain garden near the VAMC oxygen is being used. at Leeds. Here are some life-saving oxygen safety tips:

Opportunities for Veterans ■■ Stay 15 feet away (five giant steps) from any open flame. are Being Planted ■■ Do not use equipment that could cause a spark such as Last September, the VA Central preventing pollutants col- an electric razor, and avoid Western Massachusetts lected in run-off from going combustible petroleum-based Healthcare System into storm drains and on to products such as vapor rubs. (VACWMHCS) in Leeds, Mass., streams, rivers, and ponds. ■■ Use oxygen in a well- hosted an Environmental ventilated area and do Protection Agency Rain Garden The garden not only provides not use or store it in a Training for area VA Medical an environmentally friendly closet or cabinet. Centers and private hospitals. function, it is also in sync with The event provided hands-on the mission and purpose of the ■■ NEVER smoke while using training on how to site, size, horticulture therapy program at oxygen and make sure you design, install, and maintain a medical centers where Veterans are at least 15 feet away from rain garden. “We installed all participate in therapeutic, anyone who is smoking. the planting in three hours. I vocational, and wellness pro- ■■ Install smoke detectors in was amazed at how people stuck grams. In Leeds, Veterans plant your home and check the with it despite the sweat on their and sell a variety of plants from batteries regularly. their onsite greenhouse called brow,” said landscape architect ■■ Keep a fire extinguisher on Tom Benjamin. Bear Hill Gardens. hand and make sure you know how to use it. The 800-square foot garden Lorraine Brisson, coordinator was constructed in a low-lying for the Incentive Therapy ■■ Have a plan for evacuation area near the VA Medical Center Program at VACWMHCS, out of each room. at Leeds. The garden captures says the rain garden is, “In the 30 percent more run-off water perfect spot…right outside the than regular lawns or gardens greenhouse and potting area, the same size, giving a posi- so anyone working will be able tive environmental impact by to enjoy and admire it.”

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 7 PRST STD U.S. Postage PAID VISN 1 Communications Lansdale, PA Department of Veterans Affairs Permit 491 200 Springs Road Bedford, MA 01730

VERMONT Houlton CBOC New Bedford CBOC Somersworth CBOC VA MEDICAL CENTERS White River Houlton Regional Hospital 175 Elm Street 200 Route 108 Junction VAMC 20 Hartford Street New Bedford, MA 02740 Somersworth, NH 03878 215 North Main Street Houlton, ME 04730 (508) 994-0217 (603) 624-4366, ext. 3199 CONNECTICUT (877) 421-8263, ext. 2000 (800) 892-8384, ext. 3199 White River Junction, Pittsfield CBOC VA Connecticut VT 05009 Lewiston/Auburn CBOC 73 Eagle Street Tilton CBOC Healthcare System (802) 295-9363 1072 Minot Ave Pittsfield, MA 01201 630 Main Street, Ste. 400 Newington Campus Auburn, ME 04210-3746 (413) 499-2672 Tilton, NH 03276 (207) 623-8411, ext. 3900 (603) 624-4366, ext. 3199 555 Willard Avenue COMMUNITY-BASED Quincy CBOC (800) 892-8384, ext. 3199 Newington, CT 06111 Portland CBOC 114 Whitwell Street (860) 666-6951 OUTPATIENT CLINICS 144 Fore Street Quincy, MA 02169 RHODE ISLAND West Haven Campus CONNECTICUT Portland, ME 04101 (617) 376-2010 950 Campbell Avenue (207) 771-3500 Middletown CBOC Danbury CBOC Springfield CBOC One Corporate Place West Haven, CT 06516 Rumford CBOC 25 Bond Street (203) 932-5711 7 Germantown Road Middletown, RI 02842 Danbury, CT 06810 431 Franklin Street Springfield, MA 01104 (401) 847-6239 (203) 798-8422 Rumford, ME 04276 (413) 731-6000 MAINE (207) 369-3200 Worcester CBOC VERMONT VA Maine New London CBOC Saco CBOC 605 Lincoln Street Healthcare System 4 Shaw’s Cove, Suite 101 Bennington CBOC 655 Main Street Worcester, MA 01605 1 VA Center New London, CT 06320 186 North Street Saco, ME 04072 (508) 856-0104 Augusta, ME 04330 (860) 437-3611 Bennington, VT 05201 (207) 294-3100 (802) 447-6913 (207) 623-8411 Stamford CBOC NEW HAMPSHIRE (877) 421-8263 Stamford Health System Brattleboro CBOC MASSACHUSETTS Conway CBOC 1275 Summer Street 71 GSP Drive MASSACHUSETTS Causeway Street CBOC 71 Hobbs Street Brattleboro, VT 05301 Stamford, CT 06905 251 Causeway Street Conway, NH 03818 Edith Nourse Rogers (802) 251-2200 (203) 325-0649 Boston, MA 02114 (603) 624-4366, ext. 3199 Memorial Veterans Hosp. Waterbury CBOC (617) 248-1000 (800) 892-8384, ext. 3199 Colchester CBOC 200 Springs Road 95 Scovill Street 162 Hegeman Ave., Unit 100 Bedford, MA 01730 Fitchburg CBOC Keene Outpatient Clinic Waterbury, CT 06706 Colchester, VT 05446 (781) 687-2000 275 Nichols Road 640 Marlboro Street (802) 655-1356 (203) 465-5292 Fitchburg, MA 01420 Keene, NH 03543 VA Boston Windham CBOC (978) 342-9781 (802) 295-4900 Newport Outpatient Clinic Healthcare System 96 Mansfield Street 189 Prouty Drive Framingham CBOC Littleton CBOC Brockton Campus Willimantic, CT 06226 Newport, VT 05855 61 Lincoln Street, Suite 112 658 Meadow Street, Ste. 4 (802) 334-4131 940 Belmont Street (860) 450-7583 Framingham, MA 01702 Littleton, NH 03561 Brockton, MA 02301 Winsted CBOC (508) 628-0205 (603) 444-1323 Rutland CBOC (508) 583-4500 115 Spencer Street 215 Stratton Road Gloucester CBOC Portsmouth CBOC Jamaica Plain Campus Winsted, CT 06098 Rutland, VT 05701 298 Washington Street 302 Newmarket Street (802) 773-3386 150 S. Huntington Avenue (860) 738-6985 Gloucester, MA 01930 Portsmouth, NH 03803 Boston, MA 02130 (978) 282-0676 (603) 624-4366, ext. 3199 (617) 232-9500 MAINE (800) 892-8384, ext. 3199 Bangor CBOC Greenfield CBOC West Roxbury Campus 143 Munson Street 1400 VFW Parkway 35 State Hospital Street Bangor, ME 04401 Greenfield, MA 01301 West Roxbury, MA 02132 (413) 773-8428 (617) 323-7700 (207) 561-3600 WHERE TO Lincoln Outreach Clinic Haverhill CBOC VA Central Western MA 108 Merrimack Street FIND US Healthcare System (Bangor Satellite Clinic) 99 River Road Haverhill, MA 01830 421 North Main Street (978) 372-5207 Leeds, MA 01053 Lincoln, ME 04457 (413) 584-4040 (207) 403-2000 Hyannis CBOC Calais CBOC 233 Stevens Street NEW HAMPSHIRE 50 Union Street Hyannis, MA 02601 Manchester VAMC Calais, ME 04619 (508) 771-3190 718 Smyth Road (207) 904-3700 Lowell CBOC Manchester, NH 03104 Caribou CBOC 130 Marshall Road (603) 624-4366 163 Van Buren Road, Ste. 6 Lowell, MA 01852 (800) 892-8384 Caribou, ME 04736 (978) 671-9000 RHODE ISLAND (207) 493-3800 Lynn CBOC 225 Boston Street, Ste. 107 Providence VAMC Fort Kent CBOC 3 Mountain View Drive Lynn, MA 01904 830 Chalkstone Avenue (781) 595-9818 Providence, RI 02908 Fort Kent, ME 04743 (401) 273-7100 (207) 834-1572 (866) 590-2976