Michigan Veterans Trail Rest of U.S. in Their Utilization of State Services
Jan 22, 2014
Bloomfield Hills, MI (Law Firm Newswire) January 22, 2014 – The Great Lakes State has earned a dubious distinction: Michigan is home to the lowest percentage of benefits-using veterans in the U.S.
With about 700,000 veteran residents, Michigan has long boasted a large concentration of former members of the military. But in December, it was revealed that the Great Lakes State has acquired a less favorable distinction as the state with the lowest percentage of veterans who avail themselves of benefits and services.
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency has released data that shows that only 142,260 — or approximately 20 percent — of the state’s veterans have utilized services available to them, including health care and education resources. And that number exists in spite of the fact that Michigan spends almost $3 billion on veterans services.
At least two causal problems have been identified, and they, along with other issues, were discussed at a late November forum at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Annis-Fint Post 1584, hosted by state Representative Nancy Jenkins, R-Clayton, in Adrian.
Information technology (and the lack of organized information distribution) gained attention at the forum. “The problem is, there is no central database,” said Jason Allen, senior policy adviser for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. “You’ve got several different agencies with information, but it isn’t all centralized.”
The low services-utilization rate was also attributed to a shortage of the trained and on-staff service officers necessary to match the needs of the growing number of veterans leaving the armed services and taking up residence in Michigan.
The Veterans Affairs Agency has launched pilot programs in Wayne County and Grand Rapids to increase staff levels, and Allen has stated that his staff is creating programs and strategies to get assistance to veterans.
But a more elementary problem with the state’s veterans services network was also aired at the Adrian forum. Michigan has only two homes for veterans: the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. According to Allen, the system is an outdated one, based on a model developed after World War I.
“We have to build additional homes to help the veterans coming back,” Allen said. “We have a much different type of veteran coming back. We are seeing a lot of closed-head injuries and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) cases. We plan to build two or three more veterans homes.”
Learn more at http://www.theeldercarefirm.com/
The Elder Care Firm of Christopher J. Berry
2550 S Telegraph Rd.
Ste 255
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Local: 248.481.4000
Toll free: 855-41-Elder (855-413-5337)
- Dementia Research Under Threat Over Lack of Funding
By Chris Berry Insufficient funding is threatening imperative research work into dementia. A number of projects are facing closure while arduous scientists may have to quit as a result of not being able to make a regular living wage. (Related: Obamacare’s Impact on Medicare Advantage) According to Shadow Health Minister Andrew Gwynne the government is largely […] - Americans Discovering Their Parent’s Dementia Over the Holidays
A recent report has revealed that thousands of Americans are likely to first recognize signs of their parents’ dementia while visiting with them during the holidays. (Related: Websites for Family Caregivers) “Shortly after arriving home from the airport, an estimated tens of thousands of adults will invariably witness one or both parents forget something that just […] - Websites for Family Caregivers
We have created this post as a resource for caregivers that highlights 20 useful websites in a number of different categories that offers a collection of information on caregiving, resources for caregivers, tools, motivation and diversions to both educate and encourage the family caregiver. We hope these tools will simplify the job and improve efficiency […] - Can Parents Live With Their Adult Children?
People need to proceed with caution when trying intergenerational living. By Chris Berry Due to the economy an increasing number of parents are living with their children. It’s far more affordable for two families to combine homes opposed to living separately. Aging parents require care and it’s typically easier and less-expensive to care for them […]
