What We Learned: The Future of Long-Term Care at the VA for Veterans of All Ages (Does Anyone Care?)
- Emily Trask
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Transformation Tuesday | October 28, 2025 Hosted by Gray Panthers NYC
When it comes to long-term care for America’s veterans, the needs are as diverse as the generations who have served. From World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan, the conversation is shifting—who receives care, how that care is delivered, and what benefits go untapped.
This Transformation Tuesday featured Ashton Stewart, Program Manager at MJHS and a U.S. Navy veteran, in conversation with Jenine Ferrari, Gray Panthers NYC Board Member, and moderator Carrie Leljedal. Together, they explored the question behind the session’s provocative subtitle: Does anyone care?
Recognizing Service, Asking the Right Questions
Stewart began by reframing how we identify veterans.
“Never ask, Are you a veteran? Ask, Did you serve?”
Many who served—especially women, LGBTQ+ veterans, and those without combat experience—don’t self-identify as veterans due to stigma or misinformation. That single question can unlock access to long-overlooked benefits and services.
The “We Honor Veterans” Initiative
As part of MJHS’s We Honor Veterans Level 5 designation, Stewart highlighted how hospice and palliative programs can better support veterans and their families. The initiative provides specialized resources, particularly around PTSD, dementia, and traumatic brain injury (TBI)—conditions that often surface or worsen with age.
“We’re seeing a growing link between PTSD and dementia,” Stewart explained, “and we need advocates ready to recognize those signs.”
Underused Benefits and Lifelines
The discussion shined a light on benefits many veterans and families never claim:
Home Health Aide (HHA) support: up to 16 hours per week of VA-funded care
Burial and memorial benefits for veterans and spouses
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses and dependents
Restoration of Honor legislation that reinstates benefits for veterans discharged unjustly—particularly for PTSD, TBI, or sexual orientation/gender identity
Free care in state veterans’ nursing homes for veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating
“These programs change lives,” Stewart said. “But first, people need to know they exist.”
The PACT Act: Expanding Access
The 2022 PACT Act has significantly broadened eligibility for veterans exposed to toxins or hazardous environments. Stewart encouraged advocates to revisit cases previously denied:
“If you know someone who served in Vietnam or the Gulf War, it’s worth looking again. The list of presumptive conditions is growing, and so are the chances for care.”
Cultural Competency in Healthcare
One alarming data point: fewer than 3 percent of New York State healthcare providers ask patients about military service. To change that, MJHS partnered with the NY State Department of Veterans’ Services to develop a Military History Pocket Card—a seven-question screening tool launching this fall to help clinicians identify and support veterans.
“Awareness starts in the exam room,” Stewart noted. “If we don’t ask, we can’t connect.”
Stories of Honor and Healing
Throughout the presentation, Stewart shared deeply moving stories:
A World War II veteran posthumously honored as a Buffalo Soldier
A female Air Corps veteran, age 108, finally recognized and admitted for VA care
Families reunited through the Indigent Burial Benefit, ensuring dignified farewells
Each example underscored how advocacy and persistence can restore dignity—and sometimes rewrite history.
Legal and Mental Health Support
In discussion, Jack Kupferman, GPNYC’s Chief Catalyst Officer, emphasized the gap in legal services and outreach to veterans experiencing homelessness or PTSD. Stewart responded by citing resources such as Volunteers of Legal Service, the Veteran Advocacy Project, and Veterans Treatment Courts—each helping veterans navigate housing, benefits, and discharge upgrades.
Next Steps: Collaboration and Compassion
Stewart closed with a call to action:
Collaborate with local, state, and federal veteran agencies.
Refer veterans to Vet Centers for confidential mental health support—regardless of discharge type.
Connect with MJHS’s Vet2Vet Café programs for ongoing education and peer exchange.
Engage with the new Mount Sinai Brain Injury Research Center, which welcomes veteran participants.
“We can’t do this alone,” Stewart said. “But together, we can make sure every veteran—of every age—gets the care and respect they deserve.”
🎥 Watch the full conversation: The Future of Long-Term Care at the VA for Veterans of All Ages (Does Anyone Care?) 👉
💡 Learn more and support Gray Panthers NYC: https://www.graypanthersnyc.org/
Resources:
Comments