AARP offers tools to help veterans connect to resources

COEUR d’ALENE — The U.S. Census Bureau declared that of the 122,000 veterans in the state of Idaho, only 32% have used their benefits of Veterans Administration healthcare. In response, AARP Idaho will host a “telephone town hall” with Boise Veterans Affairs to help veterans access information and services.
The town hall meeting begins Monday at 10 a.m. by calling (866) 767-0637 to participate. Register in advance at https://vekeo.com/aarpidaho/. The meeting will also be live-streamed on the AARP Facebook page.
AARP also recently launched the updated Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator to bring together information and resources. The tool provides critical information about what qualifies veterans for health care benefits from the VA or Department of Defense.
The navigator now includes information to access to: Women Veterans Health Care Program, Family Caregiver Assistance Program, specialty emotional and mental health services and specialty dental, oral, hearing and vision services.
“Veterans and military families faced many difficulties serving our country. Accessing health care benefits they earned shouldn’t be as challenging,” said Lupe Wissel, AARP Idaho state director. “This free, one-stop resource will help make the process less confusing and overwhelming for veterans and military families as they navigate the best path for health care needs.”
Visit www.AARP.org/VetsHealthNavigator to access the health navigator, and www.aarp.org/veterans for further information and resources.