Hale-Gallardo Jennifer, Jia Huanguang, Delisle Tony, Levy Charles E, Osorio Valentina, Smith Jennifer A, Hannold Elizabeth M
Center of Innovation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System.
Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida.
J Multidiscip Healthc. 2017 Jan 20;10:41-47. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S118706. eCollection 2017.
The number of US veterans with disabilities has increased in recent years as service members have returned home with extensive injuries and veterans from previous wars acquire functional limitations as a consequence of aging with chronic diseases. Veterans with severe disabilities need assistance and support to maintain independence at home and to avoid institutionalization. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) strives to network with community organizations to achieve the best possible outcomes for veterans. Key community resources in the US for individuals with disabilities are Centers for Independent Living (CILs) that provide a wide range of services, promoting independent living and well-being for people across disabilities. The widespread availability and services of CILs nationwide suggest their potential as a community-based resource for veterans, particularly for those with limited access to VA care. In this article, we discuss long-term needs of veterans with disabilities, efforts to address veterans' rehabilitation needs at the VA and opportunities for leveraging the strengths of community-based organizations for veterans. More research is warranted to investigate CIL services and potential for CIL-VA partnerships.
近年来，美国残疾退伍军人的数量有所增加，这是因为服役人员带着重伤回国，以及以往战争中的退伍军人因年老患有慢性病而出现功能受限。重度残疾退伍军人需要援助和支持，以维持在家中的独立生活并避免被送进机构。美国退伍军人事务部（VA）努力与社区组织建立联系，以便为退伍军人取得尽可能好的结果。美国为残疾人士提供的关键社区资源是独立生活中心（CILs），这些中心提供广泛的服务，促进各类残疾人士的独立生活和福祉。CILs在全国范围内广泛存在并提供服务，这表明它们作为退伍军人基于社区的资源的潜力，特别是对于那些获得VA护理机会有限的退伍军人。在本文中，我们讨论了残疾退伍军人的长期需求、VA为满足退伍军人康复需求所做的努力，以及利用社区组织优势为退伍军人服务的机会。有必要开展更多研究，以调查CILs的服务以及CILs与VA建立伙伴关系的潜力。
