The OKC VA Healthcare System would like to extend their appreciation to all the Veterans who have trusted their care with us and helped to make the OKC VA HCS the fastest growing health care system in the country.
“We have pushed our community engagement and outreach programs to travel to remote locations to personally reach out to our Veteran population and provide them with the answers to their questions,” said Wade Vlosich, OKC VA Director. “Many Veterans are not sure if they are eligible for VA healthcare or not, and the best way to find out is by letting us help you navigate the VA eligibility process with our expert staff.”
As of August 2023, the OKCVAHCS data results include:

• * OKCVAHCS consists of a 192-operating bed facility, located in central Oklahoma serving 47 Oklahoma counties and two counties in North Central Texas (Wilbarger and Wichita), with a total unique Veteran population over 74,600.
• * OKCVAHCS consists of 15 outpatient clinics, 4 outpatient clinic partnerships with the Department of Defense and a Friendship House/Compensated Work Therapy transitional residence.
• * OKCVAHCS is in the process of procuring space off-site for a Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Program (SARRTP) and Community Living Center.
• * OKCVAHCS currently has outpatient clinics in Ada, Altus, Ardmore, Blackwell, Clinton, Enid, Lawton (DoD), Lawton North (DoD), Norman, North Oklahoma City, North May, Shawnee, South Oklahoma City, Stillwater, Tinker (DoD), Wichita Falls, and Yukon.
  Through the OKC VA partnership with DoD, they have opened clinics on Fort Sill Army Base and on Tinker Air Force Base. OKC VAHCS is a part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, which includes facilities in Oklahoma, Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.
  Positive changes and improvements have been made throughout the system to include:
• One of 15 VA Systems in the country to receive the exoskeleton robotic device providing spinal cord injury providing Veterans the ability to walk.
• OKC VA is the only VA to have completed minimally invasive outpatient lumbar spine fusion surgeries.
• Offers VA Express Care Clinic at the main hospital and in Outpatient Clinics. The Express Care Clinic is similar to an urgent care clinic.
• Robust Lean-Six-Sigma management program with a running total of 205 projects.
• Implemented a robotic surgery program.
• OKC VA HCS has sharing agreements with DoD Facilities to increase integration of best practices of health care services to military service members and Veterans.
• In 2020, first VA to deploy and staff mobile ICU on campus to support the Oklahoma City area with additional bed capacity due to increased COVID cases.
• Opened new Veterans Resource Center in 2019 which houses: Veterans Recovery Center, Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams, and HUD-VASH.
• Selected as one of 12 sites to receive a Fisher House. This will be the first Fisher House in the state of Oklahoma.

“We are proud to announce that according to FY23 VHA statistics, we are leading the nation in growth but we are even more excited about is the ability to take care of the nation’s most precious resource—our Veterans,” Vlosich said, “Not only do we strive to provide the best medical care for our Veteran population but we are also thinking outside the box on innovative ideas to reach the most rural areas in Oklahoma. The statistics prove that what we are doing here at the OKC VA, is working and we plan on keeping up this positive momentum going forward for 2024.”
For more information about the OKC VA Health Care System and programs, please click the link below or visit the VA website at: Oklahoma City VA Medical Center | VA Oklahoma City Health Care | Veterans Affairs

Denise Slattery, P.E., CFM, CPM
Former caregiver to my mom, Patricia Slattery (1943-2018)

Her eyes were wide open. She looked scared, lost and confused. This was my mother, in the summer of 2018. I had put her to bed (it was about 9 p.m. or so), but she had woken up a little bit later, adamant about going home to be with her kids.
She stopped recognizing me as her daughter some months before. She was getting agitated and my frustration was definitely not helping. We had gotten into an argument, and she started walking away from the house, along the curb. I tried following her, but she yelled at me to stay back. While we were passing a neighbor’s house, he recognized my mom and had called 911. A fire truck had come, with only the lights on (the siren was too loud and it very well could have scared my mom even more).
They started talking to mom in a gentle caring voice. I brought my car near to where mom was sitting on the step of the fire truck, and the firemen helped her get into the passenger seat. I was standing some distance away with the neighbor, hesitant and scared of my mom’s reaction to me. Would she recognize me? Would she still be angry?
After a bit, the fireman ‘introduced’ me to her as her daughter and motioned for me to come forward. Walking towards her, with the sun going down, I could just barely see her eyes and they reflected her emotions then: scared, lost and confused. When I came closer to her, and said Hello Mom in a gentle voice, she recognized me and hugged me. She was not agitated and felt so happy to see me.
This is just one of many stories I could tell you about giving care to my mom who had dementia for about 4 years, before she died from its complications in late November of 2018, just five days shy of her 75th birthday. Giving care to a loved one who has dementia is not an easy road at all; it can deplete you of all that is you. You are no longer his or her spouse, child, sibling or friend; you are a caregiver. If you are just starting down this road, or you may suspect your loved one has dementia, here are few do’s and don’ts to follow:
Don’ts:
*Don’t stand over the person in dominance. Instead, talk at their eye level.
*Don’t raise your voice. Keep your voice gentle and calm.
*Don’t correct, disagree or argue. Try not to think logical as you would normally. Their world is no longer the one we see but the world they see. Try to ‘enter’ that world and be with them.
*Don’t invade their space, but don’t be afraid of touching. A gentle touch on their hand can be reassuring.
*If you offer to stay with the person who has dementia in order for their caregiver to have some time for themselves or for them to run a few errands, please adhere to this. Don’t say that you would love to help, but then rescind your offer when they ask you because you have an errand to run or an appointment to keep. If you say you want to help, please mean it.
Do’s:
*Do establish a routine. The more you can set a routine throughout the day-to-day activities, the more you both will know what to expect, and the smoother your days will run. This helps provide stability for your loved one and doesn’t add to their confusion. This also includes upending their lives, by moving them from their home into yours. If this something that has to be done, please understand that your loved one will be angry or upset for some time; you are creating chaos in their world and because they can’t tell you how they feel, they react by being angry or agitated.
*Be patient, kind and flexible. Caring for someone with dementia is like riding a wave; go with it. Meet them where they are mentally and emotionally at any given moment. It will change constantly, and it is best to expect nothing else. And try to always remember: your loved one is still your loved one; it’s the dementia that is causing them to act this way.
*Allow as much independence for your loved one as long as possible. For instance, if they want to wear sweaters in June, then let them. Allow the person to keep as much control in their lives as possible.
*Try to spend some time for yourself. Take breaks, call a friend, or go for a walk if you can. Find a caregiver support group meeting by calling the national Alzheimer’s Association number at 1-800-272-3900 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
*Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible. If the conversation dies, then engage the person in an activity such as coloring or perhaps looking through a photo album.
People tend to often see only the memory impairment of someone who has dementia, but that is not the only symptom. There are many more: the person finds it difficult to make decisions or solve problems, they put things in unusual places such as the iron in the fridge or socks in the pantry, they can’t complete everyday tasks we usually take for granted: putting clothes on the correct order or how to prepare a meal, they can’t think of words to say and cannot follow a conversation so they become more withdrawn. In the later stages of dementia, the person may become incontinent, their eating patterns will be affected and they may not recognize you anymore or know your name.
As a caregiver you want to give your loved one the best care possible, and part of giving this care is getting to know more about this disease and its symptoms in all stages. Always remind yourself that your loved one is not being difficult; they have lost the ability to tell you how they are feeling, so they act out. By trying to figure out what it is they are trying to tell you can help resolve the problem quickly and helps keep your loved one calm. There are many websites to learn from and books to read from, but, in my experience, the best resource is The Alzheimer’s Association. Find your local chapter by calling 1-800-272-3900 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week, and look into what resources they have that might help you and your loved one.

Story and photo by Eddie Roach, VillagesOKC Member/Volunteer

“VillagesOKC is everywhere!” That’s what we hear from friends who’ve been watching as we’ve grown over the past five years. And, while we aren’t everywhere, we are lots of places with our own events and partnering with others.
Our newest partnerships are with the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City and the Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma. The YMCA partnership is intended to foster a sense of community and social connection among members of the YMCA and VillagesOKC. The Neighborhood Alliance partnership includes the opportunity to publish older-adult focused articles in the Alliance’s quarterly newsletter, which has a distribution list of 6,600.
Here are some of the other organizations with which VillagesOKC partners to connect members with information and resources to age successfully – with vitality and purpose.
– Caregiver Ambassadors is a program within VillagesOKC which helps train a network of volunteers guiding faith communities through the challenges of aging.
– Senior Living Truth Series offers two monthly seminars on topics affecting older adults. We are education partners with the Truth Series.
– NewView Oklahoma is a valuable partner that provides services and employment opportunities to empower individuals who are blind or have low vision.
– Oklahoma Senior Journal provides a comprehensive guide to all things senior as well as hosting the Second Half Expo each October.
– OKC Town Hall Lecture Series brings nationally recognized speakers to the city. We are proud to partner with them and promote these stimulating and informative lectures.
– Veterans Initiatives include partnering with Force50 Foundation, Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight, Vietnam Era Veterans recognition and pinning, and Path to Freedom hosted by NewView Oklahoma.
Details for all our activities and those of our partners are on the Events Calendar on our website: https://www.villagesokc.org/, or call (405) 990-6637. We’d love to see you!

Image by Freepik

Entering the empty nest phase can be both exhilarating and daunting. Parents often experience a mix of emotions, from sadness to liberation, as their children leave home. However, it’s also an opportunity for self-renewal and personal growth. In this helpful guide presented by Senior News & Living OK, we will delve into eight pivotal strategies for making this new stage in life truly fulfilling. These suggestions can help parents shift focus towards their own aspirations.
Unearth Hidden Talents: Cultivating a New Hobby
Ever wanted to write poetry or learn how to scuba dive? Now is your chance! Acquiring a new hobby or skill brings with it a sense of accomplishment. Empty nesters can utilize their newfound freedom to explore interests they never had time for before. From painting landscapes to cooking gourmet meals, this is an opportunity for both joy and self-expression.
Degree of Success: Furthering Your Education
Longing for a career change or promotion? Going back to school may be the right move. With fewer family commitments, it’s easier to focus on academic achievements. Opt for an online program that offers a flexible schedule and suits your specific interests and career goals, such as one with a bachelor’s degree in business. Such programs cater to adult learners and can pave the way for new career opportunities – all on their own schedule.
Wanderlust Unleashed: Visit Your Dream Places
Traveling as an empty nester offers a unique opportunity to rediscover the world and oneself without the constant demands of parenting. The freedom to spontaneously explore destinations or delve into long-desired adventures becomes a reality. For those who’ve dreamt of experiencing the magic without the constraints of child schedules, Disney World stands out as a mesmerizing destination. To make this dream more accessible, there are websites that offer deals and insider tips to ensure an affordable experience; simply click here to start the journey. Embracing this phase of life can be rejuvenating and fun.
Strengthen Family Bonds: Reconnect with Your Kids
Family remains essential, even when the nest is empty. The absence of daily responsibilities presents an opportunity to nurture family relationships in a new way. Empty nesters should prioritize family visits, gatherings, and even vacations. Moments like these strengthen family ties and create lasting memories.
Reinvent Your Castle: Home Revamp
With extra space and time, why not consider a home makeover? You can transform that old kids’ room into a cozy reading nook or a sleek (but functional) home office. Investing in home improvements like kitchen renovations or redecoration projects can be fulfilling. The result is a home that reflects your current needs and aesthetic preferences.
Serenity Now: Embrace Mindfulness
A quieter home offers the perfect backdrop for introspection and self-care. Activities like yoga, meditation, or even simple nature walks can be calming. Empty nesters can channel this tranquil energy towards better mental and emotional well-being. Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can yield a balanced, healthier life for years to come.
Expand Your Circle: Make Social Connections
Although your kids might have moved out, there’s no reason to feel isolated. Now is the perfect time to cultivate new friendships and rekindle old ones. Whether joining a book club, partaking in social gatherings, or engaging in community service, social activities can be a balm for loneliness. An expanded social circle can offer emotional support and enrich your life.
Community Engagement: Offer Your Time and Skills
Volunteering is a fulfilling way to give back and stay active. Offering your time to causes you care deeply about can be immensely satisfying. Whether you opt to volunteer at a local animal shelter, school, or charity, your efforts can make a difference. Engaging in community service can also provide a sense of purpose.

Transitioning into the empty nest phase is an exciting journey into personal freedom and discovery. By venturing into new hobbies, advancing your education, exploring the world, reconnecting with family, sprucing up your home, practicing mindfulness, widening your social circle, and volunteering, you can enrich this chapter of your life. Your nest may be empty, but your life doesn’t have to be. So, why not embrace this new phase and explore all it has to offer?

History of Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Veterans Day Timeline – 1919

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Veterans Day Timeline – 1926

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

Veterans Day Timeline – 1938

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor Veterans of World War I.

Veterans Day Timeline – 1954

In 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the Veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” (PDF) which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all Veterans, all Veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”

Veterans Day Timeline – 1958

In 1958, the White House advised VA’s General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee’s chairman.

Veterans Day Timeline – 1968

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

Veterans Day Timeline – 1971

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
To view the “Veterans Day Proclamation” (PDF) visit:
https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/fedreg/fr019/fr019198/fr019198.pdf

Story by By Steven Sibley, MBA/Healthcare Administration

I enjoyed a 36 year career in the military, in the Air Force and Army, on active duty and in the reserve. I was honorably discharged from the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) in 2017 at the age of 61, after 10 years as an Army Reserve Career Counsellor, where my primary duties were recruiting, retention, and educating reservists about their benefits. Now, I do the same for military retirees with their healthcare benefits. While we have great healthcare benefits, many retirees do not access or understand how to maximize them. In my opinion, they make the following three crucial missteps.
First, many retirees fail to use the VA Healthcare System or file for VA disability. Generally, anyone who has served on active duty, is eligible for both these benefits. Veterans can seek care with the Oklahoma VA Hospital by enrolling into the VA’s OKC downtown location, room 1B109. Veterans Services Officers (VSOs) are in the same room who can assist with filing disability claims. Claims can also be file at most VFW and American Legion post’s, the DAV, and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA).
Secondly, many retirees seek another career after leaving active service. Those employers generally offer healthcare benefits. Since retirees are eligible for Tricare Prime or Select up to age 65, they should carefully review their employer plan with Tricare, to see which offers the best benefits and lowest costs. Once a retiree turns 65, they will convert to Medicare with Tricare for Life (TFL). TFL is a premium free wrap around plan, secondary to Medicare, with prescription drug coverage (aka express scripts). Once on Medicare, there is no need for a retiree to continue paying for an employer health plan, which becomes the 3rd payor. This means they only pay the remaining balance after both Medicare, the primary coverage, and TFL, the secondary pays everything Medicare doesn’t. In this scenario, there would be no unpaid balance, so there would be no claim to file with a 3rd payor. It’s simply insurance you do not need.
The third problem is that there is little clear training given about TFL and exactly how it works. Retirees just know that they go to the doctor, get care, and don’t get a bill. While that’s a great benefit, veterans deserve and can access more from the Medicare portion of their TFL by using Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) which will positively impact their health, wellness, and more.
I offer needed education, along with answers and advice to both veterans and their beneficiaries about their healthcare benefits. No cost, no pressure, just help. We’ll sit down and have a conversation until we are satisfied that you understand all that you need to know to make an informed decision about ALL the great healthcare you’ve earned and deserve for you and your dependents. See my ad on this page, and give me a call at 405-850-1569.

Senior News & Living and VIPCare will be hosting a Veteran Resource Fair November 16th at the Guthrie American Legion LeBron Post 58 at 123 N First St., Guthrie, OK 73044.
Coffee, beverages, snacks, and donuts will be served at the event, and veterans are encouraged to attend and enjoy learning and socializing.
Resources covered will include: Veterans Healthcare Options

Veterans Mental Health Services

Veterans Disability Claims

Veterans Home Care

Veterans Education

Veterans Beneficiaries Benefits

and more…

For information about the event, call Steve Sibley at 405-850-1569. We will see you there!