GAO: VA Must Improve Plans for Providing Long-Term Care to Aging Veterans

A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs to improve plans to accommodate aging veterans' long-term care requirements, reports Military Times . The number of veterans needing such care is projected to grow significantly by 2037. VA forecasts that its long-term care costs will balloon from $6.9 billion to $14.3 billion by 2037, and although it has been preparing for the increase, GAO has lingering concerns that the department will not be able to meet demand. Analysts said the department will likely struggle to hire enough staff, deliver services to veterans in rural regions, and serve those with specialized needs like dementia and behavioral problems. GAO said VA has to commit more to envisioning the level of service veterans will require and should set measurable goals such as targets for the number of available ventilators or caregivers needed to help veterans with dementia. The agency also recommended that the department develop measurable objectives for meeting demand, despite workforce challenges and irrespective of a veteran's location.