According to the National Library of Medicine, about 19 million veterans live in the United States today, representing every conflict from World War II to recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each service era carries distinct experiences, from combat exposure to environmental hazards that shape a veteran’s long-term health.
Although projections show a decrease in the overall number of veterans, the population continues to grow older. Veterans aged 65 or older now make up nearly half of the total, and their numbers keep increasing. As the veteran population ages, many face higher rates of chronic physical and mental health conditions than their non-veteran peers. Service-related exposures, the physical demands of duty and the lasting impact of trauma can compound typical age-related risks — often resulting in complex, co-occurring conditions that require coordinated care. This article explores the most common challenges facing aging veterans.
Most common conditions
Hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes frequently cluster among older veterans. The most common triad is diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Nationally, veterans report higher age-adjusted prevalence of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease and cancer compared with non-veterans.
Older veterans also face a higher likelihood of musculoskeletal conditions. Arthritis and chronic pain are widespread and may reflect cumulative physical load during service, often coexisting with other chronic illnesses.
Mental health and aging are also concerns. Post-traumatic stress disorder can persist or re-emerge later in life, interacting with age-related stressors such as loss, illness and cognitive changes. While some surveys show fewer self-reported poor mental health days among older veterans than non-veterans, data from the COVID-19 era shows rising mental health burdens in both groups.
Why veterans’ cases are often more complex
Older veterans frequently experience multimorbidity — overlapping medical conditions, mental health challenges and substance use disorders. This combination increases the complexity of care coordination, drives higher utilization across services and raises overall health care costs.
Service-era exposures — including combat stress, environmental hazards and occupational risks — can shape long-term health trajectories in distinct ways across different cohorts. Many aging veterans live far from Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, but expanded health services and integrated primary care models have improved access and outcomes by bringing coordinated, patient-centered care closer to where they live.
Care considerations that help
- Integrated, team-based care across primary, specialty and mental health services improves engagement, outcomes and satisfaction.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs recommends screening and proactive management for common triads — diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia — and related kidney and cardiovascular risks.
- Trauma-informed, age-appropriate mental health care, including group psychoeducation and evidence-based PTSD treatments, can reduce distress and support better chronic disease management.
- Telehealth — especially telemental health — expands reach, reduces hospitalizations and is well received by veterans.
Maxim Healthcare offers extensive home health, personal care and behavioral care services to the military community. To learn more about the services available near you, contact your local Maxim office. You’ve served us; now let us serve you.
