Sister Mary's assignment: Find and recover veterans

Sister Mary Nestor Prevost, SA, who works for the Samuel S. Stratton Veterans Medical Center in Albany, is a member of a team of outreach workers and clinicians called the Senior Outreach Initiative (SOI).

In partnership with the Albany Housing Coalition, Inc. and the City of Albany, SOI provides community support for low-to-moderate income veterans and their families. Since they may not be aware of the extensive network of medical and housing benefits, and community support programs available to them, Sister Mary's assignment is to contact churches that might know of veterans who should be included.

Resources available

* transportation assistance,

* hospice and caregivers support,

* educational and employment opportunities,

* legal services and financial resources,

* affordable housing and furnishings,

* clothing and food stamps,

* emergency home repair,

* temporary housing and

* a variety of services for the homeless.

According to SOI program manager Mark Hahn, many veterans do not know about those benefits.

"In addition, there is a lot of misinformation in the community and among providers of care with regard to what kind of benefits we offer in this program," he said.

Support services

For example, some of the medical benefits available to honorably discharged veterans through the VA include inpatient or outpatient medical care, a competitive co-pay prescription plan, long-term-care services, alcohol/drug dependence treatment, adult daycare health clinics, vocational rehabilitation, home-based care, smoking cessation programs, mental health clinics, physical therapy, and respite care.

"Some veterans do not realize that in order to qualify [for such medical benefits], they must be enrolled in the program directly through our hospital," Sister Mary said. In many cases, the benefits are free.

On the horn

Although her job is only part-time, the 79-year-old sister lets no dust gather on her efforts to get the information out.

"Sister Mary is a good example of someone who wants to continue to make a difference in our community," Mr. Hahn stated. "She came to us as part of our Seniors at Work program at the VA and has proven that the ability to continue working is not age-related but more a state of mind. She has a background in outreach work, and we are happy that she has chosen to be part of our program. She is a great asset."

Making connections

When she spoke with Rev. John Bradley, pastor, "he agreed to let me set up a table with brochures and information for the veterans one Sunday after all the Masses. Out of 25 people who signed up, 12 are already enrolled in the program and receiving benefits, nine were previously enrolled but had no medical card, and several needed assistance with problems in getting medical coverage. We all feel strongly that each and every veteran who qualifies for these benefits should be aware of them and use them. Our goal is to keep our senior veterans healthy, safe and happy in their own homes and community."

(For additional information, contact Mark Hahn at 626-6021 or Sister Mary Nestor Prevost at 626-6023.)

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