Trying again... to get help for a Vietnam vet

[jilln]

Hi,

Sorry, this is going to be long. I posted about this before and got some good suggestions, but so far nothing has worked out.

My former neighbor is a Vietnam vet and says he has never gotten benefits. He was living with his sister who was going to kick him out. I was trying to get info for him, but then he disappeared for a few months. Turns out he got a small apartment close to the old neighborhood and it seemed like he'd be OK for a while, but now he says "someone is taking money out of his bank account" and he only has enough to stay there for another month. This guy is an alcoholic and pretty incapable of doing normal, everyday things. I would not be surprised if HE were the one taking the money out and he didn't remember.

In any case, I am about to move out of the city so I can't even try to help anymore. I've thought about giving him a prepaid phone or something - anything to try to make his life a little easier - but I know he'd either lose it or someone would take it from him. As an example of how incapable this guy is, I took him to the movies on Memorial Day. He left to go to the bathroom and then just stayed outside. When I asked, he said he couldn't remember which door it was to get back in. There were only 4 choices, and each had the movie poster outside... but he couldn't remember which movie he was seeing.

I gave him a brochure for a place that says they do legal aid for vets, but depending on who you talk to in the office they may only help when someone is DENIED benefits and I don't think he's even gotten that far before. He said he was going to the VA hospital to get his benefits (is that even possible? I thought the hospitals were just for medical care...) but then later told me his nephew never went to pick him up so he never went... it's just a frustrating situation.

He really needs someone ASSIGNED to him to make sure he gets stuff done, goes to appointments, etc. and I can't be there to do that. Does anyone know of any association that could help him and keep on top of it and even take him to appointments if necessary? He's actually thinking about committing a crime so he can "live in jail".

[Kali]

1. I don't have much to offer (know a few about like this myself)

other than have you talked to the sister, maybe she would be able to help with the sort of "normal" help like contact numbers and the brochure you spoke of?

Personally I wanted to add that although we obviously have a big difference of opinion (knowledge?) on the western land use issue I think this is a wonderful thing you are doing. Caring about someone to this extent. Good luck.

[jilln]

3. I don't think his family will be of much help

He lived in the house next to mine for over 40 years and took care of his parents as they died there while his other siblings left him to do that alone. When they died, they forced him to sell the house so they wouldn't have to pay the property taxes. They split up the money and then charged him rent to live in their houses, gave away his chihuahua while he was out one day, etc. On the one hand I can understand the frustration of dealing with him for all these years, but on the other, he is a genuinely good and generous guy and needs help.

[ingac70]

2. See what you can find on here...

http://www.va.gov/


http://www.vba.va.gov/

[jilln]

5. Hmmmm

There's good info there but nothing that this guy would be capable of doing. Probably what we need is an independent volunteer group that works on this kind of stuff.

The link for "Communications to Congress" did give me an idea, though - I never thought about trying to get our representative or senator to help. I'm gonna make some calls...

[stillcool]

4. The VA hospital...

may be able to steer him to the right place...if not the professionals than other vets. Your friend sounds like my dad. When help was offered he declined...didn't want any 'hand-outs'...so he went the way he went. The only time he accepted 'help' was when it was forced upon him via a locked ward. Getting help without getting hurt more, is a precarious endeavor...I hope some others can provide some concrete ways for you to help your friend.

[sandnsea]

6. The Vet Center

Every town has one.

And yes, you have to go to the VA Hospital to get your disability. A friend of ours tried to get his for years through the MT VA, came to Oregon and had it in months. A drinking alcoholic though, I don't know how well that's going to work, especially with all the Iraq Vets needing assistance too.

It would probably be best for him to get treatment for his alcoholism first. There might be a VA program for that, but usually you have to be sober to check in. Maybe there's a detox where he can go first.

If we knew where you lived, we could probably be more help.

[jilln]

7. I called the Vet Center

They said all they do is treat PTSD.

He may not be drinking right now. He said he didn't have the money for it. But I don't know if that's true.

And I'm in Dallas right now.

[sandnsea]

8. A few

1-800-662-4357 Alcoholism Referral Service

Homeless Veterans Service Coordinator 1-877-222-8387

NAMI 1-800-950-6264

1-800-969-NMHA

Dallas Detox [phone]

Coalition for Homeless Vets http://www.nchv.org

Dallas VA Medical Center
Contact Name: Hattie Johnson
Address: 4500 Lancaster
City/State/Zip: Dallas, TX 75216
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Salvation Army, a Georgia Corp.
Contact Name: Neil Phillips
Address: P.O. Box 35928
City/State/Zip: Dallas, TX 75235
Phone: [phone]

Salvation Army, Carr P. Collins
Contact Name: Leonard Branon
Address: 5302 Harry Hines Blvd.
City/State/Zip: Dallas, TX 75235
Phone: [phone]