The Veterans Administration has a new concierge service in Augusta called Whole Health.
Counselors at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center – Uptown Division help veterans navigate the bureaucratic complexities of the country’s largest health care system.
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For example, Whole Health counselors may inform a veterans they are entitled to free dental care because they are rated at 100% disabled. Or the counselors help veterans get extra pool therapy sessions, which is extremely valuable to people with spinal injuries or widespread, chronic arthritis.
“I was injured in the service, my lower back,” said Kevin Nixon, 60, a disabled Grovetown veteran who left the Air Force in 1988. “Because of the buoyancy you can exercise and keep the pain down and still stay in physical shape.”
Because of continued COVID restrictions at the hospital, therapists limit the number of patients in the pool, but by going through counseling in the Whole Health program, Nixon was able to get extra sessions.
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He said now that COVID restrictions are over elsewhere, it’s time for the VA to add more pool sessions and do away with distance restrictions.
Trinia Greene, a disabled Army veteran with multiple sclerosis, also used Whole Health to get more pool sessions. Greene, 51, says the pool lets her exercise without the danger of falling over. Because of her disease, she sometimes loses balance and muscle control and once fell and suffered a concussion.
Greene said the Whole Health program helped her focus on what was important, which is staying active so she can care for the animals on her farm in Dearing.
“I’m hoping I can get back up on my horse again,” Greene said. “We’ll see.”
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Warnesia Lowe, one of the Whole Health coordinators, said many veterans find out about her program from pool therapy. When a veteran is referred to her or the other counselor, Percival Galloway, they ask veterans a series of questions to help identify what is important in the patient’s life. For doctors who have limited time, helping a patient means surgery, prescriptions or referrals to therapy.
But Lowe said she had one client who was tired of clutter at home and needed someone to help talk through how to start cleaning the house, starting with the garage. Others benefit from art therapy or group counseling. It’s her job to listen and get the veteran what they want and need, she said.
“We ask ‘What matters to you?” Lowe said. “You work with a coach, you work with a partner and it’s really discovering that MAP, Mission, Aspiration and Purpose, for the veteran. Because Whole Health starts with them. They are the experts of their own care. They know what they want to live for.”
Veterans interested in signing up for the Whole Health coaching and concierge service can call (706) 733-0188 extension 27807 or send a secure message using My HealthVet to Charlie Norwood VAMC Whole Health.
Joshua B. Good is a staff reporter covering Columbia County and military/veterans’ issues for The Augusta Press. Reach him at joshua@theaugustapress.com
