American Legion Seminar On Caring For Older Veterans

Cookeville’s American Legion Post 46 is hosting a seminar Wednesday to inform residents about caring for older veterans.

Post 46 Commander Richard Buford said the seminar came about because when his father passed away, he learned a lot about caring for older veterans he did not previously know. He said he wants to pass that information along to other families.

“Our veterans deserve the best health care we can give them, and by involving families we can make the proper decisions for their healthcare in advance,” Buford said. “before they have a stroke, or a heart attack or something, so they can prepare and have everything in place for their healthcare.”

Buford said booths will be set up to give information to veterans and their families. He said the seminar is a group effort by the VA, the State Department of Veterans Affairs, and the American Legion.

“We will have booths on living wills, healthcare directives, new directives from the VA, hospice care, nursing homes, honor guards,” Buford said. “All information that you want to know about now, instead of waiting until the last minute to learn.”

Buford said if the event is a success, the American Legion hopes to make it an annual event. He said he hopes there will be a large turnout so that more families can be informed and prepared for the future.

“It is my hope that the families that come here will have a greater knowledge of the programs available by the VA and the State Department of veteran affairs to help our families and to help our veterans,” Buford said. “I’m hoping that people will come and prepare for the days when major illness affects their family.”

The seminar will be at the Veterans Building at 90 East Spring Street in Cookeville, from 9 am to 3 pm Wednesday.