Caring4WomenVeterans

Introduction

Whether you are a VA or non-VA care team member, the Caring4WomenVeterans App has useful information to help you serve the unique physical and mental health needs of women Veterans.

Women Veterans often have health needs that are different from both those of male Veterans and the general female population. Whether you are a VA or non-VA care team member, the Caring4WomenVeterans App offers comprehensive information targeting the specific health care needs of women Veterans. You will find facts and statistics about women Veterans’ health, an overview of common issues they face, questions to guide conversations with your patients and links to additional resources.

Features

Get screening and treatment guidelines for women Veterans who have experienced Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Learn which particular health issues and conditions are common to each era of service, including the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars
Share helpful resources with women Veterans who are transitioning to civilian life

Outreach Materials

Caring4WomenVeterans Promotional Toolkit

VA providers and other VA staff can use this toolkit to raise awareness about and promote the use of the Caring4WomenVeterans app. Outreach materials for other apps can be found in the Connected Care Promotional Toolkit Directory.

VA network access is required to view the Promotional Toolkit Directory.

Downloadable Training Materials

User Manual

Training Materials

Getting to Know the App

The Home screen provides an overview of the information in the Caring4WomenVeterans App. Tap on the About Women Veterans, What To Ask, Common Veteran Issues Transition to Civilian Life or Resources tabs either on the Home screen or at the bottom of the screen to go to the information you wish to see.

About Women Veterans

The About Women Veterans section provides general information and statistics about women Veterans and Servicemembers. Tap a category to learn more.

What to Ask

The What To Ask section provides guidance for learning about your patients’ service history. Tap a category to learn more.

Common Veteran Issues

The Common Veteran Issues section provides information about conditions and experiences common to Veterans in general as well as how those conditions and experiences may uniquely affect women Veterans. Tap a category to learn more.

Transition to Civilian Life

The Transition to Civilian Life section provides information about common challenges Veterans face when transitioning to civilian life, the unique effects on women Veterans and resources that can help. Tap a category to learn more.

Resources

The Resources section provides links, tools and information for your reference and to share with your patients, including VA Benefits and Eligibility details, a VA Medical Center Facility Locator and VA Health Care support specific to certain experiences and conditions. Tap a category to learn more.

FAQs

Why should I use the Caring4WomenVeterans App?

The Caring4WomenVeterans App gives you information to help address the unique physical and mental health issues that affect women Veterans. Women Veterans may have health care needs that differ from both male Veterans and the general female population. Because many women Veterans seek health care outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) network, it is important that both their VA and non-VA care team members have the resources necessary to provide informed and comprehensive care.

Do I need to be a VA health care provider to use the Caring4WomenVeterans App?

No. The app is available for both VA and non-VA care team members.

Is the information in the Caring4WomenVeterans App only relevant for female patients?

The app contains general information about conditions and experiences that can potentially affect any Veteran, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or the difficulties of transitioning to civilian life. However, the app focuses on how these conditions and experiences specifically affect women Veterans and offers tools and resources for women Veterans and their care teams.

Is the information in the Caring4WomenVeterans App only relevant for Veteran patients?

The app focuses on the needs and experiences of women Veterans. However, it is important to remember that many women who have served do not identify as Veterans, even though issues related to their service history may affect their physical and mental health. This app will help you learn what to ask and how to ask it in order to provide comprehensive care to your patients who are women Veterans.

What information is covered in the Caring4WomenVeterans App?

The Caring4WomenVeterans App offers background information and statistics about women Veterans and provides you with tools, questions and topics to consider when interacting with your patients. To help guide you in learning more about and treating women Veterans, the app offers these categories of information: About Women Veterans, What To Ask, Common Veteran Issues, Transition to Civilian Life and Resources.

What additional resources can I find through the Caring4WomenVeterans App?

The Caring4WomenVeterans App provides valuable resources for you to share with your patients, including VA Benefits and Eligibility details, a VA Medical Center Facility Locator and VA Health Care support specific to certain experiences and conditions. To access this information, tap the Resources tab either on the Home screen or at the bottom of the screen.

Where can I find additional information about other available VA Apps?

Additional information about other available VA Apps can be found on mobile.va.gov/appstore as well as mobile.va.gov in the VA Mobile Apps General FAQs.

What do I do if I need additional information or help?

If you need assistance with the Caring4WomenVeterans App, dial (866) 651-3180 to speak with a VA representative. For TTY assistance, dial 711.