What is known on the subject?• Little is known about how PTSD and dementia in Veterans is identified by health care providers.
What the paper adds to existing knowledge?• Healthcare providers identify those behavioural symptoms experienced by older people living with dementia that represent an unmet need associated with PTSD secondary to military service. Once healthcare providers recognize the presence of symptoms relevant to PTSD, they modify their care approach to include focused/tailored non-pharmacological care interventions that address environmental and situational variables that reflect military action.
What are the implications for practice?• Specialized education and training is needed to improve the identification of PTSD when existent with other co-occurring neurocognitive conditions such as delirium, dementia and depression.