Women Veterans have served since the beginning of our nation’s founding and are often overlooked. As of 2023, 2.2 million living Veterans are women and they are the fastest growing group in the Veteran population. The VA is committed to providing them with the best care anywhere.
In 2000, Women Veterans made up 4 percent of the overall Veteran Population. In 2023, that number had increased to 11.3 percent and it is projected to reach 18 percent by the year 2040.
Woman Veterans are racially and ethnically diverse. In FY2020, 43% of the women who used VA health services belonged to a racial or ethnic minority. This is more than double the overall percentage of minorities who used VA health services across all gender groups (approximately 20 percent in FY2020).
“Providing gender-sensitive care to Women Veterans throughout their lives is critical to meeting their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. In addition, Women Veterans often face unique challenges, including a higher risk of sexual assault and harassment during military service, which can leave lasting physical and emotional scars”.
Dr. Qwynn A. Galloway-Salazar, US Army Veteran
Serving the Unique Needs of Women Veterans
Using the Military Health History Checklist during the intake process will help identify Women Veterans.
Staff and caregivers can use Department of Veteran Affairs resources to stay educated on how to serve women Veterans across the care-at-home continuum.
- Female Veteran Use of Palliative and Hospice Care: A Scoping Review. This journal article from Military Medicine provides an overview of evidence based research on female Veterans using hospice and palliative care.
- Analysis of Palliative Care Knowledge and Symptom Burden Among Female Veterans With Serious Illness: A Cross-Sectional Study. This journal article from the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine provides an overview of the female veteran population’s knowledge of palliative care and symptom burden.
- Military Sexual Trauma—VA resources to share with families and staff.
- Center for Women Veterans (CWV)—Research for Women Veterans
- Mental Health Resources for Women—Video created by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you know of a Women Veteran in need of mental health services related to PTSD or other mental health conditions linked to service, including conditions related to an experience of military sexual harassment, assault or rape, they may qualify for VA health benefits right away, even without a VA Character of Discharge review or a discharge upgrade. If they have a less than honorable discharge you may be eligible for a discharge upgrade. Learn more about discharge upgrades.
VA Resource Support for Women
- Women Veterans Call Center: 855-VA-WOMEN
- Veteran Crisis Hotline: 988 (press 1)
- Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274
- VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000
- VA Center for Women Veterans (CWV)
Honoring Women Veterans Across the Care-at-Home Continuum
Care-at-home staff may provide a meaningful opportunity for Women Veterans to feel that their service was not in vain, and that they are appreciated. Simple acts of gratitude can make up for a lack of appreciation or recognition during the Veteran’s lifetime, especially for those Women Veterans who were never welcomed home or thanked for their service. Learn how you can honor the women veterans in your care.
