Rural veterans are older and have more complex medical issues than their urban counterparts. Veterans aged 65 and above represent 57% of all rural veterans who are enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA; Department of Veterans Affairs, 2019a). These older adults often have multiple chronic conditions and aging-related issues that require care from multiple disciplines, including primary care, specialty care, mental health care, and coordinated health and social services; and yet, accessing these services at a health-care facility may require extensive travel. This article describes telehealth approaches by the VHA, including the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers (GRECC) Connect clinical demonstration project, to increase access to geriatric care for aging veterans and family caregivers residing in rural areas.

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