Jim Smith, an 81-year-old Army Veteran, has benefited greatly from telehealth services offered by the VA. With mobility challenges, Smith finds it difficult to attend in-person appointments, making telehealth a vital resource for managing his diabetes. Using VA Video Connect, he can have virtual appointments to discuss his health and review test results from home. Smith appreciates the convenience, stating, “For me, being able to sit in my chair and get help makes all the difference.”

Initially, he faced challenges accessing My HealtheVet due to issues with signing in. However, staff at the Lakeland VA Clinic helped him navigate the transition to using Login.gov and ID.me, boosting his confidence in managing his health records and medications online.

In addition to receiving support, Smith contributes to the Veteran community through Vettes to Vets, a nonprofit he joined to help hospitalized Veterans. The organization, which connects car enthusiasts, has raised over $75,000 at recent events to provide essentials and uplift Veterans. Smith’s experiences highlight the transformative impact of telehealth and community support for Veterans.