Advancing Research and Theory on Aging Military Veterans in a Relational Context

Relationships are important for successful aging, but older military veterans (aged 65 and older) experience distinct barriers and challenges to social connection. We argue that theories of social connectedness and health in older adults do not fully reflect the experiences of veterans despite providing fundamental insight into the social needs of individuals in later life. Thus, the purpose of this article is to (a) articulate the importance of social relationships for older adult veterans, (b) describe the theories commonly used to understand social connectedness and health in older adults, (c) delineate the limitations of applying these frameworks in military veteran populations in their current form, and (d) suggest potential ways to adapt these theories for older veterans. In line with this goal, we conclude by offering recommendations for understanding older adult veterans in a relational context in order to set a research and practice agenda for military family scholars and practitioners.