November 11th is Remembrance Day – The Importance of Care for Veterans with Epilepsy

November 11th is Remembrance Day, which is a day where everyone pays their respects to remember those who have died in warfare. Remembrance Day is an important time to remember all those who gave their lives to create a better future for us all.

Remembrance Day is also an important time to talk about the prevalence of epilepsy among veterans and the importance of care for veterans with epilepsy. Veterans often suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which leads to problems with memory and mental health and also puts veterans with TBI at a greater risk of epilepsy. According to a research study, it has been found that, in the United States, epilepsy has been diagnosed in over 87,000 veterans in the Veterans Affairs health care system. For more information on the prevalence of epilepsy in veterans, please view our blog post on the subject here.

There is great importance placed on the care of veterans with epilepsy. In the United States, Epilepsy Centers of Excellence (ECOEs) have been put in place at Veterans Affairs to ensure outreach and care for veterans with epilepsy and has partnered with the Anita Kaufmann Foundation’s Heads Up 4 Vets program.

The BC Epilepsy Society hopes for the same kind of care for veterans with epilepsy in the Canadian Veteran Affairs health care system and for a national coordination of care for veterans with epilepsy in Canada. If you are a Canadian veteran suffering from seizures and have been diagnosed with epilepsy as a result of TBI, please visit the Veteran Affairs Canada website to find your local Veteran Affairs Canada office for resources and support.

Happy Remembrance Day everyone!