VA Services
Senior Care for Veterans
Many older adults will choose assisted living at some point to ensure they get the care they need for the best possible quality of life in their golden years. For seniors who served in the Armed Forces or spouses of former military servicemen and women, there are veterans benefits available to help pay for this care. The need is greater today than ever before and the team of At Home Atlanta caregivers support our military servicemen and women in their time of need.
How the benefits for senior care work
There are three types of senior care benefits available veterans: Basic, Household, Aid and Attendance.
The Basic Program: all veterans who are at least 65 years old qualify for benefits, no matter their current living situation.
The Household Benefit: may be a better option for those who need only occasional assistance with day-to-day activities.
The Aid and Attendance Level: veterans unable to sustain a comfortable quality of life without help will have access to the assistance they need at an assisted living community. The Aid and Attendance program aims to help veterans and their spouses who need help performing activities associated with daily living (ADL), including bathing, feeding, dressing and protecting themselves from everyday hazards. It is granted to veterans with both physical and mental health ailments. There is also a component of the benefit that provides funds for veterans or their spouses who are homebound.
One of the nice things about the Aid and Attendance benefit is that it’s paid in addition to veteran’s basic pensions, so it can make a big difference in the type of care a veteran can afford. With both Household and Aid and Attendance benefits, the person must qualify for a regular V.A. pension.
Some different circumstances that qualify someone for Aid and Attendance benefits include:
- The individual either has concentric contraction of the eyes or is blind in both eyes
- Daily living activities cannot be completed without someone’s help
- The individual is bedridden
- A mental or physical handicap has resulted in a nursing home stay
To learn whether you or your loved one are eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits, visit The Senior Veterans Council.
How to apply for V.A. benefits that cover senior care
The regional V.A. office where veterans and their survivors file for V.A. pension or death pension is where to apply for either Basic, Household and Aid and Attendance benefits.
When applying, the applicant will need a note from a primary care physician stating that their current mental or physical state qualifies him or her for special benefits. The applicant will also need their V.A. health system ID number to access all of the necessary medical records. Finally, a home care aide, physical therapist, home care agency or anyone else who currently assists the person applying for benefits will need to draft a report explaining how well the applicant can carry out daily activities without help.
The process can take some time and effort -it’s worth it. Financial help from the V.A. can mean the difference between having the care and assistance veteran’s need, or simply going without that care.
Resources for Older Veterans
Since it can sometimes be a challenge to apply for veterans benefits for assisted living, it’s helpful to have access to a few resources. Veterans Benefits Administration offices are scattered across the country, and there are veterans centers in each state that can offer help, too. There are also a range of accredited attorneys, claims agents and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) that can help.
The right benefits can make all the difference when it comes to aging comfortably. Even if a veteran or survivor doesn’t need the above benefits currently, getting the ball rolling as soon as possible is a good idea in the interest of clearing any roadblocks or delays in getting the benefits you need.