As our loved ones age, it can become increasingly difficult for them to live independently. This is especially true for veterans, who may have unique health needs related to their service.
Fortunately, there are resources available to help veterans and their families navigate the challenges of aging and stay at home longer with home care services.
Only a fraction of veterans or their spouses take advantage of their VA benefits to help pay for the cost of senior care. Many don’t realize that these funds are available, and still others have trouble navigating the often confusing and time-consuming process of applying and qualifying for these funds.
What is Veteran Home Care?
Many veterans know that they can have home healthcare services covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, did you know you can also qualify for help paying for non-medical home care services? Sometimes known as companion care or homemaker services, this type of assistance helps veterans live at home for longer. With an in-home care service, experienced caregivers help older adults with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as:
· Eating
· Dressing
· Personal grooming
· Bathing
· Using the bathroom
· Grocery shopping & home chores
· Mobility (sitting, standing, walking, etc.)
What Benefits Are Available to Veterans to Help Pay for Senior Care?
There are many sources of VA funds to help seniors cover the cost of care, including the VHA Standard Medicaid Benefits Package. Let’s talk about two of the main benefit programs available to veterans that you may not know about: the Aid & Attendance Pension Program and the Veteran-Directed Care Program.
Aid & Attendance Pension Program
Designed to supplement the cost of long-term care for veterans and surviving spouses, this program is ideal for veterans already receiving a pension. As long as a veteran has reached the age of 65 and/or has at least two ADLs (help with bathing, dressing, etc.), they can qualify.
Aid and Attendance benefits and the Housebound allowance provide extra income to a VA pension to help pay for care. Here are 2024 figures (which generally go up every year):
· Up to $2,050 per month for single veterans
· Up to $2,431 for married veterans
· Up to $1,318 for surviving spouses
· Up to $3,253 for two married veterans
Additional income and asset limits do apply, though these can have complex caveats.
Veteran-Directed Care Program
The Veteran-Directed Care program offers a budget for approved senior care services, rather than a direct increase in pension. With the help of a counselor, veterans manage this budget and choose their own providers. There are no age, asset, or income limits to this benefit – the veteran simply must qualify for home and community-based services.
With this program, veterans and their spouses can choose to spend their benefit money on services such as:
· Personal care services
· Companion care
· Respite care for family caregivers
· Chore services
· Homemaker and home health services
Who is Eligible for Veteran Home Care?
Overall criteria depend on the source of funding. For example, the Aid & Attendance benefit has stricter requirements than the Veteran-Directed Care Program. Eligible individuals:
· Are U.S. veterans who are 65+ or 100% disabled
· Served at least 90 days of active military duty (after training)
· Served at least one day of active military duty during a period of war (WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf)
· Received an honorable, medical, or general discharge
· Need another person to help you perform daily activities or are bed-bound
· Are a surviving spouse of a veteran who meets these criteria (if they have not remarried)
These guidelines are general, and additional requirements, such as asset and income limits, may apply. However, if you believe you or your family member meets the above criteria, don’t give up hope if you run into problems with these net worth limits.
Get Help Maneuvering Through the VA System
Too many veterans don’t get the help they need because they either don’t realize these benefits are available to them or get overwhelmed in the application process. Receiving your benefits can feel like an uphill battle, but you are not alone. At ComForCare, we’re proud to serve veterans, helping them confirm their eligibility, gather the necessary documentation, and navigate the VA system.
If you or a loved one needs assistance to continue living at home safely, talk to ComForCare today for personalized guidance!
To learn more about home care, visit:
ComForCare.com/FairfieldCT and call: (203) 612-8966 for a no obligation consultation. ComForCare Home Care is a premier provider of in-home care, helping older adults live independently in their own homes and continue to do all the things they love. The home care company is committed to helping people live their best life possible and also offers special programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.