Everything Families Need to Know About Veteran Home Care

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ComForCare Home Care - Bonita Springs

For more information about the author, click to view their website: ComForCare Home Care

Posted on

Nov 08, 2024

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Florida - Southwest

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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.

At ComForCare, we’re dedicated to helping older adults remain happily at home for as long as possible. Let’s discuss everything families need to know about veteran home care and how to get the benefits they deserve.

Understanding Veteran Home Care Benefits: Your Questions Answered

Two older veterans stand side-by-side at a Memorial Day service

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.)

At ComForCare, going above and beyond is par for the course: our caregivers develop real relationships with their clients, providing much more than basic services alone. We’re in the business of making a difference in the lives of older adults, becoming an active, meaningful part of their overall care and well-being.

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. 

  • 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

An older veteran in her U.S. Army uniform

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. 

The team at ComForCare can help you navigate these nuances and find out which programs you are eligible for. We’re here to ensure that you aren’t leaving money on the table when it comes to in-home senior care!

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! Let us match you with your perfect caregiver today.

Choose ComForCare: Here to Help Veterans Get the Home Care Services They Deserve

At ComForCare, we’re on a mission to help older adults live their best life possible while aging safely at home. Our teams are made of passionate caregivers who are ready to prioritize your loved one’s well-being. Don’t let confusing processes or unclear eligibility criteria stop your loved one from affording the care they deserve. Get in touch with us today to see how ComForCare can help your family!

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ComForCare Home Care- Bonita Springs

Home Health 9990 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs, Florida, 34135

ComForCare is a premier provider of in-home care with locations in U.S. and Canada. Our personalized care plans and compassionate caregivers help seniors live independently in their own home and continue to do all the things they love.We serve in any setting you call home, whether it is a private home, independent or assisted living community or skilled care facility.ComForCare Home Care- Bonita Springs provides in-home care services including Alzheimer's disease and dementia care, personal care, respite care for families, transition of care after a hospital or rehabilitation stay, chronic disease management, transportation, medication reminders, light housekeeping & laundry, shopping and errands, safety supervision, companionship and much more. Our services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from compassionate caregivers who are experienced, trained, bonded and insured.The ComForCare mission is to improve the quality of life and level of independence for every client and family receiving our services.Preserve Quality of Life with Home Care ServiceComForCare offers a variety of in-home care services to fit the needs of you and your family. It is our goal to provide companionship and help with everyday activities to ensure your elderly loved ones can live safely and securely. Whether your loved ones health concerns are due to illness, injury, or aging, our personal home care packages and flexible scheduling allow your loved one to maintain a sense of freedom, dignity, and connection to friends and family. Seniors who choose to stay at home are often happier, healthier, and recover faster from illness or injury than those living in assisted living facilities. ComForCare is independent living with a little extra help! Experience True CaregivingOur health care professionals are not only highly qualified, but they are also highly compassionate and love what they do. Caregivers who meet our high standards and strict guidelines are screened for empathy, trained in senior care, and matched with clients based on their experience, skills, and compatibility. This unique approach to elder care provides the foundation for a trusted relationship between your loved one and the caregiver, and a long-lasting partnership in care between you and ComForCare. Dedicated Personal Care Tailored to YOUFrom certified nursing assistants to respite care to companionship, our care providers give you just what you need to live your best life. As an alternative to rehab outpatient centers and nursing homes, our home healthcare agency makes daily living easier. Team members partner with family caregivers and patients to develop a custom-tailored care plan. ComForCare's personal care services include non-medical care like grocery shopping, bathing assistance, medication reminders, transportation to doctors appointments, and other companion care. We can also help prepare meals and provide support with household chores on an as-needed basis, as well as incorporate specialized memory care for those with dementia or Alzheimers disease.

ComForCare Home Care- Bonita Springs

Non-Medical 9990 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs, Florida, 34135

ComForCare is a premier provider of in-home care with locations in U.S. and Canada. Our personalized care plans and compassionate caregivers help seniors live independently in their own home and continue to do all the things they love.We serve in any setting you call home, whether it is a private home, independent or assisted living community or skilled care facility.ComForCare Home Care- Bonita Springs provides in-home care services including Alzheimer's disease and dementia care, personal care, respite care for families, transition of care after a hospital or rehabilitation stay, chronic disease management, transportation, medication reminders, light housekeeping & laundry, shopping and errands, safety supervision, companionship and much more. Our services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from compassionate caregivers who are experienced, trained, bonded and insured.The ComForCare mission is to improve the quality of life and level of independence for every client and family receiving our services.Preserve Quality of Life with Home Care ServiceComForCare offers a variety of in-home care services to fit the needs of you and your family. It is our goal to provide companionship and help with everyday activities to ensure your elderly loved ones can live safely and securely. Whether your loved ones health concerns are due to illness, injury, or aging, our personal home care packages and flexible scheduling allow your loved one to maintain a sense of freedom, dignity, and connection to friends and family. Seniors who choose to stay at home are often happier, healthier, and recover faster from illness or injury than those living in assisted living facilities. ComForCare is independent living with a little extra help! Experience True CaregivingOur health care professionals are not only highly qualified, but they are also highly compassionate and love what they do. Caregivers who meet our high standards and strict guidelines are screened for empathy, trained in senior care, and matched with clients based on their experience, skills, and compatibility. This unique approach to elder care provides the foundation for a trusted relationship between your loved one and the caregiver, and a long-lasting partnership in care between you and ComForCare. Dedicated Personal Care Tailored to YOUFrom certified nursing assistants to respite care to companionship, our care providers give you just what you need to live your best life. As an alternative to rehab outpatient centers and nursing homes, our home healthcare agency makes daily living easier. Team members partner with family caregivers and patients to develop a custom-tailored care plan. ComForCare's personal care services include non-medical care like grocery shopping, bathing assistance, medication reminders, transportation to doctors appointments, and other companion care. We can also help prepare meals and provide support with household chores on an as-needed basis, as well as incorporate specialized memory care for those with dementia or Alzheimers disease.