VA Aid and Attendance Benefit and How It Can Help Pay for Senior Living

Author

Assured Senior Living

Posted on

Sep 28, 2022

Book/Edition

Colorado - Denver Metro

For many families worried about whether they can afford the cost of senior living, the Veterans Aid & Attendance benefit can offer great peace of mind.

Though it’s been around since the 1950s, many Americans are not familiar with this important VA benefit for senior living. In fact, more than one-third of Americans over 65 are either wartime Veterans or are married to one, which means they may qualify for benefits that can help offset the cost of senior care. Yet less than 10 percent of those who qualify have even applied for Veterans Aid & Attendance, which provides a non-service-connected pension to assist in paying for long-term care for wartime Veterans or a surviving spouse with limited income.

Eligibility for This Important VA Benefit for Senior Living

You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension, and you meet at least one of these requirements:

You need another person to help you perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing, or

You have to stay in bed—or spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness, or

You are a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability, or

Your eyesight is limited (even with glasses or contact lenses you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less)

Housebound benefits eligibility:

You may be eligible for this VA benefit for senior living if you get a VA pension and you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability (a disability that doesn’t go away).

How Aid & Attendance Benefits Your Senior Living Budget

Quite simply, with Aid & Attendance you have increased buying power which:

Opens up more options when it comes to choosing the senior living community that fits your needs best.

Gives you peace of mind in being able to stay in the community longer than your budget otherwise may have allowed.

 What’s more, this VA benefit for senior living is tax-free and paid directly to you by the Treasury Department.

Watch out for myths—learn the truth about this VA benefit for senior living.

There are many misconceptions that can cause Veterans or their surviving spouses to miss out on the full benefits they are entitled to, or to not even attempt the application process at all. At Assured Senior Living, we want you to have the facts. Here are a few common myths you should know about.

Myth: To qualify for this VA benefit for senior living, you must have served in a combat zone.

Truth: To qualify, the Veteran must have served during an eligible wartime period. Except for the Vietnam wartime period of February 28, 1961 to August 4, 1964, there is no requirement that the Veteran must have served in a combat zone. The service criteria are 90 days of active duty, with at least 1 day during an eligible wartime period and the Veteran was other than dishonorably discharged. Or, your spouse at the time of their death met these criteria.

Myth: You can’t receive a partial benefit for Aid & Attendance.

Truth: Aid & Attendance is not all or nothing, you can get a partial benefit. For example, if your income minus home care and facility costs leaves you with a positive number or “Income for VA Purposes,” but one less than the Maximum Pension Benefit, you can receive the approximate difference between the Maximum Pension and the calculated Income for VA Purposes.

Myth: A spouse can only receive Aid & Attendance if the Veteran has passed away.

Truth: If a Veteran is still married and his or her spouse needs care, they are considered a dependent spouse. A married Veteran can be awarded a Basic Pension if he or she has a dependent spouse as long as eligibility requirements are met.

To Apply for the Aid & Attendance Benefit:

• Send a completed VA form (https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-2680-ARE.pdf) to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state. Find your PMC at https://www.va.gov/pension/pension-management-centers/.

• File a claim online (https://www.va.gov/pension/application/527EZ/introduction)

• Apply in person at a VA office (https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits) near you.

Why You Might Want the Assistance of VA Accredited Agent

Keep in mind that it’s not just the length of the application for this VA benefit for senior living that makes the process complex, it’s also all understanding all the nuances. An expert who knows all the rules and regulations, as well as how the VA works can not only help make the process much easier, but also make sure you get the benefits you deserve to pay towards senior living costs.

And while the VA may tell you to expect it to take 12 to 18 months for your application to be approved, a VA accredited agent can typically help reduce that time significantly.

At Assured Senior Living, we want everyone who needs care to have the opportunity to thrive physically, intellectually and socially. 

Other Articles You May Like

Who Is Eligible for Home Care Services?

When it comes to caring for an older person, someone leaving hospital, or someone who has a disability, it can be difficult to know what resources are available to you. You may wonder if your loved one needs to enter a rehab facility, hospital, or nursing home or if they are eligible for home care services, allowing them to stay in familiar and comfortable surroundings.At ComForCare, we offer a range of flexible home care services to meet the needs of many people who could use a helping hand. If youre interested in learning whether home care could be right for your family, read on for some of the many ways we offer support in the home.In-Home Senior CareHome Care is a service that provides support for the day-to-day activities of living. Older adults who need a helping hand to stay on top of household duties, personal care, meal preparation, and similar activities are great candidates for home care services. An in-home caregiver can help older adults maintain their independence in the comfort and safety of a familiar space. Nearly 90% of adults over 65 want to age in place, staying in their homes and communities as long as possible. With in-home elderly care services, that dream can be a reality for many.Transitional CareWhen a loved one is moving from a hospital, rehabilitation center, or skilled nursing facility to home, providing a safe transition is crucial. Seniors are at an elevated risk of hospital readmission and other hazards after hospitalization. In fact, people ages 65 and over account for about 56% of 30-day readmissions after discharge from care facilities.  Transitional care, otherwise known as short-term services, can help support seniors during this critical time. ComForCares professional caregivers are advocates for their clients health, and they can:Assist with personal care, such as bathing and groomingHelp implement discharge instructions from doctorsPick up prescriptions and provide medication remindersHelp schedule and attend follow-up medical appointmentsReduce fall and injury risks with home safety recommendationsRespite Care & Short-Term CareSometimes, older adults who live at home receive the care they need from family members. While this arrangement can be wonderful, it can also be taxing on their loved ones. Up to 35% of family caregivers rate their health as fair or poor, which can lead to burnout. To ensure that you are providing the best possible care for your family member, you need time to take care of yourself!  Thats where respite and short-term care come in. Hiring a professional caregiver temporarily can give you the time you need to recharge, refresh, and resetwhether for a weeks vacation or just a weekend break. This service can also help provide a fresh perspective so you dont have to feel alone in the care and keeping of your loved one.Disability ManagementThough in-home care is most often associated with seniors, many adults with disabilities also need compassionate, hands-on care. Whether your loved ones disabilities are physical or cognitive, institutions cant always provide the kind of personalized one-on-one care that your family member needs.Advocates and researchers have seen the positive impact that home and community-based services make in the lives of people with disabilities. At ComForCare, our disability management services can help make that difference in your family members life. We provide care services including, but not limited to:Light housekeepingHelp with hygiene and incontinence careMeal preparationTransportation assistanceAlzheimer's and Dementia CareMany people believe that once an older person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, they cant live at home anymore. However, with ComForCares unique approach, DementiaWise, we can give older adults the freedom to remain at home as long as possible. With flexible scheduling, personalized care, and meaningful activities that keep your loved one engaged, calm, happy and utilizing their remaining abilities, you can rest assured that your family member is living their best life, physically and mentally.Find the Best Home Care ServiceNow that you know who a good candidate for home care services is, its time to find the best team to look after your loved one. At ComForCare, we continually strive to provide the most compassionate, consistent and competent care to those who need it. With flexible care options suited to each individuals needs, well care for your loved one like family. ComForCare: Long or Short-Term Home Care with Joy and Dignity. If you have any questions, please call 720-575-5576.

How to Get Your Parent to Accept Help at Home

When it comes time for your parent to get more assistance at home with cleaning, personal care, cooking, etc., you might be met with some resistance, which can be frustrating.  There are usually two main reasons older adults dont want extra help.  Caregiving (in-home care) services may be perceived as a transition from the known to the unknown. Your parent could see this transition as irreversible; caregiving will happen whether they are ready or not and that their abilities will quickly decline until they are entirely dependent on someone else. These feelings can be overwhelming.  As the adult child or caregiver, how can you inspire them to accept help? Frame caregiving services as a trial; convey that if they dont like it, they can try a different caregiver or try something else. Emphasize this and repeat it often. Continue to encourage your parent that they can remain as independent as possible if they have in-home care. Another approach is to compromise: instead of eight hours of caregiving services each day, try a few hours a week.  The second major reason is that many seniors dont feel the need to fritter their life savings away on expensive care options, while the adult child feels that in-home care is the best use of their savings. Explain that their savings and caregiving services are to ensure good quality of life and dignity as they age. Those saved dollars, in other words, are fulfilling their intended purpose.   How to Become Your Parents CaregiverThere may be times where you need to step in as your parents caregiver. Planning, communication and inclusion are key to making the transition easier.   When forming a plan for caregiving, try to stick to your loved ones current routine to ease them into the adjustment. Dont forget to communicate the plan, and its occasional required deviation, often and openly. Always include your parent, provide options and choices, and allow them to make the final decision if possible.  The golden rule is to be involved only in ways that enhance and enable your parent to preserve their remaining abilities and intervene only in ways that provide support as they lose abilities. For example, if your older loved one finds walking difficult, instead of bringing everything to them, add accessibility options such as handrails and encourage exercise and fall prevention strategies to strengthen their muscles and balance. As your parent ages, you may need to increase your duties as their primary caregiver. You may need to gauge your own comfort level with certain tasks, as well as your overall burnout level. For example, you may not feel comfortable helping your parent with showering. This is where professional respite care comes in. This allows you to retain the position as the primary caregiver and receive help from a home care company. Respite care is most effective when used to unburden the adult child; removing tasks and worries so you can focus on the special moments and deepen the connection you have with your loved one. Getting your parent to accept care is achievable with proper expectation setting, giving them choices, and keeping them involved in the decisions as you go. If you have questions about home care, please review our Resources page or call with any questions 970-575-5576. Our goal is to help seniors and their families live their best lives possible.

Home Care vs. Assisted Living: A Guide for Families of Seniors

Making the decision about senior care for a loved one can be difficult. Not only do you have to determine that care is necessaryyou then have to decide what kind of care to pursue. Usually, when its no longer safe or possible for an older person to take care of themselves alone, the decision comes down to two options: home care or assisted living. But how do you decide?Whether home care or assisted living is best isnt a one-size-fits-all decision. Its important to take your loved ones needs and their own feelings about the matter into account. But home care may be a more realistic option than you thinkeven if your family member struggles with dementia or another illness. Lets talk about some of the considerations to make when choosing between home care and assisted living, and the benefits that home care can offer.A Few Things to ConsiderHow Much Care Does My Loved One Need?One of the major factors in your decision will be the level of care your loved one needs. Its important to be realistic about what they need help with and how involved you, as a family caregiver, can be. Their needs can range from assistance with activities of daily living to emotional supportso take several key areas of life into account as you assess:Medical needs: will your loved one require extensive, specialized medical care?Personal care needs: do they need help bathing, grooming, and/or dressing?Social needs: are they in need of extra companionship or transportation to social engagements?Cognitive health: will they need specialized dementia care?Mobility & safety: is their home safe from fall risks and easy for them to navigate?At ComForCare, were here to help our clients come to terms with these needs and will recommend the most appropriate level of care suited for them.The Difference Between Home Care & Assisted Living CareIn-home caregivers come to the clients home as often or as little as needed, from a few times per week to 24 hours a day. They provide personalized, non-medical care to their clients that can grow and change as their needs change. In doing so, they allow seniors the opportunity to live at home and in the communities they love, which a majority of people over 65 prefer.At an assisted living facility, clients live on-site in private bedrooms or small apartments with shared common areas. Many facilities offer a range of services, so finding one to fit your loved ones needs is crucial if you choose to go this route. While the care and level of involvement is not as flexible or tailored, this option can be better for those who require a great deal of skilled medical supervision and care.Benefits of Choosing At-Home Senior Care ServicesMaintain IndependenceIndependence means different things to different people, but its a key component of a persons identity and dignity. For some, it means remaining in the community theyve spent so much time cultivating. For others, it means maintaining their beloved home and the possessions theyve collected over the years. Home care gives them the ability to stay independent and feel in control of their golden years while getting the assistance they need. Research suggests that older adults who have their needs met through home care report a higher overall satisfaction with life!Caregiver MatchingOne of the many benefits of home care is the one-on-one attention that a home caregiver brings to the table. At ComForCare, we go above and beyond to ensure that our caregivers are matched with clients that they can build meaningful relationships with. We dont just assign caregivers at random. Instead, we have a dedicated process for aligning your loved ones needs, preferences, and personality with the right person. Relief for Family CaregiversIf youve been caring for a family member, you know that it can take quite the emotional and physical toll. Home care allows you to focus more on your relationship with the person you love while we take care of other responsibilities. Our caregivers are highly trained not only to provide daily assistance around the house but to coordinate care, provide transportation, prepare meals, and so much more. Whether you need one day of respite care or a more long-term plan, were here to help you be the best caregiver and family member you can be.Safety, Comfort, and PerspectiveAmong the many services that home caregivers provide is safetyand with it, peace of mind. At the very earliest stage of your relationship, your caregiver will perform a comprehensive safety check of the home, minimizing fall risks, assessing accessibility needs, and more. And because home care is so personalized and one-on-one, your caregiver will be able to watch your loved ones condition over time, looking out for any signs that medical intervention or extra care is necessary.Choosing the Best Home Care AgencyWhen choosing a home care agency, its important to seek one that offers flexibility to meet your needs and schedule, sets a high bar of excellence for its caregivers, and offers transparent, honest, and compassionate communication every step of the way. At ComForCare, we have over 20 years of experience doing just that, and we strive to meet and exceed these expectations every single day.If youre not sure whether home care is right for your family, set up a consultation with your local ComForCare representative. Well help you assess your needs and provide personalized recommendations to get the ideal care for the person you love.ComForCare: Here to Support You Every Step of the Way. Call for more information, 720-575-5576.

Local Services By This Author

Assured Senior Living 8 - Meadowbrook Pl

Memory Care 2 Meadowbrook Place, Littleton, Colorado, 80120

MEMORY CARE WITH A MISSION - LOVE IT'S WHAT WE DO! Maybe youve already sampled the typical memory care routeonly to find your concerns were more than founded.  Instead of thriving, your loved one declineddeprived of the love, comfort, and consideration they once enjoyed. Isnt there a better way? you wondered, hopeful a new path might emerge?Your decision to transition your loved one into memory care wasnt made lightly.  You acted out of selfless love knowing you could no longer provide the level of daily care they needed to remain safe and independent in their own home. Still, the thought of watching your once-vibrant loved one fading, locked away to stare at the walls in the dreary institution, makes your heartache. No one should be forced to choose between a loved ones safety and quality of life. Your decision to transition your loved one into memory care wasnt made.At Assured Senior Living, you can be assured of our quality care in a safe, secure environment, as well as peace of mind knowing your family member will receive the comprehensive services, personal care, and emotional support he or she needs, 24 hours a day. (*Including awake staff). Our innovative program provides the structure and routine needed to ensure feelings of security and certainty in day-to-day life. Please call for a personal tour of how Assured Senior Living can meet your loved one's unique needs.

Assured Senior Living 7 - Riverstone Dr

Memory Care 10139 Riverstone Dr, Parker, Colorado, 80134

MEMORY CARE WITH A MISSION - LOVE IT'S WHAT WE DO! Maybe youve already sampled the typical memory care routeonly to find your concerns were more than founded.  Instead of thriving, your loved one declineddeprived of the love, comfort, and consideration they once enjoyed. Isnt there a better way? you wondered, hopeful a new path might emerge?Your decision to transition your loved one into memory care wasnt made lightly.  You acted out of selfless love knowing you could no longer provide the level of daily care they needed to remain safe and independent in their own home. Still, the thought of watching your once-vibrant loved one fading, locked away to stare at the walls in the dreary institution, makes your heartache. No one should be forced to choose between a loved ones safety and quality of life. Your decision to transition your loved one into memory care wasnt made.At Assured Senior Living, you can be assured of our quality care in a safe, secure environment, as well as peace of mind knowing your family member will receive the comprehensive services, personal care, and emotional support he or she needs, 24 hours a day. (*Including awake staff). Our innovative program provides the structure and routine needed to ensure feelings of security and certainty in day-to-day life. Please call for a personal tour of how Assured Senior Living can meet your loved one's unique needs.

Assured Senior Living 5 - Thatch Cir (Traumatic Brain Injury/ Supportive Living)

Memory Care 1671 Thatch Cir, Castle Rock, Colorado, 80109

ASSURED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SUPPORTIVE LIVINGWHERE YOURE MORE THAN YOUR INJURYTired of feeling defined by your traumatic brain injury, or witnessing your loved one be reduced to a collection of outward behaviors and symptoms? Its time to experience the whole-person care difference. At Assured Senior Living, we offer supportive living and care for individuals with brain injury. We understand the complexities traumatic brain injuries can presentand offer personalized, compassionate care to help our valued community members thrive. If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury and youre looking for the very best option in supported living and careyouve come to the right place.