Veterans are just like anybody else. They are human, they have feelings, doubts, and fears. One thing many aging veterans experience as they get older is uncertainty about their future. Sure, the Veteran’s Administration (VA) does offer support for many reasons, but it’s not always enough. However, there is a pension program made available through the VA that supports aging and disabled veterans. It’s known as the Aid and Attendance benefit. It’s specifically designed to help provide financial assistance to pay for veterans care at home services when needed.
What veterans qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits?
Wartime veterans, in a nutshell. That doesn’t mean a veteran has to have seen combat, but at least one day of their active duty service needs to overlap with a time of official combat for the United States.
The four major combat periods the United States recognizes are: World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict, and the Gulf War, which began in 2001 and officially ended in August 2021.
What about health issues veterans face?
For veterans under 65, they need to be considered completely disabled in order to be eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits. For veterans 65 and over, they need to be able to document a reason for in-home care support services, most commonly provided through a doctor’s recommendation.
Also, veterans need to be honorably discharged from the United States military to qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits.
Now, how do aging veterans find balance with veterans care at home?
That depends on the individual himself or herself. Some rely on veterans care at home to assist them with the basic necessities of life, including toileting, bathing, getting out of bed in the morning, getting dressed, preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, running errands, grocery shopping, and much more.
Other veterans only need minimal assistance at some point in their lives, perhaps following a major surgery or medical emergency, injuries, or other mishaps that landed them in the hospital.
Finding balance comes down to the individual. Some people, as they get older, give up activities they used to enjoy simply because they don’t feel comfortable or confident on their feet or with their balance anymore.
Having an extra person to support them as they go for a walk, for example, head down to a local park, or even participate in activities like tennis or golf (if they still have the physical capability of doing that, with assistance), can be instrumental at maximizing quality of life.
The key here for aging veterans who need financial support and assistance to pay for veterans care at home is a doctor’s recommendation. If a doctor has recommended they get some help at home for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and they would qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits because they’re considered wartime veterans, they should be encouraged to apply for this pension.
Understand that the application process could take many months, but the VA does offer reimbursements for in-home support services provided while an application is pending, so long as the application is finally approved.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Veterans Care at Home Services in Cookeville TN please contact the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (931) 208-1019
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Cookeville, Algood, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Smithville, Livingston, Dodson Branch, Gainesboro, Putnam County, and surrounding areas.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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