Many seniors are proud veterans who benefit from richly-deserved healthcare services. From VA hospitals to outpatient care, veterans can access free or affordable medical resources. And while VA support goes a long way, the system itself is often hard to navigate. Locally, many veterans and their families have questions about how VA benefits can cover the cost of Santa Monica and Marina del Rey home care (caregiver) services.
Here are 7 must-know facts when exploring VA benefits for home care.
1) There are at least 3 VA benefits that can fund caregiver services
The VA system is large and complex. And there are both regional similarities and differences when it comes to available resources. For example, the “Aid and Attendance” program is national and can provide a monthly stipend upwards of ~$2000 to veterans and their surviving spouses that is used specifically for home care services or senior living community costs.
Many VA hospitals also offer a “Homemaker Program” that provides caregiver services for participating veterans. This benefit is funded by the individual hospital and has regional differences regarding eligibility and care specifics.
Finally, veterans may qualify for caregiver services through their TriCare or TriWest insurance plans. In these situations, a VA care manager, social worker, doctor, or other decision-maker must authorize the care. BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey is a contracted provider with TriWest under the VA “Community Care Network” and can therefore accept VA referrals for authorized home care services.
2) Serving in combat is NOT always a prerequisite
Many veterans and families assume home care benefits are only available to those who served in combat. However, that’s not the case. One of the most-commonly utilized resources is the Aid and Attendance program.
This offering has conditions but is not limited to combat veterans. In fact, the main service requirement is that applicants were active duty during a period of conflict. In other words, a veteran who was stationed in Germany during the Korean War might still qualify.
Additionally, the Aid and Attendance benefit is not meant to address service-related or combat injuries (there are other programs for that). So, veterans who have unrelated health conditions or simply battle the physical challenges of advanced age can access Aid and Attendance. In terms of care needs, veterans usually qualify if they require assistance with “activities of daily living” (ADLs), which include bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, and meal preparation.
3) “Dad” may not know he qualifies
Some adult children assume their aging father has already explored all his VA benefits. But home care resources often fly under the radar. After all, it’s unlikely a veteran even thinks about caregiver services until he finds himself in a vulnerable position (usually later in life). Home care benefits are unlike other VA medical benefits that are relevant during a veteran’s younger years.
Family members must therefore take initiative in exploring a loved one’s VA home care benefits and should not accept veteran’s quick dismissal. The VA and affiliated organizations will usually work with family members to initiate the application process. Adult children and other concerned parties are best served by completing the legwork on behalf of aging veterans and asking them relevant questions when necessary.
4) “Mom” may also qualify
Today’s military is proudly composed of both men and women. But the armed forces of previous generations primarily consisted of males. For this reason, many families assume an aging mother doesn’t qualify for home care benefits through the VA.
However, many women are eligible for the Aid and Attendance program. This benefit specifies that “surviving spouses” can qualify for assistance. Therefore, families should always apply for the Aid and Attendance program if “Mom’s” deceased spouse was active-duty military during a period of conflict.
5) Veterans who own homes and assets may still qualify
Some government benefits are only available to folks with extremely limited income and assets. While this needs-based principle somewhat applies to VA benefits, many financially-secure veterans still qualify for home care resources.
The Aid and Attendance program, for example, doesn’t necessarily exclude veterans who own homes, have some money in the bank, or possess other investments. There are limits, however. So, families should consult with the VA or affiliated organizations to confirm whether their loved falls within acceptable perimeters.
6) Third-party organizations help families navigate the “Aid and Attendance” application process
The Aid and Attendance benefit is one of the most widely-accessed VA home care resources. And there are third-party companies that help veterans and their families navigate the application process free of charge. “Veterans Homecare” is one such company, but there are others as well.
While families can complete the Aid and Attendance application on their own, there are reasons to enlist the help of a third-party expert. These companies can quickly assess whether a veteran is likely to qualify. They also provide guidance regarding necessary documentation and are usually more accessible than VA representatives. Finally, some of these organizations even offer loans to help cover the cost of home care in Marina del Rey, or nearby areas while the veteran awaits his first payment from the VA.
7) Santa Monica home care agencies can help veterans and families find solutions
Ultimately, many veterans and families need hybrid solutions that combine multiple resources. And VA benefits are often one piece of the care puzzle. But an experienced home care agency, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, can help families develop a plan that suits their loved one’s needs.
A family caregiver may find the Aid and Attendance program provides enough funding to supplement critical gaps in care. Or perhaps the local VA hospital’s “Homemaker Program” can be combined with supplemental caregiver services from BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey to address “Dad’s” remaining needs. There are many possibilities, and the right Santa Monica or Marina del Rey caregiver company will work hand-in-hand with families to find practical solutions!
Summary
The United States VA system provides valuable resources to America’s cherished veterans, many of whom are aging fathers or granddads. But women may also qualify for home care through the Aid and Attendance program. And navigating any of the VA application processes can be challenging. Fortunately, a trusted home care agency in Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and the nearby communities can help.
If you’re seeking caregiver help for a vulnerable loved one or friend—veteran or otherwise—be sure to call Santa Monia’s best home care agency today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing!
Here are 7 must-know facts when exploring VA benefits for home care.
1) There are at least 3 VA benefits that can fund caregiver services
The VA system is large and complex. And there are both regional similarities and differences when it comes to available resources. For example, the “Aid and Attendance” program is national and can provide a monthly stipend upwards of ~$2000 to veterans and their surviving spouses that is used specifically for home care services or senior living community costs.
Many VA hospitals also offer a “Homemaker Program” that provides caregiver services for participating veterans. This benefit is funded by the individual hospital and has regional differences regarding eligibility and care specifics.
Finally, veterans may qualify for caregiver services through their TriCare or TriWest insurance plans. In these situations, a VA care manager, social worker, doctor, or other decision-maker must authorize the care. BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey is a contracted provider with TriWest under the VA “Community Care Network” and can therefore accept VA referrals for authorized home care services.
2) Serving in combat is NOT always a prerequisite
Many veterans and families assume home care benefits are only available to those who served in combat. However, that’s not the case. One of the most-commonly utilized resources is the Aid and Attendance program.
This offering has conditions but is not limited to combat veterans. In fact, the main service requirement is that applicants were active duty during a period of conflict. In other words, a veteran who was stationed in Germany during the Korean War might still qualify.
Additionally, the Aid and Attendance benefit is not meant to address service-related or combat injuries (there are other programs for that). So, veterans who have unrelated health conditions or simply battle the physical challenges of advanced age can access Aid and Attendance. In terms of care needs, veterans usually qualify if they require assistance with “activities of daily living” (ADLs), which include bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, and meal preparation.
3) “Dad” may not know he qualifies
Some adult children assume their aging father has already explored all his VA benefits. But home care resources often fly under the radar. After all, it’s unlikely a veteran even thinks about caregiver services until he finds himself in a vulnerable position (usually later in life). Home care benefits are unlike other VA medical benefits that are relevant during a veteran’s younger years.
Family members must therefore take initiative in exploring a loved one’s VA home care benefits and should not accept veteran’s quick dismissal. The VA and affiliated organizations will usually work with family members to initiate the application process. Adult children and other concerned parties are best served by completing the legwork on behalf of aging veterans and asking them relevant questions when necessary.
4) “Mom” may also qualify
Today’s military is proudly composed of both men and women. But the armed forces of previous generations primarily consisted of males. For this reason, many families assume an aging mother doesn’t qualify for home care benefits through the VA.
However, many women are eligible for the Aid and Attendance program. This benefit specifies that “surviving spouses” can qualify for assistance. Therefore, families should always apply for the Aid and Attendance program if “Mom’s” deceased spouse was active-duty military during a period of conflict.
5) Veterans who own homes and assets may still qualify
Some government benefits are only available to folks with extremely limited income and assets. While this needs-based principle somewhat applies to VA benefits, many financially-secure veterans still qualify for home care resources.
The Aid and Attendance program, for example, doesn’t necessarily exclude veterans who own homes, have some money in the bank, or possess other investments. There are limits, however. So, families should consult with the VA or affiliated organizations to confirm whether their loved falls within acceptable perimeters.
6) Third-party organizations help families navigate the “Aid and Attendance” application process
The Aid and Attendance benefit is one of the most widely-accessed VA home care resources. And there are third-party companies that help veterans and their families navigate the application process free of charge. “Veterans Homecare” is one such company, but there are others as well.
While families can complete the Aid and Attendance application on their own, there are reasons to enlist the help of a third-party expert. These companies can quickly assess whether a veteran is likely to qualify. They also provide guidance regarding necessary documentation and are usually more accessible than VA representatives. Finally, some of these organizations even offer loans to help cover the cost of home care in Marina del Rey, or nearby areas while the veteran awaits his first payment from the VA.
7) Santa Monica home care agencies can help veterans and families find solutions
Ultimately, many veterans and families need hybrid solutions that combine multiple resources. And VA benefits are often one piece of the care puzzle. But an experienced home care agency, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, can help families develop a plan that suits their loved one’s needs.
A family caregiver may find the Aid and Attendance program provides enough funding to supplement critical gaps in care. Or perhaps the local VA hospital’s “Homemaker Program” can be combined with supplemental caregiver services from BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey to address “Dad’s” remaining needs. There are many possibilities, and the right Santa Monica or Marina del Rey caregiver company will work hand-in-hand with families to find practical solutions!
Summary
The United States VA system provides valuable resources to America’s cherished veterans, many of whom are aging fathers or granddads. But women may also qualify for home care through the Aid and Attendance program. And navigating any of the VA application processes can be challenging. Fortunately, a trusted home care agency in Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and the nearby communities can help.
If you’re seeking caregiver help for a vulnerable loved one or friend—veteran or otherwise—be sure to call Santa Monia’s best home care agency today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing!