Reliable senior home care services are becoming more critical due to the increasing number of aging veterans. Many veterans and their families feel trapped by the financial burden of care, which might make them choose assisted living or nursing homes as their sole options.

Veterans who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, or the Persian Gulf War may be eligible for benefits from Veterans Affairs. These benefits can be a lifeline for veterans, letting them age in place in the familiar surroundings of their own homes. One of the perks could be respite care, which is a lifesaver for primary caregiver spouses by allowing them a temporary break from their responsibilities.

Visiting Angels Gastonia proudly provides veterans with compassionate, individualized senior home care in Gastonia, NC, and surrounding areas. To show our gratitude to those who have served, we can assist them and their family with the application process and provide them with non-medical support to maintain their independence and comfort.

Ready to learn more about our in-home senior care services? Call us at 704-825-3350 or complete our online form to request a free, in-home consultation today.

Who Qualifies for Veterans Benefits for Elderly Care?

VA benefits make senior home care services more affordable for veterans and/or their eligible surviving spouses. Here's who is eligible to receive assistance

• Meets Qualifications for Serving in the Military, Reserves or National Guard: To qualify as a veteran, one must have served in the armed forces, Navy, or Air Force and have a discharge not for dishonorable reasons. Furthermore, those who have served in the Reserves or National Guard, were summoned to active duty by a government order, and have completed their military obligations may be eligible.
• Needs Help with Activities of Daily Living: Proof of a need for assistance with personal care tasks, including getting dressed, eating, using the restroom, and moving about, is required. A VA physician often assesses this need.
• Has Disabilities Not Related to a Provided Service: Even if a veteran does not have a service-connected condition, they may still be eligible for benefits if the VA determines that they are permanently incapacitated and their combined disability rating is 70% or above.

How Do Veterans Benefits Work?

U.S. military veterans may qualify for personal care benefits through the Aid and Attendance or the Community Care Network programs.

Here’s how each program works:

• Aid and Attendance benefits
  Veterans who receive a VA pension may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits if they need help with daily activities, are bed-bound, live in a nursing home, or have limited eyesight. Veterans may qualify for “Housebound” benefits if they need to spend most of their time at home due to a permanent disability. In most cases, benefits are paid directly to the veteran and/or their surviving spouse and added to their monthly pension.

• Community Care Network benefits
  Veterans who qualify for Community Care Network benefits may be eligible for assistance with homecare costs. Qualified veterans will be assigned to a service care coordinator, who will determine how many hours per week the veteran requires care and will help the family connect with caregivers in their area. Community Care Network benefits are paid directly to partner organizations.

What Can Aid and Attendance Money Be Used For?

This money can be used for various benefits, such as the following:

• Dementia care
• Companion care
• Transitional care
• Alzheimer's care
• Palliative care
• End-of-life care
• Fall prevention 

How to Apply for VA Home Benefits

To determine if a veteran is eligible for VA home care services, they must confirm their military service and honorable discharge status. Next, you'll want to gather the DD-214, any pertinent medical records, and financial information. Fill out VA Form 10-10EZ when you have gathered all of this documentation.

There are a couple of ways to apply:

• Online
• By calling the VA at 877-222-8387 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
• By mail, sending the completed 10-10EZ to Health Eligibility Center, PO Box 5207, Janesville, WI 53547-5207
• Applying in person at a VA medical center or clinic
• Applying through an attorney, claims agent or Veterans Service Organization representative

Once the application is submitted, the VA will arrange for a medical evaluation to determine how much care your loved one needs. After assessing your application, the VA will send you a letter outlining their eligible benefits.

Because application processing times can be lengthy, it's recommended to apply for VA benefits before your loved one needs them. This helps you avoid paying out of pocket while waiting for approval. 

Schedule Your Free In-Home Senior Care Consultation

At Visiting Angels Gastonia, we're humbled to serve those who have served our country. We're committed to helping veterans and their spouses age safely in place at home, and we're proud to be active in local veterans events, including coffee get-togethers. 

Ready to find out more about our senior home care program? Call us at 704-825-3350 or fill out our online form to speak with a staff member. Our coordinator will answer your questions and make sure your senior is a good fit for our program.

After that, we’ll come up with a schedule to find the days and times that work best for you and get started providing care.