by Jen Dexter, Owner/Administrator
In Home Care for Veterans: Care for Our Heroes
It’s our time to give back to our Veteran Community by providing in home care for veterans: care for our heroes, so that they can feel taken care of
What does it mean for our agency to be able to care for our heroes? It is the highest honor for us to be able to care for our Veterans for a number of reasons. For one, they have made many sacrifices that we may not be able to comprehend or relate to. Some of them have lost fellow brothers and sisters with whom they went to battle and have stories that are so heartbreaking, many who hear them are at a loss for words.
My Heartfelt Experience with a Veteran We Care For
This month, I had the pleasure of sitting with one of our Veterans in his home. I was there with his caregiver Lindsay, and we were chatting and getting to know him and his wife. There were several times in the meeting when I said to him, “We’re here to serve you. We want to make sure you’re safe in your home and we want to help make your day-to-day a little easier for you. We also want to make sure your wife gets some rest so she can better care for you throughout the week. Please don’t feel bad about having us here. This is our job and our turn to serve you.”
He sat there in silence for a moment, holding back tears, and said, “No one’s ever said that to me before.” Then, he began to cry as his wife rubbed his back. My eyes also filled with tears, as we shared this beautiful moment together. It is in these moments when I feel a sense of joy and affirmation that this is my calling. I want to help more Vets and those who need our assistance.
When Veterans Need Help at Home
Another reason why it is important for us to serve our Veterans is because many of them need our help. Some come back from war injured or disabled, while some return with PTSD, and others are simply aging and now in their 80’s and 90’s, struggling with tasks at home such as:
Dressing, grooming, bathing
Light housekeeping
Fixing meals/eating
Medication reminders
Transfer assistance/walking
Respite care for the families
Many Veterans have so much pride that it may be difficult for them to admit they need or to accept it. At Assisting Hands Rockford, we want them to know we are here for them if they are open to accepting our help. We know it does take time to build relationships, earn trust and feel comfortable having someone in your home; however, we are committed to the best quality of care, and we hope to become a part of your extended family.
Honoring Our Veterans Today and Always
In honoring our Veterans, Assisting Hands Rockford feels it is important those Veterans are made aware of what is available to them. After all, they have put their lives on the line to protect us so now it is our turn to help them by providing resources, and guidance to help with the process to seek approval through the Veteran Affairs (VA). There are two programs we can assist with – the VA Homemaker program and the Aid & Attendance Benefit Program. Ultimately, the VA will provide their decision of approval for the services.
If you or someone you know was an active-duty Veteran with an honorable discharge and needs assistance at home, feel free to give us a call to see how we can help. It’s the greatest honor when we can help those who have served us and their families. Give us a call at 815-884-CARE.
