One of the primary life goals for most older adults is to continue living at home. According to the AARP, over 85% of adults age 65 and older wish to remain in place and not be moved to a nursing home, VA community living center, or any other type of facility.
Fortunately for veterans needing help with daily activities or are housebound, support is available that can provide home care for them as they age in place. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and it’s called the VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) Benefit.
Eligibility for VA Aid and Attendance Benefits
To be eligible for A&A benefits, veterans must be receiving a VA pension and meet at least one of these requirements:
- Needs another person to help you perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, etc.
- Has to remain in bed, or spend the majority of the day in bed, because of illness
- Is a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of physical or mental abilities related to a disability
- Has limited eyesight (5/200 or worse in both eyes)
If you qualify for A&A benefits, you can receive in-home care.
What Does In-Home Care Include?
Home care services focus on personal care duties like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, and running errands. They may also monitor the client’s health, provide medication reminders, and facilitate communication among the patient, family, and healthcare providers. Depending on the state, those providing care may require certain certifications.
In-home care also tends to be less expensive than other forms of senior care, like a nursing home. Even though it’s cheaper, the ability to stay at home and be independent may vastly improve a senior’s quality of life.
Care providers can be hired part-time, full-time, or for in-home respite care, which allows family caregivers to take a break and avoid caregiver burnout. In-home respite care keeps the client at home and prevents a family from having to move their loved one to an assisted-living facility.
How to Apply and Receive Benefits
The A&A application can take several months to be processed; benefits funds will not be paid during the processing period. However, once approved, the veteran (or surviving spouse) will receive benefit payments retroactive to the original application date (paid in a lump sum, then monthly payments after that).
Instructions on how to apply for Aid and Attendance can be found here.
Can We Help?
Assisting Hands Home Care is here for veterans and their families. We’re happy to visit with you about the in-home care you or your loved one deserve for serving our country. Contact us today to learn more.
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