There are 16.5 million veterans of the Armed Forces living in the U.S., and approximately two-thirds of all veterans are senior citizens. Veterans and the spouses of veterans over the age of 65 may be eligible to receive Aid & Attendance benefits from the VA that can be put towards the cost of care, including home care. Those who are eligible must apply for benefits through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. At Assisting Hands, we can work with veterans who receive Aid & Attendance benefits to cover the cost of home care from our caregivers.
We provide non-medical veteran home care services in Bourbonnais, IL for veterans and the spouses of veterans who receive Aid & Attendance benefits from the VA. Our licensed caregivers provide quality, compassionate home care and respite care services for veterans while treating them with the respect they deserve. If you or a loved one receives Aid & Attendance benefits, we can work with you to determine how your benefits can cover the cost of home care.
Providing effective care for veterans and their spouses is personal for us as our owner Sean Washington is himself a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp. Sean served in the Marine Corp for ten years that included work on Marine One under the Clinton and Bush administrations. He then became a military contractor for the White House and worked in medical supplies. Everyone at Assisting Hands, including Sean, are passionate about giving back to those who have served our country by providing the best possible home care.
VA Aid & Attendance Benefits
Veterans and spouses of veterans who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for Aid & Attendance benefits with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The benefits they receive can be used to help cover the cost of home care from Assisting Hands. To be eligible for Aid & Attendance benefits, veterans and the spouses of veterans must meet the following criteria:
- Veterans and spouses of veterans must be 65 years of age or older to apply
- Veterans must have served during a time of war for at least one day
- Surviving spouses must have been married to the veterans at the time they passed away
- Retirement accounts held by the veteran must be worth less than $123,600
- Monthly income must be below $2600 for single veterans and $2000 for surviving spouses, and combined monthly income must be below $3000 for married couples
You should be ready to answer the following questions when applying for Aid & Attendance benefits:
- Have you previously applied for or received benefits related to wounds suffered during military service?
- Do you require assistance with any activities of daily living (ADLs)?
- Are you planning to remain in your home for the next year? If you do not live at home, do you plan on returning?
Veterans and spouses of veterans who receive Aid & Attendance benefits from the VA can use these benefits to help cover the cost of VA homemaker and respite care from Assisting Hands Home Care.
VA Homemaker/ Home Health Aid (HHA) Program
Veterans and spouses who are eligible for our VA homemaker and home health aid services can get coverage of up to 12 hours per week for home care. Before beginning this care, those eligible must complete an evaluation for geriatric extended care (GEC) from a mixed discipline panel that includes a medical doctor (MD), social worker (SW), and a registered nurse (RN).
One of the following criteria must also be met:
- Significant cognitive impairment
- Dependent on help for 3 or more activities of daily living (ADLs)
Veteran Respite Care
The Kankakee County VA Clinic is an outpatient clinic within the VA Chicago Healthcare System that provides health care for veterans and the spouses of veterans. They offer primary care, pharmacy services, laboratory services, and specialty health services like mental health care. Those who qualify for and receive VA benefits in the Bourbonnais, IL area can visit the Kankakee County VA Clinic for outpatient care. Assisting Hands Home Care can provide care during your stay and after being discharged from Kankakee County VA Clinic.
Veterans and spouses of veterans who are cared for by a family member can put their Aid & Attendance benefits towards the cost of respite care from Assisting Hands. Our VA respite care services are ideal for veterans who need outside help while their regular family caregiver takes time off. Those eligible for this program must complete the same evaluation for geriatric extended care from an interdisciplinary panel and meet one of the following criteria:
- Significant cognitive impairment
- Require help with 3 or more ADLs
Veteran Home Care Services from Assisting Hands
Veterans and spouses of veterans who receive Aid & Attendance benefits from the VA can use these benefits to help cover the cost of home care from Assisting Hands Home Care. You can call us to set up a free in-home consultation in which we will assess your loved one’s care needs and discuss how Aid & Attendance benefits can be applied to the cost of home care.
Give us a call at (708) 300-9338 to learn more about our veteran home care services in Bourbonnais, IL.
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