Respite care is invaluable to family caregivers who spend most or all of their time providing compassionate care to an aging loved one. When the elderly care recipient is a veteran, VA benefits can help pay for respite care at home.
What is respite care?
Ensuring a senior receives uninterrupted care when the primary caregiver must take a break is critical to maintaining health and well-being. Family caregivers rely on respite care to achieve this end. It is a short-term form of care typically lasting a few hours, days, or weeks.
During the brief time away from the care recipient, the primary caregiver who utilizes respite care may spend time with friends, go on vacation or exercise at the gym, for instance. An opportunity for self-care rejuvenates the caregiver, allowing her to return to caregiving duties refreshed and re-energized.
What are the benefits of respite care?
Having a few days off from caregiving responsibilities lowers the primary caregiver’s stress levels. As a result, care becomes more focused and compassionate. The relationship between the caregiver and care recipient also improves when the former is no longer overwhelmed but relaxed.
Are veterans eligible for respite care?
Respite care is available to people of all ages who benefit from a professional caregiver’s assistance at home. Veterans, too, are eligible for respite care if they meet the clinical need to receive this helpful service. A veteran’s Standard Medical Benefits Package covers VA respite care.
A veteran qualifies for VA respite care benefits when they are diagnosed with and suffer from a chronic illness or medical condition that requires a professional level of care. Per the VA, these conditions do not have to be related to service.
Certain disability requirements are less restrictive, particularly for older or clinically depressed veterans. According to the VA, individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias typically meet the disability requirement to be eligible to receive VA respite care benefits.
Veterans must be enrolled in the VA health care system in order for the respite care to be covered. Alternately, this benefit is covered when the veteran is eligible for VA health care without the need to enroll in such care.
Another factor affecting eligibility for VA respite care is where the veteran lives. In general, qualifying veterans must live at home rather than in a care facility. Veterans residing in a community living center or VA medical center are ineligible for respite care because they already receive professional care.
What are the co-pays for respite care?
Veterans may be charged a co-pay when they receive respite care. The amount of the co-pay is based on the veteran’s service-connected disability status and financial resources. Co-pays vary depending on individual circumstances and may change from year to year.
As of 2018, the benchmark figure is a $5 co-pay per day for in-home respite care. A veteran who receives respite care from an outpatient facility, like an adult day center, may be charged a co-pay of $15 per day. Inpatient care comes with a co-pay of $97 per day.
It’s important to note that the veteran and their family do not receive a cash payout from the VA for respite care benefits. Rather, the veteran is directly offered a caregiver who can provide quality caregiving services or is provided with a voucher.
How often can VA respite care be used annually?
The VA limits how often and how long respite care can be used. Respite care is offered to veterans for 30 days per year, which do not have to be used consecutively. Instead, veterans can divide up these 30 days in a variety of ways to fulfill their care needs.
For example, a veteran may hire a home health aide. Each visit may be up to six hours. A single home health aide visit equals one day of respite care. Veterans may also divide the 30 days of respite care among the various types of respite care available to them.
What types of care do veterans receive from respite care?
In-home respite care provides the veteran support with the activities of daily living. Care options are dependent on the availability of care in the veteran’s geographic area. Respite care provides help with meal preparation, personal hygiene tasks, transportation, and medication reminders.
What should veterans consider when assessing their needs for respite care?
Veterans are advised to discuss their respite care needs with a social worker or physician. Determine how much assistance is needed for daily tasks. Consider the primary caregiver’s needs and the type of respite care they prefer. Figure out the best way to use the 30 days of respite care.
Call Assisting Hands for Free Consultation
Veterans who choose to age in place rely on a caregiver to fulfill their care needs. When the primary caregiver needs a break, veteran respite care from Assisting Hands Home Care is the solution. We ensure your care remains uninterrupted and you continue to live a high quality of life.
Compassionate respite caregivers from our home care agency pick up where the primary caregiver leaves off. We prepare nutritious meals, provide transportation to doctors’ offices or the senior center, give timely medication reminders, perform light housekeeping, and serve as friendly companions.
Our high-caliber non-medical care ensures that veterans remain physically, emotionally, and socially healthy at home. Periodic respite care is also beneficial to the primary caregiver’s overall well-being. They receive a much-needed break and return to caregiving responsibilities rested and rejuvenated.
Complement aging in place with veteran home care from Assisting Hands Home Care. Veterans enjoy the opportunity to remain at home and stay close to friends, family, and the community they value. Our caregivers make their wishes for living at home for as long as possible a reality.
Veterans who have bravely served deserve quality home care. We are proud to offer quality senior care to older adults in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the surrounding communities. Schedule a free in-home consult to learn more about in-home care options. Let Assisting Hands Home Care serve you!
