Veteran Care

Long Term Care Can Be the Greatest Crisis Seniors Will Face

All elderly people, regardless of current health, should plan for this crisis in their lives. Indeed, long term care can be the greatest crisis an older person ever faces. With the need for care, the elder loses their grasp on the three most important lifestyle concerns in old are:

• Remaining independent
• Having enough money
• Maintaining good health

They all disappear with the need for care. The cost of care can wipe out a lifetime of savings and destroy equity in a home. However, there are certain benefits offered through the VA program that can help mitigate or even eliminate some of these issues.

Many veterans are not aware of the eldercare benefits available through veterans’ health care. One particular VA program is called ‘Veterans Pension’, or ‘Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit’. This can provide 10 to 20 hours per week of free personal care services for veterans and their spouses.

How Do I Qualify for This Program?

Pension is available for any veteran age 65 and older who served during a period of war. The veteran must have an honorable discharge, meet income requirements, and need assistance with daily living on a regular basis to stay independent in their chosen place of residence. A lesser pension benefit is also available to the single surviving spouse of a veteran who served during a period of war.