Veterans Home Care Assistance Program
You’re worried about your aging veteran father and believe he should have some type of home care working with him on a regular basis. You’re probably right. If your father is having difficulty managing his own basic care at home, is letting the house fall down around him, isn’t eating properly or getting the right level of exercise because of his age and diminished physical capabilities, then a home care aide would be incredibly beneficial for him.
One of the most common excuses that some elderly veterans use to explain why they don’t hire a home care aide has to do with expenses. When a person is on a fixed, limited income, they might not believe they have the disposable income to be able to afford any type of home care.
Your father might be okay with relying on you or some other family members or friends every once in a while, but here are four reasons why you should encourage your father to at least look into applying for the Aid and Attendance Benefit, made available through the Veterans Administration.
Reason #1: He served at least 90 days active duty in one of the major branches of the United States military.
Because your father served at least 90 days of active duty, he may very well qualify for the Aid and Attendance pension program.
Reason #2: At least one of those days of active duty service fell during a time of combat, as defined by Congress.
This would include World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict, and the Gulf War. Currently, there is no close date to the Gulf War as defined by Congress.
Reason #3: His doctor has recommended he rely on some type of home care.
In order to qualify for this pension program, an elderly veteran does not have to have been injured or disabled during their active time of service, but they need a doctor’s recommendation stipulating the necessity for assistance at home.
Reason #4: It will help to reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents.
Falls are the number one cause of accidental death among seniors, including aging veterans. By relying on an experienced caregiver, somebody hired through an agency, your father will be getting the type of support to not only get out of bed, get dressed, bathing, do laundry, light housekeeping, preparing meals, and maybe even transportation services, among others, he will also be reducing his exposure to certain risks involved with slip and fall accidents.
For more information and to learn about Veterans Home Care Assistance Program, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
