Caregivers for Aging Veterans
Making good decisions about one’s own care doesn’t happen in a vacuum. In other words, for an elderly veteran who may be thinking about home care options, making the best decision for himself at that time requires information and a clear understanding about his own limitations and challenges.
February is Wise Health Care Consumer Month and gathering the right information is the first great step toward making smart choices about one’s own health care, including home care.
The difference between home care and home health care.
One of the first steps to determining what the elderly veteran may need with regard to care at home is to understand his physical capabilities and health issues at the moment.
If the elderly veteran had been hospitalized recently following a heart attack, stroke, or other medical emergency, his doctor may recommend some type of home care. This may include a visiting nurse and/or physical therapist or some other medical professionals. In that case, he would be looking into home health care.
If he needs assistance with basic daily care, such as help getting out of bed, bathing, going to the bathroom, getting dressed, and more, then he would most likely be looking into a home care aide.
That’s the first and most important information the elderly veteran should acquire when it becomes clear he needs some type of assistance.
Next, it’s a good idea to try and determine if there are any pensions available through the Veterans Administration that could help pay for this type of support. Medicaid may be able to cover short-term home care, but if the veteran served at least 90 days of active duty service, with at least one of those days falling during a time of active combat, as defined by Congress, he may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance Benefit. This pension can pay for home care services, or at least a significant portion of it, when it is a specific requirement.
What about calling on friends and family?
It’s easy to call on a family member who lives not too far away to provide some type of support, but that’s not always the best option. Consistency and experience make a world of difference in not only keeping seniors safe, but also encouraging them to pursue activities they enjoy.
Making smart decisions about home care for aging veterans begins by understanding what options are available and how it can provide a higher quality of life for the senior.
For more information and to learn about caregivers for aging veterans, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
