Long Term Care Benefits For Aging Veterans

By Terry Douglas, Maryland Elder Law Attorney

Douglas Law Office

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Long Term Care Benefits For Aging Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can provide a team to help older veterans stay in their homes. This team may include a geriatric care manager, nurse, dietician, occupational therapist, and a social worker. For some veterans, this is all free. In addition, the VA will pay a monthly income to eligible wartime veterans.

Let's say that Spencer Short served in the military during the Korean War. He is 87 years old and married to Evelyn. They live together in their home. Spencer has difficulty walking and unable to stand for more than a few minutes. He says he has no energy to bathe and he is afraid that he will fall, which may result in a hip injury. As a result, Spencer stopped taking showers, and he hasn't showered for over a month. Spencer feels embarrassed.

Neither of them drive anymore, and it's too much of a challenge to leave the house. They live on social security and a small pension. Both of them would like to stay in their home, but have no extra money to pay for a home health aide. Evelyn feels depressed.

The good news Resources are available from the VA.

1. VA Home Based Primary Care is available to veterans who need help with the basic activities of daily living (ADLs bathing, dressing, fixing meals, or taking medication) in their home. To request geriatric and extended care services in your home, complete VA Form 10-10 EC. For help with this form, contact the social worker at the VA Hospital in Baltimore (800) 949-1003, 0, ext. 1121.

2. VA Health Care In order to get any health care service through the VA, the veteran must first enroll by completing an application for Health Benefits, VA Form 10-10 EZ online, in person, by mail, or by phone. The income cap for Anne Arundel County is $52,600 if married (after deducting medical-related expenses). If the family refuses to provide their household financial information, there may be a co-pay to receive the services. Once in the system, the VA may cover the costs for eyeglasses, prescription drugs, hearing aids, and incontinence supplies.

3. Veteran's Pension The VA offers a monthly cash benefit up to $2,127 per month ($25,525 per year) to wartime veterans over the age of 65 (or any age if permanently and totally disabled). This is tax free and does not affect social security payments. The benefit amount depends on marital status, level of care, cost of care, and financial status. This money can be used to help pay for long term care expenses. There are also financial benefits for eligible surviving spouses, on average up to $881 per month ($10,580 per year).

For the Shorts, these services and financial benefits will allow Spencer to stay at home and get the care that he needs. They would be able to afford a home health aide for 2-3 times a week to tend to Spencer's personal hygiene as well as assist with other duties such as laundry and light housekeeping. Evelyn will be her true self again, a loving wife.

The VA offers several different programs with varying eligibility requirements. For more information about veterans benefits, visit www.va.gov or call (877) 222 VETS (8387).