Follow
Share

At age 86, he is now on hospice care. He is receiving in home care and nursing, and our mother is caring for him around the clock. Myself and my 3 siblings are all contributing as often as we can, and have attempted to put tgthr schedules wkly in order that both of our parents are being routinely checked on and helped really in all ways, including everything household chore, and financially related. I went yesterday to discuss nighttime hrs of care for our Dad, as it is becoming increasingly difficult for our Mom to manage because, though mobile, she is 82 yrs old and has an array of medical problems also. Add to this the lack of sleep due to our Dads almost constant need for care; (and he is somewhat stubborn about this care coming from her alone!,). Yesterday I went to discuss this with a service who said they can provide in home care for night time 4-8 or more hours for as many nights as Mom may need it, and as they can provide with employee availability for any given night. They would send CNAs or NAs only in providing this service. Later in speaking with one of my sisters, she mentioned that VA may be an option for Dad, because of his service in the military. So my question is pertaining to this- would he qualify for care from VA (expense paid because he is a veteran.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
In addition to following BarbBrooklyn's good advice on Veterans Affairs, keep in mind that your mother's health should be a priority at this time. I was in my early eighties when, with the assistance of in-home hospice, I was the caregiver to my husband for the last three years of his life. If our hospice team hadn't railroaded me into placing my husband in a nursing home for the last four months of his life, I would probably be dead by now at 86. The VA and hospice are both good resources for your family.
Helpful Answer (10)
Report

Of course he qualifies. Please get assistance entering him into the system.
I had always heard stories about VA not being so great, then I went with my husband (married after he left the Army after 14 years). The respect and care they showed was impressive.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report

There is a blue box at the bottom of this screen; click the link that says "Veteran's Affairs".
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Arianne; that is TERRIFIC advice. End of life care, i.e., round the clock caregiving with only occasional in-home help is basically a recipe for the elderly caregiver's demise!
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Yes he does. Call your VA and get him enrolled. My husband was in the Army for 7 years and he's on VA. Check out thus link
https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/guide/longtermcare/homemaker_and_home_health_aide_care.asp#
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Yes he is - but if he's on Hospice, you've sort of missed the boat for his benefits. Hospice is for 'end of life' and it does take time to get into the VA system.

However, ask - any help is still help. The VA also does HomeHealthCare but most often this is just a once a week nurse. The VA also has a Nursing Home available for Veterans, but you must sign over your home. Sometimes "free help" isn't as free as we think.

My DH is 96 and a WWII Veteran and the VA helps with medicines and supplies needed to keep him clean, ie wipes & wash. But we use a private homehealth and were referred by his regular physician. However, the depends, wipes and Perineal Soap are a blessing as they are not cheap. He also gets Ensure and Thick-It but the amounts monthly are limited. It still saves us 'out of pocket' for his needs.

Ask ask ask.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Dixie, you just "made my day!" I've been speaking with VA reps periodically, at local and state levels, to determine if my father would be qualified for Aid and Attendance. I get different responses depending on who I contact.

I had also been trying to find a good private duty firm in case I couldn't figure out a way to qualify Dad. That's another story, but it's been a disappointing search to try to find a reliable and trustworthy company in my area.

No Social Workers ever mentioned the site you referenced - it's always the same spiel on Aid and Attendance.

Then I read your post, checked out the link, and became aware of something that I never knew before, and suddenly the world became better for us - brighter, more hopeful, and even better than chocolate!

I quote (the VA site isn't copyrighted):

"Since Homemaker Home Health Aide services are part of a service within the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package, all enrolled Veterans are eligible if they meet the clinical need for the service."

Dad gets the SMBP and would clearly meet the clinical needs.

Thanks so much for your post, your reference, and for adding relief and enthusiasm to my search for care. My stress is melting away, suddenly I have more hope for Dad, and I feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway when he's finally rescued! (Except that I'm not quite yet passed out and dehydrated as he was.)
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

He would qualify and depending on his diagnosis it may be related to service and he would qualify for more and possibly his wife would be entitled as well.
Contact the VA or a Veterans Commission office and see what they can do. You do NOT have to pay for this service although there are people that will do the same work you can do but they will charge you a fee.
As a matter of fact there may be someone connected with the Hospice Organization you are with that is a liaison to the VA and they could help you and they may possibly be able to push the application through a bit faster.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Please check into Aid and Attendence....part of VA's Geriatric Care. My husband, a Vietnam vet, fell down our front steps 3 years ago and is now a quadraplegic. My father, a WWII vet, is 92 (still lives w/my 90 year old mom, now in assisted living). Both Dad and Steve get 3 hours/3 days a week, and their caregivers bathe them, dress them, "potty" them, plus light housework like laundry, mopping, vacuuming, unload dishwasher, etc, which gives me time to do yardwork, etc that still has to be done. IN ADDITION, the caregiver gets 30 - 6 hour days annually of "respite care"...where the caregiver can just get away for awhile. ...your mom could take a day trip with you, or visit a friend...it is wonderful!
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Once he applies, he will be put into a classification from 1-8 (how military-like is that?) that are called Priority Groups. Each year the VA only has limited funding and typically those in the highest priority group (8e & 8g) don't qualify for funding. Other Priority Groups have other limits. So start off by seeing what Priority Group he will be in and check to see if it's being funded. If you need help applying, call one of the local Veteran's organizations (like DAV). They have capable staff and will help at no charge. Finally, it takes TIME, so get going quickly. http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/va-health-care-eligibility.html#9
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter