When it comes to caring for our Veterans, we know many of them are aging. Our servicemen and women, regardless of when or where they served, deserve all the care they need. This is especially true for those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementias. We know these conditions are common in seniors, and with Veterans, there are additional considerations that need to be made. Regardless of their diagnosis, health, or current situation, there are resources to help Vets and their families.
VA health care for dementia
The VA offers a range of services for those with dementia. From home-based care to respite care, inpatient to assisted living, the VA has several resources for Vets. Additionally, they recognize the importance of support for caregivers. There are a number of resources for dementia caregivers—which is a huge job! To access any of these services, talk to the primary health care provider of your Vet. They can help you find the right options for your loved one. You can also find a list of services on the VA website here.
Paying for dementia care
We know this can be an extremely stressful piece of the puzzle for families. Caring for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s is not an easy job, nor is it cheap! But there’s help available. Obviously, Vets can take advantage of the VA for any number of their services at no cost. There are also other options depending on the individual’s situation. From Medicare to Medicaid, personal insurance, and more, we can help you figure out a way to get your loved one the care they need and deserve. This takes planning though, and the sooner you address the current needs and projected needs of your loved one, the better his or her situation will be.
Using the VA Pension Benefit (or Aid & Attendance)
Some Vets may qualify for an additional benefit that can help pay for dementia or Alzheimer’s care (or any care for that matter). This benefit is available to a subset of Veterans and their spouses and can be very helpful in defraying health care costs. To learn more about it, we recommend checking out this blog post about the specifics.
Want to learn more about paying for long-term care for your Vet? We’d love to help you come up with a plan to address their needs. Contact our office today for a free Discovery/Right Fit Meeting and we’ll work together to find the right solutions.
