Resources to Keep Seniors Living at Home Longer

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Most seniors today want to keep living at home as long as possible. They are comfortable there, have raised families, made memories there and, most importantly, value their independence.

Previously we discussed the various programs that Pennsylvania offers to help cash-strapped seniors to afford in home care. You can review that information here.

This month, we want to highlight a program specifically for Veterans and their spouses to receive help to enable them to remain living independently in their own homes longer.

There is a little known program for Veterans known as the “Aid & Attendance” pension.   It provides a monthly stipend for veterans and their spouses (or widowed spouses) to spend exclusively on home care, including personal care, shopping, transportation to medical appointments, light housekeeping, socialization, and more.

There are some requirements to qualify including:

  • Military Service: Are you a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran who served at least 90 days on active duty, at least one day during wartime*, with an honorable discharge? Wartime includes:
    • World War II: Dec 7, 1941-Dec. 31, 1946
    • Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955
    • Vietnam Era: Aug. 5, 1964-May 7, 1975 For veterans who served Feb. 28, 1961-Aug 5, 1964, must have served “in country” (Viet Nam).
    • Persian Gulf War: Aug 2, 1990- date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law. Must have served active duty for 2 years.
  • Medical Need: Do you have a non-service-connected medical condition causing you to need assistance with activities of daily living?
  • Monetary Need: Do you have limited income and assets? (Your home and car are exempt.)

Does this all sound like you or a loved one? If so, you should definitely explore the program. However, you have probably also heard the news about wait times at the Veteran’s Administration. This program has an application process and can take up to 9 months to get fully enrolled.

At Seniors Helping Seniors, we partner with Veteran’s Home Care. Their program, VetAssist®, helps you get the care much sooner than that. The Care Managers at Veteran’s Home Care will help you confirm qualification, complete the application, and then get the care started while waiting for the VA process to complete.

Often, this can all take place within 4-6 weeks. Once started, they help you to stay in compliance with the program requirements and ensure you are receiving the best care!

Brad & Dara TroutFor more information or help to keep your senior living at home, contact Dara or Brad Trout today at (610) 590-4888 or via email at daratrout@heart4helpingseniors.com. You can also visit Seniors Helping Seniors blog on senior care topics on the web at www.seniorcareexton.com/blog & you can refer any senior caregivers interested in part time employment to http://seniorcareexton.com/Want-to-Help.html

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