Veterans Home Care
John was 79 years old, a veteran of the Korean War era, and had been living alone for several years since his wife passed away. The older he got, the more difficult it became for him to take care of himself properly.
It reached a point where a friend of his recommended home care. However, he couldn’t really afford it on his own.
So, he didn’t look into it for another year or so.
By the time he was 81, he was no longer driving, his house began falling apart around him, it seemed, and he was becoming more and more concerned about his own safety. He discussed some of those concerns with his doctor who then recommended home care or some other senior care option, which he wouldn’t consider.
He did consider home care, though. He told his doctor he just couldn’t afford it on his limited pension. That’s when his doctor asked him about his service and recommended he apply for the Aid and Attendance Benefit.
John filled out the application and ended up waiting almost a year for approval. During that time he slipped and fell three times, fortunately avoiding serious injury.
By the time his approval for this pension came through, John had all but given up most of the things he used to enjoy and spent most of his time at home doing as little as possible, all because he worried about falling again, but next time being seriously injured.
When the home care aide started working with John, she was surprised at how long he waited to get help, especially considering the necessity for assistance all that time. He simply shrugged his shoulders and told her, “I just had to wait to get the money to pay for home care.”
Many seniors go through the same situation, especially veterans. When a veteran requires some type of home care, if they are eligible for financial support and assistance through the Aid and Attendance Benefit, for example, it can certainly help lift their spirits. However, due to a backlog at the VA, it could take nine months and even longer to have the approval go through.
That’s a long time for an elderly individual or any other adult to go without the type of care and support they need.
What can seniors and other veterans do while they wait?
They may be able to rely on some type of home care, even if it’s just for a couple of hours a day, two or three days a week to start. During those visits they can rely on that caregiver to help them get a lot of things done, such as laundry, preparing meals for the week, and so much more.
Any veteran who requires home care should get the support he or she needs when they need it.
For more information and to learn about veteran’s home care, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
