assisted livingIt can be difficult to understand the VA benefits you are eligible for especially when it involves assisted living.

This guide will help you understand the benefits and determine if you are eligible. Continue reading to learn more about VA benefits for assisted living and how to obtain the help that you may be eligible for.

Is the VA able to cover the costs of assisted living?

Although your VA benefits may cover many things, the simple answer is that they do not directly cover for the expenses that involve assisted living in Myrtle Beach.

However, this doesn’t mean your VA benefits will not be helpful in paying for your assisted living costs.

The VA offers a variety of programs that could be used to support veterans looking for senior care.

Although there is no direct program to assist veterans in need of senior care, VA benefits for assisted living are available to a certain degree. Continue reading to learn more about these benefits and how to access them.

What is the Aid and Attendance Program

The VA offers the Aid and Attendance program, which allows eligible veterans to receive additional funds in addition to the benefits they already receive. These funds can be used to assist veterans in completing activities of daily living (ADLs).

Requirements For Eligibility For Assisted Living Benefits

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Aid & Attendance Program:

  • You must be a veteran of the United States
  • You must require assistance for someone else with everyday tasks.
  • You must be bedridden
  • You need to have some eye conditions

You should be staying in a nursing home because you need care due to a disability or physical incapacity.

You do not have to meet all the requirements to be eligible for this program. While you do not need to be a veteran of the United States, you can still be eligible for this program if your eyesight is not impaired or you are unable to perform daily tasks independently.

Do VA benefits cover assisted living?

Yes, assisted living expenses can be covered by certain benefits even though there isn’t an assisted living VA program.

Veteran-Directed Care Program

The Veteran Directed Care Program is similar to the Aid and Attendance Program that provides additional funds for eligible veterans to allow them to choose and hire the caregivers they prefer.

This program allows veterans the freedom to decide what is best for them, either by themselves or with the help of a representative.

This benefit is meant to help both the veteran as well as their caregiver. It allows them to be as active as possible, maintains their health, and still provide support for their loved ones.

Veteran Directed Care Program provides a unique opportunity for veterans to create a support network.

Although the VA does not offer specific benefits for assisted living, some may consider the Veteran Directed Care Program to be one of the VA benefits for assisted living.

To be eligible for this program, a veteran must:

  • Register for VA benefits
  • Specific clinical criteria must be met
  • Must Be Eligible To Get Community care
  • Be Located In A Place The Offers The Program

What other options are available to veterans for assisted living with VA benefits?

These programs are not your only options for finding the care that you need.

Veterans have many options for care and support, including a VA community center or an Armed Forces Retirement Home.

VA Community Living Center

The VA Community Living Center is a similar facility to a nursing home.

These facilities are VA-run, and help veterans return to peak health or prevent future decline.

Similar facilities often get a bad reputation for being cold and distant. However, these facilities take extra measures to make residents feel at home. They encourage residents to decorate their rooms and even allow pets to stay.

VA Community Living Centers might be an option for veterans who meet the requirements and are in search of short-term or longer-term care.

VA Community Living Centers are a great fit for some people, but the nursing home-like structure can mean less independence and comfort for others.

Armed Forces Retirement Home

The Armed Forces Retirement Home is a Federal Government initiative that provides eligible veterans and their spouses with a community that offers meaningful activities and lots of exposure to history, heritage and culture.

Two locations are available at the Armed Forces Retirement Home: one in Washington DC and one in Gulfport MS.

The AFRH offers many great benefits.

The Armed Forces Retirement home is not a nursing facility. To be eligible for residence at the AFRH, you must be able and willing to live on your own after admission.

This includes:

  • Personal care
  • Get your meal in the dining facility
  • Attending to all your medical appointments

AFRH residents should also be exempt from:

  • Convictions for felonies
  • Problems with drugs
  • Psychiatric issues
  • Alcohol problems

You must remain independent once you move into your home. However, as you age and become less independent there are many care options for veterans.

These options include:

These services are available only after the resident moves in and starts to require them.

The AFRH is more like a retirement community than an assisted-living facility.

The AFRH may not be the right community for you if you’re looking for support for your daily needs.

The AFRH offers veterans a comfortable, affordable retirement option that is affordable for them and their spouses.

State Veterans Home

State Veterans Homes has a rich history, which dates back to the beginning of the post-civil War era. They provide the opportunity for veterans to live comfortable, safe, and meaningful lives.

These homes were originally built to provide shelter and resources for homeless veterans and disabled veterans.

These facilities provide adult day care, nursing homes, and domiciliary care.

State Veterans Homes, as the name implies, are managed by the individual states and not the VA.

Each facility is subject to an annual inspection by the VA to ensure it meets all standards.

Before a facility can be considered a State Veterans’ Home, it must be approved and inspected by the VA.

Who is eligible for VA Benefits for Assisted Living

Some veterans are not eligible for VA benefits that may be used for assisted living.

To be eligible for these benefits, there are some basic requirements.

  • Honorable discharge,
  • Age 65+, or permanently disabled
  • A minimum service requirement.

When you are considering your options, it is important to keep in mind the financial and medical eligibility requirements.

Eligibility for Medical Care

To be eligible for additional benefits, you must meet certain medical requirements.

The VA requires that those seeking these benefits must be able show that they have a medical need. You may need to meet additional requirements depending on the benefit. For the most current information regarding medical eligibility requirements, contact the VA directly.

Financial Eligibility

To receive certain benefits, you must be below a certain income level. Details can change from benefit to benefit. Your best bet for finding the most reliable and current information is to contact your Veterans Benefits advisor.

Call Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest now if you’re looking for a caring, comfortable, and reputable facility for your loved ones.

Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/