Eldercare Resources

**The following post is from my guest blogger, Natalie Langley, MSW. She is a Geriatric Care Research Analyst for SCANS (for more on SCANS, please see Eric Tinsley's blog by clicking here).**

If you are a veteran, a surviving spouse of a veteran, or a caregiver of a either, I'm sharing some important information on veterans benefits today. Veterans or surviving spouses of veterans who may now or in the future need caregiving assistance in the home, assisted living, or long term care facility you may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance Benefit. Veterans Financial (not affiliated with the Veterans Administration) is an organization that can help veterans and their families obtain any eligible benefits. Veterans Financial is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

The Aid and Attendance benefit is a benefit paid in addition to a monthly pension. You may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit if the veteran or the surviving spouse:

Requires the ongoing aid of another person (caregiver, home health aid, or another) in order to perform basic personal functions required in everyday living (i.e. bathing, eating, dressing, etc.) -OR-
Is bedridden -OR-
Is a resident in a long term care facility or nursing home due to cognitive or physical incapacity -OR-
Is blind, or nearly blind

For more information on Veterans Financial, Inc. please visit:
www.veteransfinancial.com or contact them at 800-835-1541.

Comments for Veterans benefits and where to turn for additional information

Saturday, March 21, 2009 by Ruth Edelback:: They were great, thanks Natalit for the advice. Mom's should got $1,056 per month for her assisted living.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 by Pat Coats:: My husband is a retired veteran who is 100% disabled -service connected as of February 7, 2005. For the past four years I have been assisting with his daily basic needs such as: bathing, dressing, shaving, getting him in and out of bed, administering his medications, taxing him to his appointments, assisitng him with occupational and physical therapy exercises, and more... how and where can I apply for compensation?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 by Natalie:: Hi Pat, Thank you for your comment. I would recommend checking out this website for more information: http://www.vaaidandattendance.com/ Hope this helps!
Saturday, July 11, 2009 by Michael R. Young:: My brother(Charlie) has emphysema, and can no longer care for him self, he is a Vet and has some disability income and social security, I do not know the amount of either. He is now in V.A. Hospital Indianapolis, needs a home with occasional care giver. Any Information would be greatly Appreciated. thank you Michael R. Young
Monday, July 13, 2009 by Natalie:: Hi Michael, thank you for your comment. You may want to check out Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette. Their phone number is 765-463-1502. Before committing to any home, I would make sure to do a thorough check of the home, take a tour of the place, and find out what, if any deficiencies they have had in their annual survey, etc. Hope that information helps.