Home Care for Veterans: What You Need to Know

The Importance of Home Care for Veterans

Our Veterans courageously served our nation and, as they age, it’s our honor to serve them – helping them live safely and independently in their homes for as long as possible.

“At HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN), we’re committed to providing exceptional home care to Veterans and their families,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at HCAN. “It’s truly a privilege to serve those who gave so much for our country.”

Types of Services Offered to Veterans

The VA offers several home care programs to assist veterans with various needs. These include Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care, Skilled Home Health Care, Home Based Primary Care, Veteran-Directed Care, Aid and Attendance Benefits and respite care. For those who qualify, these programs can offer home and community based services for Veterans and their caregivers, including assistance with activities of daily living:

Light housekeeping

Our professional caregivers help with laundry, vacuuming and other household chores.

Meal preparation

Healthy, well-balanced meals are essential for healthy aging. A caregiver can assist with grocery shopping, meal prep, kitchen clean-up and more. 

Mobility assistance

Our caregivers are trained to help seniors safely get in and out of chairs, bed and the bathtub/shower. They will also look for and remove potential tripping hazards that could lead to falls.

Medication management

Even under the best of circumstances, managing multiple medications can be challenging. A caregiver can help ensure the right meds are taken at the right time. 

Transportation

For seniors who no longer drive, our caregivers can take them to appointments, church, shopping and even lunch with friends. 

Personal care

Bathing, toileting and dressing can become more challenging as we age. Our compassionate caregivers can help with these types of personal care tasks – giving everyone much needed peace of mind. 

Companionship

From watching old movies to playing board games, our caregivers love keeping our clients active and engaged. 

Dementia. 

The familiar surroundings of home provide the best environment for seniors who have Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Our highly-trained caregivers understand the disease and know how to deal with many of its challenges, so our clients can remain in their homes for as long as possible.

Benefits of In-Home Care for Seniors

Home care offers veterans personalized support in the comfort of their homes, enhancing their quality of life while promoting independence and dignity. It serves as a cost-effective alternative to nursing facilities and allows for comprehensive medical care, enabling veterans to manage their health effectively.

“Oftentimes, home care is a cost-effective alternative to other long-term care options,” Goetz said. “Of course, the biggest benefit is that seniors are able to continue living safely in their own home, surrounded by decades of memories and the personal belongings they cherish.”

How to Qualify for Home Care

All enrolled Veterans are eligible for Homemaker Home Health Aide Care IF they are eligible for community care and meet the clinical criteria for the service. A copay for Homemaker and Home Health Aide services may be charged based on your VA service-connected disability status.

You can use a Veteran Decision Aid for Care at Home or in the Community to help you figure out what home care services or long term care services may best meet your needs.

There’s also a Caregiver Self-Assessment. It can help your family caregiver identify their own needs, how much support they can offer to you and where the gaps are. Having all this information, along with the involvement of your VA care team and social worker, will help you reach short-term and long-term care decisions.

Resources for Veterans and Their Caregivers

If you would like more information about home care services for veterans offered through the VA, visit Veterans Affairs, call the VA’s Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274 or contact your Caregiver Support Coordinator (CSC).