Insights from The Orlando Senior Help Desk: Care for Veterans

If you or your spouse served in the military, you may be eligible for aid that can be applied to the cost of care services. The VA Aid and Attendance pension was established to provide financial benefits outside the traditional VA residential care system. It specifically helps veterans and their spouses finance daily personal care services if needed. These services include Personal grooming assistance, medication assistance, help transitioning into bed and incontinence management. These are referred to as ADL’s- Activities of Daily Living.

Many veterans and spouses are unaware of this program. The Aid and Attendance pension allows you to select your care provider and services that best meet your needs. The Aid and Attendance pension is also tax-free and does not qualify as taxable income.

In order to qualify, you or your spouse must have an honorable discharge from military service after serving at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day served during a war-time period, a medical diagnosis requiring daily assistance with two or more personal care services, a monthly income that meets the eligibility threshold, limited and liquid assets. The application process for the Aid and Attendance pension takes time and requires thorough documentation, so it’s important to apply as soon as possible. The application is complicated and many people hire a care management company or attorney to fill out the paperwork.

Once eligibility is confirmed, benefits are paid retroactively. If an applicant is 90 years old or older, the application can be expedited. To learn more about the Aid and Attendance pension and find out if you qualify, call a Veterans Affairs specialist at 1-800-827-1000.

While most seniors face major adjustments when transitioning to an elder-care community, Jewish seniors face additional challenges. Not only do they lose their homes, and many of their friends, but they also lose ties to their cultural heritage. This is where the Jewish Pavilion, a 501c3 non-profit, steps in. The Pavilion serves as a resource that provides room visits, festive holiday celebrations, and more to 450 Jewish residents in fifty facilities for seniors. The Jewish Pavilion promotes inclusion, and thousands of seniors of all faiths are welcomed into our programs. http://www.JewishPavilion.org

The Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) helps thousands of callers navigate their way through the daunting senior maze, alleviating caregiver stress while giving advice on all types of elder issues. http://www.OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org