What is the VA?
The VA stands for "The Department of Veterans' Affairs." President Lincoln established the VA saying, "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" It is the agency that is tasked with the goal of providing education, prosperity, and long-term healthcare to America's veterans as they return from war.
The VA provides valuable resources to young soldiers returning from active duty. As time goes by, those benefits grow and increase. By the time a veteran or their spouse is retired, there are a number of key benefits that can improve their overall quality of life.
What are the Key VA Benefits Every Senior Needs to Know About?
Every veteran should be familiar with the healthcare programs offered by the VA. Through VA clinics and certified providers, former soldiers are entitled to routine checkups and consults with specialists, as well as durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and prosthetics. VA healthcare becomes a critical service for geriatric service members as they age and their medical issues gain complexity.
The VA also helps secure life insurance for former service members. VA life insurance policies help to protect a service member's spouse, children, and posterity. Disability benefits are another essential service that the VA provides to former soldiers. Disability benefits provide tax-free, monthly payments to service members well into retirement.
Burial costs are another key benefit. Funerals and memorials can be costly. The VA can help to cover your loved one's burial costs as long as they are interred in a VA cemetery.
For eligible service members and their families, a VA pension is their lifeblood. Service men and women who meet the disability and service requirements receive a monthly pension which starts at age sixty-five. This pension goes a long way toward covering essential costs related to care.
Geriatric care and extended care services are perhaps the most important benefit available to senior service members sixty-five and older. If your loved one suffers from a chronic condition, this subset of VA healthcare can help pay for an in-home caregiver, allowing your loved one to age comfortably in place.
Serving Those Who Served
It is a privilege to serve those who have served our country. Senior Helpers of Crown Point are experts when it comes to VA benefits. We can help point you and your loved one in the right direction regarding programs and benefits that you might be eligible for. Please contact us today to discuss our many home caregiver options.
