A few years back with some local Veterans

For many elderly veterans the rising cost of assisted living or home health care can be staggering, causing their life savings to be diminished paying for health care as they age. There are VA benefits that can help you get the care you need without using up your retirement savings.

Geriatric Patient Aligned Care Team (GeriPACT)

The VA launched GeriPACT program to provide healthcare for Veterans with more than one chronic disease and with declining mental and physical capabilities. GeriPACT integrates traditional healthcare services with community-based services. The goal is to provide Veterans with these challenges with as much independence and quality of life as possible.  GeriPACT teams include primary care providers and multi-disciplinary teams who have expertise with the special healthcare needs of these Veterans.

How does this program support veterans?

• Helps integrate and coordinate health care services provided by VA with community-based services.
• Strives to optimize independence and quality of life.
• Includes healthcare team members who possess expertise and advanced training to assess and address the illnesses and issues of vulnerable and elderly Veterans.
• Serves Veterans who require a level of care that is not generally available to them through a regular patient aligned care team (PACT) – for example, they might have complex care needs or require care management.

VA benefits provide for a range of long-term services including residential care, adult day health care, geriatric evaluation, as well as respite care.  Nursing home benefits may be provided if specific qualifications are met. The following long-term care services are available to all enrolled Veterans.

Respite Care

Provides supportive care to veterans on a short-term basis giving the caregiver a planned period of relief from the physical and emotional demands associated with providing care. Respite care can be provided in the home or other non-institutional settings

Home Care

Skilled home care is provided by VA and contract agencies to veterans that are homebound with chronic diseases and includes nursing, physical/occupational therapy and social services.

Hospice/Palliative Care

This program offers services to veterans in the late stages of the chronic disease process.  Services also include respite care as well as bereavement counseling to family members.  There are no co-pays for hospice care provided in any setting.

Eligibility Requirements

Pension benefits are needs-based and your “countable” family income must fall below the yearly limit set by law. Veterans must have at least 90 days of active duty, including one day during a wartime period. If the active duty occurred after September 7, 1980, you must have served at least 24 months or the full period that you were called up (with some exceptions). You must also be:

• Age 65 or older with limited or no income, OR
• Totally and permanently disabled, OR
• A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR
• Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, OR
• Receiving Supplemental Security Income

The Veteran must have met the service requirements above for surviving spouses and children applying for the Survivors Pension.

Caregiver Programs and Services:

VA has long supported family caregivers as vital partners in providing care worthy of the sacrifices of America’s Veterans and Service members. Each VA medical center has a Caregiver Support Program coordinated by a Caregiver Support Coordinator (CSC). The CSC coordinates caregiver activities and serves as a resource expert for Veterans, their families, and VA providers.

My father-in-law Ed Cutler served in the Navy at Pearl Harbor after the attacks.

The social work department at your nearest VA medical facility can provide specific information about services or other assistance available through VA and your local community.  Visit http://www.va.gov/ for more information.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website