We recently became the Lake County Provider for Veterans Care. We would like to share some information with you.
Your loved one may be eligible for home care through the Homemaker and Home Health Aid or Veteran Directed Care program. Home care provides non-medical support, while home health care delivers medical care.
The Homemaker and Home Health Aide program provides a skilled aide to assist the veteran with daily activities, such as grocery shopping or personal grooming. Veterans may continue receiving services if they need assistance with daily tasks.
This program benefits veterans by allowing them to live at home longer and reducing the stress and physical strain on family caregivers.
The Veteran Directed Care program provides veterans with a fixed budget for services they or their representatives choose. These services should help the veteran with personal care activities, such as preparing food or showering.
Some veterans may prefer the flexibility of this program to the strictness of the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program. A VA counselor usually assists the veteran and their family in creating a spending plan and can also help the veteran and their family hire service workers.
The amount the VA pays for in-home care services for veterans can vary significantly, depending on the specific program, eligibility status, disability status, copays, and other factors. If you require 24/7 in-home care, the costs may be higher than those needing fewer hours of care.
If you have a VA case manager or VA social worker, they can assist you in understanding your eligibility and the amount that the VA can cover based on your individual needs. If you do not have a case manager or social worker, contact the VA online or by phone 24/7 at 800-698-2411 for additional assistance.
To be eligible for veteran home care programs, veterans must be enrolled in VA health care, meet the clinical criteria for each program, be eligible for community care, and live in an area where the service is available. There may be a copay for services through the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program. Caregivers can learn more by calling the VA’s Caregiver Support Line or contacting their Caregiver Support Coordinator. In-home care is a good alternative if your loved one refuses to move to assisted living.
Written by: Marissa Newman
4/16/2024