OCTOBER 2015 Aging in Place


The Well-Kept Secret for Veterans By Karen Cifala


It seems fi tting to mention Veterans Benefi ts in this month’s column for seniors because at The Gathering, being held at the Clarke County fairgrounds the last weekend in October, they will be honoring all Military


Veterans and


Uniformed Services Personnel with special recognition at the beginning of the Harvest Dance on Saturday October 31. Bridging the gap between


funds and expenses can be harder for some of our aging veterans. Many of our Veterans are not aware of the benefi ts available for them as they age. These benefi ts can cover paid caregivers and family members who are caregivers; however spouses are not eligible


to


receive payments. This might be the help our senior veterans need to help them age in place with dignity. This “Improved Pension” benefi t is underused by the nation’s veterans, and is largely unknown. This pension benefi t IS NOT dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. Veterans, who are eligible for


a VA pension, may be eligible for additional monetary payments if they require the aid and attendance of another person or are housebound. The Aid & Attendance and Housebound Pension program is a benefi t program for veterans if they initially meet the following requirements: • Require the aid of another person to perform personal functions such as bathing, feed- ing etc.


• Your disability requires that you remain in bed or that you are bedridden


• You are a patient in a nurs- ing home due to mental illness or physical incapacity


• Your eyesight is limited The Aid and Attendance


Benefi t is the third tier of the VA’s Improved Pension, and each tier (Basic and Housebound


are the other


tiers) has its own benefi ts and qualifi cations. This Pension is not new and has been around for 61 years.


Don’t be dissuaded from


applying because every veteran 65 and older is automatically considered disable by the VA. If you are confi ned to your immediate premises because of permanent disability,


this


increased monthly pension may be added to your regular monthly pension. To apply for this benefi t, write to the VA regional offi ce where you fi led a claim for pension benefi ts. If you don’t know the offi ce then you may fi le with any VA regional offi ce. According to the VA, it is forbidden to charge a veteran for fi lling out these application forms. The forms are easy enough for everyone to fi ll out on their own. If a veteran qualifi es, they may also benefi t from: • basic pension, adapting housing grants, mortgage life insurance, disability compen- sation if post-service disabil- ity related, survivors pension, healthcare, home loans, burial assistance including a head- stone or grave marker, death benefi ts including a fl ag drape over the casket – state veter- ans home programs – free tax preparation


• Dementia care has not been ignored by the Veterans Ad- ministration. With our aging population, The VA has recog- nized that the number of peo- ple diagnosed with dementia continues to grow.


There are specifi c programs


designed to address these issues such as: • Geriatric research


• Clinical centers


• Geriatric Evaluation Units (in hospitals serving veterans)


• Special care units for veter- ans including memory care and long term care.


• Respite care for caregivers. • Caregiver support groups. • Educational materials.


• Linking veterans to non-VA services.


Don’t’ give up too easily on applying for these benefi ts. If you have been turned down once before, try again, you might be able to pursue other avenues. You can also appeal the decision. Gather as much information as you can about the senior’s military service (service dates,


discharge


papers etc.) before applying. The investment in time spent to seek out and apply for some of these benefi ts might be the key to relieving some fi nancial stress and strain that your senior veteran is experiencing.


Resources


Veteran Aid website: www.veteranaid.org


US Department of Veterans Affairs - Help with applying


Karen Cifala is a SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) Realtor for REMAX Roots in Berryville, VA. She welcomes receiving feedback and enjoys working with families and seniors. You can call her anytime at 303-817- 9374 or email her at kcifala@ gmail.com.


VAOBSERVER.COM


Age is an issue of mind over matter...if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. Mark Twain


5


Dick Adams & Hilda Baker


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