One of the first questions seniors and family members have following a dementia diagnosis is, “How will we pay for this?” Most private health insurances don’t cover certain aspects of memory care, nor does Medicare or Medicaid. However, if you or your loved one qualifies for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), there are a variety of programs and services that are designed to assist Veterans with dementia as their care needs increase.
“The VA provides many, many great benefits for Veterans with memory loss, and we’ve become pretty adept at helping navigate and manage the red tape for our residents,” says Addie Ricci, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk, located in Norwalk, CT. “Many Veterans may not be aware of the programs and services offered for this specific type of care, so we do our best to inform and educate individuals so they are able to take advantage of the benefits they’ve earned.”
Depending on a Veteran’s needs, they may qualify for various types of assistance such as home health aide services, respite care, adult day healthcare, outpatient clinics and inpatient hospital stays, palliative care or hospice care. These services also include caregiver support, which is an essential part of memory care.
Here are some VA benefits that can provide assistance to individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
Homemaker Home Health Aide Care
A Homemaker or Home Health Aide is a trained individual who comes to the Veteran’s home and provides assistance with daily activities (ADLs). These aides are not nurses, but they are supervised by a registered nurse, who can help assess the daily living needs of the Veteran. This can be an excellent service for caregivers who need extra assistance in order to ensure their loved one receives the best possible care. It allows caregivers to take a break for themselves or do other important tasks, like going to work.
Respite Care
Unlike Homemaker Home Health Aide Care, respite care is a program that provides short-term care when family caregivers need to go on a trip, run errands or perform other tasks. This type of care can help lower stress in caregivers, provide a break for both the caregiver and the individual, while making sure the Veteran receives the highest quality care from trained dementia care experts.
Adult Day Healthcare
This program is a day program where individuals with dementia can go for social activities, companionship, recreation and peer support. Adult Day Healthcare is a program Veterans can go to during the day for social activities, peer support, companionship and recreation. Adult day healthcare can also provide certain health services, such as assistance from therapists, social workers, nurses and other medical professionals.
Aid & Attendance Benefit for Memory Care
While VA benefits don’t specifically cover the cost of living in a memory care assisted living community, there is a benefit that can help reduce the cost of care and provide financial assistance. The Aid & Attendance benefit provides additional funding per month to care for Veterans and surviving spouses who require assisted living care and services. The funds are in addition to the Veteran’s existing pension, and the funds can be used for assisted living care, in-home care, private-pay nursing homes and board and care. Single or married Veterans and surviving spouses are eligible for different benefit amounts – ranging from $1,230 to $2,266 per month.
Bridges® by EPOCH partners with Elder Resource Benefits Consulting (ERBC) to assist eligible Veterans in maximizing benefits that can help offset the costs of memory care assisted living. ERBC can walk families through qualifications, eligibility and how the VA Aid & Attendance benefits work with other programs. Based in Massachusetts, ERBC provides analysis related to the VA’s Basic Pension with Aid & Attendance. ERBC is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs and is not a Veterans Services Organization.
“While many aspects of the VA benefits can be used to help someone with dementia and their caregivers live a higher quality of life, the Aid & Attendance benefit is a wonderful resource that few Veterans know about,” says Addie. “When a Veteran or surviving spouse is welcomed into our community, we work diligently to ensure that he or she is receiving the funding necessary to help pay for their stay at our community. It is our honor to serve our Veterans as they once served our country, and we pledge to do everything we can to help you and your family navigate the various benefits and make memory care assisted living as affordable and convenient as possible throughout the dementia care journey.”
Expert, Life-Enriching Memory Care
Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community promotes a wellness-focused lifestyle that emphasizes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized, ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents.
Inspiring Programs for All Stages
Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk’s services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident, while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide personalized attention and programming for residents in every stage of memory loss.
Purposeful Community Design
Within a beautiful residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides everything residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel at home.