Every 18 months or so, we reinspect the Veteran First Communities that team with us in order to educate veteran families about the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit. Each community must pass a rigorous 20 point inspection to be sure that residents there can become eligible to apply for the full amount of the VA's Aid and Attendance Benefit for Homebound Veterans.
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When we first teamed up with the American Association of Wartime Veterans to bring the VA benefit to thousands of seniors in the St. Louis area, we were asked to evaluate on a case by case basis, most of the independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing communities in the four counties we serve. Our job was to find places that not only fit the requirements for VA benefits, but also met high standards in regards to staff evaluations for care and commitment to residents.
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Finding the right type of care for mom or dad may be one of the greatest challenges that the children of the “Greatest Generation” face today. We’ve worked to make that task a bit easier by addressing key concerns in advance.
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For the worried children of seniors, this question arises if a parent lives long enough. I’ve encountered the situation twice in my own family, with my mother and aunt, and even with my wife’s family. Almost every time, seniors faced with the option to move into a retirement community, react with hesitation or even hostile refusal. But at some point, living at home is no longer a good option.
The major issues involved in the decision are safety, comfort, finances and social issues. Each of the directors at any of our Veteran First Communities will be happy to discuss these options with you in order to come to a workable solution. You probably already know that if you are reading this page, its likely time for a big change.
SAFETY: This is the most important issue. When we first began this work, we were helping the son of a veteran look for assisted living after his dad had ended his first round of chemotherapy for stomach cancer. Dad had spent the last 20 years living comfortably in retirement, taking care of his blind wife. And he refused to consider leaving the house.
He had enough money, given his pension and social security check, his $170,000 or so in assets and the value of his house that would be sold. Add to that the tax free income of almost $24,000 per year from the Veteran’s Aid and Attendance benefit (2011 amount) and he and his wife could have lived comfortably for many years and left a fine legacy for the grandchildren.
Unfortunately, while his son was trying to convince him to even consider living in a retirement community, dad suffered a fall as he tried to help mom out of her chair. He fell backwards, hit his head and suffered a 1X2 inch brain bleed. For the next week he was getting blood and platelets in a furious attempt to save his life. By the time this episode was over, mom and dad were living in a Medicaid facility, their life savings had been depleted and the accommodations they were faced with for the rest of their lives was “dreary” to say the least.
COMFORT: One day, get up in the morning and don’t drink anything. Not coffee, juice or water. See how long you can go. For many seniors, the simple act of getting out of a chair may be so exhausting that they simply stay there for a few hours until they have the strength.More on When is Home Care Not Enough?
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Finding the 
right type of care for mom or dad may be one of the greatest challenges that the children of the “Greatest Generation” face today. We’ve worked to make that task a bit easier by addressing key concerns in advance.
More on Finding the best in Assisted Living is a challenge for Veteran's Families
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