February 22, 2017
It’s difficult to see seniors who have trouble taking care of themselves independently at home, especially those who have sacrificed so much to serve our country. In home care services can help improve the quality of life for veterans struggling with their own care, but paying for that care isn’t always easy. Many veterans, particularly those who are disabled, are limited in their income and may barely make ends meet, even with their pensions, disability payments, and basic income.
If you have an older loved one who is a veteran or know one in your community, there are veteran assistance programs administered through the Veterans Administration (VA) that can help provide them and their spouse with benefits, like VeteranCare. As a veteran-friendly home health care provider, we want to provide the information veterans and their spouses need to receive the free hours of quality in home care through a veterans assistance program they deserve.
Qualifying for Veterans Assistance Programs
Veterans assistance programs like VeteranCare allow veterans and their spouses to get in home care services with no out-of-pocket cost. To receive benefits, the veteran must qualify by meeting the following criteria:
- 65 years or older, or on social security disability
- Served at least 90 days of active duty with one day during a war period (combat is not required)
- Honorable discharge
- Meet government-set financial qualifications
- Funds requested to be used exclusively for healthcare needs for the veteran or spouse
Those who meet these requirements and qualify can start receiving care quickly. The streamlined process the VeteranCare program uses cuts down both approval and waiting time from one year to as little as one month in most cases. Typically, veterans and their spouses can start getting the care they need in about 30 days. If you have questions about the qualifications, contact us.
Starting Home Health Care Services for Veterans
As a part of the VeteranCare network, Accessible Home Health Care can provide in home care services to veterans and their spouse for no out-of-pocket cost once they are approved to receive benefits through the program. We will work with the veteran, their spouse, and their family members to create an individualized care plan. Our team of trained and certified caregivers can provide the following in home care services:
- Light housekeeping and laundry service
- Assistance with daily activities including bathing, dressing, and incontinence care
- Dietary counseling and meal preparation
- Medication administration
- 24/7 care and peace of mind
- Transportation to medical appointments and events
Going Above and Beyond: One Veteran’s Home Health Care Journey
We understand that providing in home care is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Sometimes, a little extra compassion and outreach are needed to make a positive impact in the lives of veterans. Randy Paramore, the owner of Accessible Home Health Care of Houston, went out of his way to help the first VA patient his team received and continues to provide in home care for veterans.
The veteran in Randy’s care was 87 years old and lived alone in a home he’d built years ago. At first, the care Randy’s team provided through over the phone check-ins and once a week in-person visits, but it quickly became apparent to Randy that his patient needed more assistance.
The realization dawned on Randy after he asked to use the restroom during one of his visits. The house, much less the bathroom, was not handicap accessible, and that was a huge problem for the veteran. Being a large man in a motorized wheelchair who had only the use of one arm, it was difficult for the patient to administer daily shots of insulin and take care of his daily hygiene on his own.
When Randy asked the veteran how long it had been since he’d gotten into his bathtub to bathe or shower, his patient replied, “It has to be at least three years ago, as I have not been able to get through the door since I am now wheelchair bound.” Stunned, Randy knew he had to do something. Together with his wife and son-in-law, Randy renovated the bathroom to be handicap accessible in ten days, complete with a 5-foot wide entryway, handicap shower drain, and fold down shower chair. For the first time in three years, the veteran was able to tend to his hygiene and be cared for as he deserved.
This is an extraordinary story of good Samaritans coming together to help a veteran in need. We are so proud of Randy and his team for providing such compassion. While Accessible Home Health Care doesn’t provide home renovations to clients, we can offer in home care for veterans and their spouses who qualify through the VeteranCare program at no out-of-pocket cost. Contact us today to start your home health care journey to independence with us.
