Assisted Living Services to Ensure Veterans Receive Eldercare Benefits

CHESHIRE, Connecticut—Assisted Living Services, a non-medical homecare agency based in Connecticut, plans to assist military service personnel and their families access the maximum benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) throughout November in honor of Veteran’s Day and National Caregivers Month.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 8.1 million retired veterans over the age of 65 in the United States. The company said that many of these veterans, having survived wars, are often finding they need help staying safe within their own homes as they age.

“Along with the work and stress of ensuring that aging loved ones are receiving the best possible care at home, families are also faced with the challenge of figuring out how to pay for quality, in-home senior care,” said Mario D’Aquila, chief operations officer of Assisted Living Services. “Many veteran families come to us not knowing that they qualify for VA coverage, but after some education and research on our part, they discover that they do—which offers much financial relief.”

D’Aquila said that VA offers two programs that can help cover the cost of homecare for veterans and their spouses, which the company aims to help veterans access:

• Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Program: This program seeks to provide a monthly stipend to veterans and their spouses who meet specific income, asset and service criteria. The funds can be used for non-medical homecare services and intends to help veterans access care without using personal savings.
• VA-Sponsored Homecare: This program is available for veterans who may have been injured during service or meet certain income qualifications. Unlike the Aid and Attendance Pension, where the funds go to the veteran, VA-sponsored homecare allows agencies to bill the VA directly for services. This can result in higher reimbursement rates and aims to allow for more comprehensive care.

D’Aquila said many veterans qualify for The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), a state-specific Medicaid waiver program administered by the Department of Social Services, which intends to assist seniors with limited income and assets who require homecare services. To qualify, individuals must meet certain criteria based on income, assets, age and health conditions. CHCPE covers a wide range of services, including personal care assistance, homemaking, 24-hour live-in care, nursing services and programs like Meals on Wheels or adult daycare.

“Though Medicare does not typically cover non-medical home care, some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited benefits for in-home services,” D’Aquila said. “This option is still in its infancy and not widely available, but it’s worth asking about if you or your loved one are on a Medicare Advantage plan.”

The company said families may choose to use long-term care insurance to offset the cost of homecare services. Long-term care insurance is designed to cover expenses related to non-medical homecare, assisted living and other senior care services. D’Aquila said some seniors discover they have policies through former employers that they may have forgotten about, and many of these older policies offer an unlimited benefit, which could allow them to cover services indefinitely. Additionally, D’Aquila recommended private, direct billing to the senior as the most straightforward way to pay for in-home care services. 

“At our agency, we become partners with the families in helping them navigate the various funding options, including conducting research and identifying any means possible to help them cover the costs of eldercare,” D’Aquila said. “Understanding the various resources available to families, even if they qualify for government or other benefits down the road, can make a significant difference in the quality and affordability of care that their loved one receives.”