Honoring Veterans With Better Homecare Access

Much of this year has been dedicated to celebrating America’s 250th anniversary—and at the highest level, veterans have shaped the nation’s history and heritage by securing independence, defending democratic ideals and building the country’s civic foundation.

Veterans have historically filled crucial leadership roles, including 31 of the 45 presidents of the United States, hundreds of members of Congress and countless corporate CEOs and community organizers. And veterans trained in cutting-edge military technologies often transition into civilian sectors where they accelerate advancements in science, engineering and, of course, healthcare.

Veterans embody duty, honor and selfless service. Their willingness to sacrifice personal safety for the collective good serves as a standard for civic responsibility. Since 1973, the U.S. military has been a fully volunteer force. This means modern veterans choose to step forward and serve, creating a unique heritage of deliberate service and commitment to the nation.

Now it’s our time to serve those who served.

Helping Veterans Get the Help They Deserve

Four years ago, our organization launched an education and outreach campaign to raise veteran awareness about the homecare benefits for which they may be eligible. Nearly half of America’s 18 million veterans are over 65, but only half of those are enrolled with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Of those 9 million enrolled veterans, fewer than 3% have tapped into their homecare benefits. Because many servicemen and women leave the military and pursue civilian careers, they may forget about their VA benefits or be unaware of the services they can access through the VA.

As veterans age and prefer to stay in their own homes, navigating their care requires an understanding of the unique clinical and psychological needs of former service members.

Physical changes might not just be standard aging. Decades-old combat injuries, joint strain from heavy gear or chemical exposure can compound into severe arthritis, neuropathy or limited mobility later in life. Many veterans hold tightly to military values of self-reliance, duty and maintaining a high standard of appearance. Because of this, they may hide physical struggles or poor hygiene out of a sense of shame rather than ask for help with personal tasks like bathing.

As veterans age or experience cognitive decline, long-dormant trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can resurface. Changes in routine or the introduction of unfamiliar caregivers can trigger anxiety or hypervigilance.

Educating Vets & Their Families

In addition to understanding these nuances, agencies can help veterans and their families learn about the programs available and assist in navigating the process of determining eligibility. The programs include:

• Homemaker/Home Health Aide/Respite: Trained aides visit the home to assist with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming and meal preparation. This program is also designed to relieve caregiver burnout.
• Veteran Directed Care: This program gives the veteran a set budget, allowing them to manage their own care plan and hire their own helpers—which, in some states, can include family members
• Aid and Attendance Pension: Separate from standard healthcare, this is an increased monthly pension amount added to a VA pension for eligible veterans who are permanently housebound or require the regular aid of another person to perform daily tasks.

This year, as our country collectively celebrates a significant milestone for our nation, remember the role our veterans have played in our history and the responsibility we have to care for them now and in the future.