Home care for veterans requires family caregivers to be strong and flexible. Many veterans live at home and need assistance around the house and providing this daily support can often drain family caregivers emotionally as they try to take on all the tasks their loved one needs.

That is where an experienced caregiver for veterans can help. FirstLight veteran care and personalized services can assist with everything from household duties such as cooking, laundry and running errands to individual needs like bathing, personal hygiene and mobility assistance.

Understanding the Needs of Veterans

At FirstLight Home Care, it is our privilege to provide veteran home care services to support our nation’s heroes and their families. We believe in service with honor. From members of the Greatest Generation who are managing the challenges of aging, to combat veterans living with injuries sustained in the field, we do more to support veterans and their families when they need it most.

Home care services assist veterans in a variety of ways. These offerings can include emotional support for veterans and household duties like cooking, cleaning, laundry and non-medical personal care. Experienced caregivers for veterans can also assist those of any age living with injuries sustained in the field and active-duty families that need help when loved ones are deployed.

Personalized care for veterans can be applied in various settings:

• Veterans can receive companion care or personal care in their own homes.
• Care can be provided in independent and assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities.
• Respite care can be offered to family caregivers so that they may take time off from the responsibility of caring for their loved one.

There are benefits that could help pay for specialized veteran home care. VA Aid and Attendance benefits or Housebound allowances provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified veterans and survivors.

Individuals may be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit if they get a VA pension and meet at least one of the following requirements:

• They need another person to help them perform daily activities, like bathing, eating and dressing, or
• They must stay in bed—or spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness, or
• They are a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability, or
• Their eyesight is limited.

Veterans may be eligible for Housebound benefits if they get a VA pension and spend most of their time in their home because of a permanent disability. However, individuals cannot get Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time.

If you are caring for a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, make sure that your loved one is receiving the care and benefits they deserve, and that you—as the family caregiver—are getting the respite care you need. Your regional VA benefit office can be a great resource if you have questions about the benefits that are available to you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Veteran Home Care Services

• What types of services are covered under veteran home care?
  • FirstLight veteran care services can include non-medical companion and personal care that covers everything from companionship and household duties like cooking, cleaning and laundry to individual needs such as bathing, hygiene and mobility assistance. Select FirstLight Home Care offices also provide skilled nursing care.

• How does FirstLight veteran care coordinate with the VA and other organizations?
  • The Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension is a benefit that helps reduce the cost of care for older veterans and their surviving spouses. Veterans and their spouses who require the regular aid and attendance of another person (for activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, medication monitoring and other in-home care) may qualify for this special benefit in addition to a monthly pension. To learn more about Aid and Attendance benefits, military service qualifications and how you may benefit from these services, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

• How can veterans and their families request FirstLight’s services?
  • Please contact your local FirstLight office to discuss which services are available and best for you.

Resources for Veterans and Their Family Caregivers

There are a number of resources for military veterans and the family members who care for them. We’ve collected several helpful links for you here, from assistance with benefits to family caregiver support.

VA Caregiver Support Program

The VA offers support to family caregivers who play an important role in caring for a Veteran at home and in the community. Get general caregiver support, tips and tools and connect with others here.

Additionally, each VA Medical Center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator available to assist with enrolling in these programs. For help, contact your local Caregiver Support Coordinator using the Caregiver Support Coordinator search tool.

Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes

There are more than 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States. Hidden Heroes brings attention to the untold stories of military caregivers.

The goals of the organization are to:

• Raise awareness of the many challenges military caregivers face every day
• Inspire individuals, businesses, communities, and civic, faith and government leaders to support military caregivers in their communities.
• Establish a national registry, encouraging military caregivers to register at HiddenHeroes.org to better connect them to helpful resources and support.

Find more helpful resources here.

Veteran’s Guide to Saving on Housing Costs

If you’re a veteran of the U.S. military, there are many ways that you can save on housing costs. From mortgage rates and home improvement to accessibility grants and discounted home insurance, there are various options to explore when it comes to buying a house.

This article provides tips on how to save with a VA loan, as well as other options for saving on a home loan. It also discusses available military discounts and exclusive options for home insurance and how to save after you move in. Learn how to save on housing costs.

AARP’s List of Resources

AARP has put together an extensive list of resources for veterans—from careers and finance to community to transportation. Check out these useful resources that many veterans might not know about.

Veteran Home Care Services – FirstLight Home Care

FirstLight Home Care’s quality veteran care aims to enhance the lives of veterans by providing dedicated, compassionate and personalized care. We are committed to improving the lives of veterans and their families by prioritizing their comfort, well-being and safety. Learn more about our veteran home care services or request a personalized price quote from your local office.

What is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care helps patients “live as independently and safely as possible when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own,” according to the National Institute on Aging. Typically, long-term in-home care is provided by unpaid family and friends. This type of care can be anything from light housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation to bathing, grooming and eating assistance. HealthCare.gov states that Medicare and other health insurance plans do not provide long-term care insurance because most long-term care isn’t considered medical care. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management provides long-term care insurance under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).

Why Is Long-Term Care Important?

 For many seniors who wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible—known as “aging in place”—long-term care is essential for ensuring their safety and comfort. For example, if your loved one has difficulty getting up from a chair without assistance or relies on help with basic grooming tasks like bathing and brushing teeth, they could greatly benefit from having someone come into the home to provide such services on a regular basis. This type of personalized attention helps seniors maintain their independence while also providing peace of mind to family members who may not be able to visit as often as they would like.

Who Needs Long-Term Care

There are many reasons why someone may need caregivers. LongTermCare.gov says that “about 60% of adults will need assistance with things like getting dressed, driving to appointments, or making meals.”

Age

The older a person gets, the more likely they are to need help.

Gender

Women live longer than men, so they have a greater chance of needing care.

Relationship status

People who are single are more likely than married people to need help from friends, family or a hired professional.

Lifestyle

Unhealthy habits, lack of exercise and poor diet can cause someone to need help sooner.

Health

People with a family history of certain health conditions may have an increased need for long-term care.

FirstLight Home Care’s Long-Term Care Services

FirstLight Home Care provides long-term care services to those who need it. Whether or not your loved one has long-term care insurance, we are here to help.

We provide care for those needing extra support with basic activities of daily living (ADLs), such as:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Transferring (getting in and out of bed or chair)
• Eating
• Continence

We also provide services for instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), including:

• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Transportation
• Laundry
• Managing Finances

FirstLight Home Care – Long-Term In-Home Care

At FirstLight Home Care, we offer both short-term and long-term solutions tailored specifically to each senior’s unique needs and preferences. Our compassionate caregivers provide everything from respite care and companionship to personal care services—all within the comfort and security of your loved one’s home. If you think your loved one could benefit from our long-term care solutions, please don’t hesitate to reach out today! Our team is always here to help answer any questions you might have about our services or how we can best support your family’s needs going forward.

Today and every day, we honor you for your service.

Happy Veterans Day!

Get In-Home Support

Whether you need elderly companion care services, 24-hour home care, or in-home caregiver services for a loved one who is recovering from surgery, FirstLight Home Care can help. We give you the support you need to provide the best care for your loved one. We’re also here to support veterans and their families when they need it most. FirstLight is proud to offer home care veteran services to the nation’s heroes.

Join Our Team

If caring is your calling and you’re interested in a career with FirstLight Home Care, find open positions with one of our local offices.

We invite you to share in the comments below any additional resources for veterans you have found to be helpful to your family.

VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowance

VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you or your loved one needs assistance with daily activities, or if you’re housebound, find out if you are eligible and learn how to apply for these benefits.

Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance

VA Caregiver Support Program

The VA offers support to family caregivers who play an important role in caring for a Veteran at home and in the community. Get general caregiver support, tips and tools and connect with others here.

Additionally, each VA Medical Center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator available to assist with enrolling in these programs. For help, contact your local Caregiver Support Coordinator using the Caregiver Support Coordinator search tool.

Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes

There are more than 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States. Hidden Heroes brings attention to the untold stories of military caregivers.

The goals of the organization are to:

• Raise awareness of the many challenges military caregivers face every day
• Inspire individuals, businesses, communities, and civic, faith and government leaders to support military caregivers in their communities
• Establish a national registry, encouraging military caregivers to register at HiddenHeroes.org to better connect them to helpful resources and support

Find more helpful resources here.

Veteran’s Guide to Saving on Housing Costs

If you’re a veteran of the U.S. military, there are many ways in 2021 that you can save on housing costs. From mortgage rates and home improvement to accessibility grants and discounted home insurance, there are various options to explore when it comes to buying a house.

This article provides tips on how to save with a VA loan, as well as other options for saving on a home loan. It also discusses available military discounts and exclusive options for home insurance and how to save after you move in.

Learn how to save on housing costs.

AARP’s List of Resources

AARP has put together an extensive list of resources for veterans – from careers and finance to community to transportation.

Check out these useful resources that many veterans might not know about.

Earlier this year, Veterans Affairs officials agreed to a set of 12 recommendations that are meant to assist family caregivers of veterans with things like including caregivers in medical check-ups, creating new training and support services and expanding research into their challenges. Read more about these recommendations.

Because of the work we do in non-medical home care and the services we provide to military caregivers and their loved ones, a couple of these recommendations stood out to us:

• Recommendation 6: Conduct a thorough analysis of the need for respite care resources and their availability.
• Recommendation 8: Improve training for caregivers and include them in veterans’ medical planning from day one.

At FirstLight Home Care, we are proud to have a CEO who is so focused on caring for our military veterans and their families. Jeff Bevis is continuing an ongoing dialog to ensure that resources and assistance in respite care, as well as family caregiver training, are available for our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers.

Jeff is a leader in VetFran and currently serves as committee chairman of the International Franchise Association (IFA) Education Foundation VetFran Committee, which helps provide access and opportunities in both employment and franchising for veterans and their spouses. Jeff is also a key contributor in discussions with The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, an organization that works with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and promote their well-being.

What we can do as a home care company is to offer respite care that gives family members and other loved ones who are primary caregivers a break from the demands of their own caregiving responsibilities. We can also work with families to help them navigate some of the complexities when it comes to the caregiving needs, health care benefits and resources of their veteran loved ones.

Jeff previously shared these insights in a piece about the growing crisis of veteran family caregivers:

Families often struggle to provide care for their wounded warriors. It’s not just a function of the increasing number of veterans needing care. A major contributing factor is the increasing complexity of veteran needs being faced by the family caregivers. Today’s veterans needing care are returning from deployments with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at record levels. Coupled with an aging Veterans Affairs (VA) care system that struggles to keep up with demand, family caregivers face unrelenting pressure to try to do more for their veterans.

Family caregivers can struggle with the mental health needs of their loved ones who suffer from the challenges of TBIs or PTSD. Meanwhile, the VA system strains to keep up with the sheer volume of veterans now in the system with World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Iraq and Afghanistan veterans all seeking care and treatment. 

There are many costs related to caregiving, both financial and personal. Families are torn on an economic front trying to make ends meet, juggling the dual full-time pressures of work and care while searching for the right alternatives to address the needs of their veteran family members. This generates stress and friction between parents and adult children, and between veterans and their spouses, as they struggle with issues related to home accessibility, functionality and the mobility of veterans.

To cope, families can start by learning as much as they can about the VA health care system. Caregivers should investigate the aid and attendant benefits that every veteran who served at least one day in wartime is entitled to but, sadly, might never have been told about.

Are you the family caregiver of a military veteran? What kinds of resources, education and support would help you on your caregiving journey? Comment on this post. We would love to hear from you!

Many military veterans and their family are unaware of the Aid & Attendance benefits program for which they could be eligible. The Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension is a little-known existing benefit which helps reduce the cost of care for older veterans and their surviving spouses.

Aid & Attendance is available to eligible veterans and spouses who require home care – including assistance with eating, bathing, and medication reminders – even if the assistance is not a direct result of a service-related injury.

The Aid & Attendance (A&A) increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension if you meet one of the following conditions:

• You require the aid of another person to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing and transferring; or you need help protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment – for example, if you have an increased risk for falls.
• You are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities requires that you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment.
• You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity.
• Your eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.

Veterans or the veteran’s surviving spouse could be eligible if the veteran:

• Was discharged from a branch of the United States Armed Forces under conditions that were not dishonorable
• Served 90 days of continuous military service (active duty), with at least one day during the following wartime periods (did not have to serve in combat):
  • World War I: April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918
  • World War II: December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946
  • Korean War: June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955
  • Vietnam War: August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961, for veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964), through May 7, 1975
  • Persian Gulf War: August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by Presidential Proclamation or Law.

If the veteran entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally he/she must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

You may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state.

At FirstLight we are proud to serve many veteran families with personal and customized care. If you are a family caregiver and need assistance with your aging veteran or their spouse, such as getting them to and from medical appointments, personal care, or care around the home, we can help. FirstLight offers many Veteran Care Services to support you.

For more articles and information like this, subscribe to our weekly Home Care News.

Sources

www.veteransaidbenefit.org

www.benefits.va.gov

www.veteranaid.org

Thanks to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, service members who are transitioning out of the military will have more assistance for them and their caregivers. Currently, caregivers of veterans are not involved when veterans are going through pre-counseling to learn about their VA benefits.

The new law encourages the DoD and VA to work together to better integrate caregivers into the conversation around veteran’s and caregiver’s resources during military separation. It requires the DoD to ask service members who are in pre-separation counseling to identify if they have a caregiver. If they do, then the caregiver becomes part of the conversation to help veterans understand what resources they can utilize, what they can apply for, and how they can support the health, wellness and reintegration of their veteran.

We sat down with our own CEO, Jeff Bevis, to get his take on this new progress. Here is what he said:

“We applaud the recent National Defense Authorization Act of 2018. It aims to give greater awareness and importance to caregivers of veterans earlier in the process of service members transitioning out of the military. It also provides the additional steps needed to effectively present each veteran with their VA benefits.

In serving veterans and their families, caregivers are often left out of the dialogue and are not included in discussions regarding VA benefits. This creates information gaps and often results in widening gaps where VA benefits could help with health, medical or social services. Many times, the full benefits have not been presented or are not retained by the veteran during the transition process.

These “benefit gaps” are very often avoidable and, if communicated more effectively upfront during the transition process, will most certainly lead to fewer challenges for these veterans and their families.

On behalf of our entire FirstLight organization serving thousands of veterans and their families across the country, we are excited to remind and better enable transitioning veterans and their families to utilize the new assistance provided in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018.”

Read more about the National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed by the president on December 12: Law: Bring Caregivers To The Table During Pre-Separation Counseling.

If you are caring for a veteran and have questions or need assistance, contact a FirstLight Home Care near you.

There are just under 2 million World War II veterans remaining in the U.S., and they are aging quickly.

Many members of the “Greatest Generation” who are dealing with the challenges of advancing age need care and assistance with activities of daily living. Home care can be an ideal solution to help older veterans receive exceptional care and maintain the quality of life they deserve.

Home care services assist veterans in a variety of ways. These offerings can include: professional companion care, such as conversation and company, as well as household duties like cooking, cleaning and laundry; and non-medical personal care, like help with individual needs such as bathing and hygiene, continence and toileting care, mobility support and assistance with eating. Home care also can assist veterans of any age living with injuries sustained in the field, as well as active-duty families that need help when loved ones are deployed.

These home care services can be applied in various settings:

• Veterans can receive companion care or personal care in their own homes
• Care can be provided in independent and assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities
• Respite care can be offered to family caregivers so that they may take time off from the responsibility of caring for their loved one.

A Lesser-Known VA Benefit

Wartime service veterans and their surviving spouses are eligible for VA pensions. One little-known existing benefit is the Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension, which helps reduce the cost of care for older veterans and surviving spouses.

Aid & Attendance is available to eligible veterans and spouses who require home care – including assistance with eating, bathing and medication reminders – even if the assistance is not a direct result of a service-related injury.

If you are caring for a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, make sure that your loved one is receiving the care and benefits they deserve. FirstLight provides non-medical home care under the Aid & Attendance program, as well as companion and personal care services to anyone 18 years of age and older who may need assistance.

Are you caring for a family member of the “Greatest Generation?” What are some of the challenges you face providing care for your veteran loved one? Comment here or head over to our Facebook page to join the conversation.

And don’t forget that November 11 is Veteran’s Day. Please take the time to salute and thank a veteran for their services to the United States.

The National Institute on Aging offers a wide variety of programs and resources designed to help seniors get more exercise. As home care providers, we are familiar with the unique challenges that seniors can face in getting the right amount of exercise and offer the following tips for taking advantage of the benefits of Parks and Recreation Month.

1. Walk in a Park: No matter what type of pace you can manage, being able to walk in a park is a great way for seniors to enjoy time outdoors. Speed is not as important as being able to walk in a park, which can lead to even longer walks as time goes on. Make sure that the seniors in your life have comfortable shoes, wear light clothing and stay hydrated during their outdoor walks to keep themselves comfortable.
2. Bike or Boat: If your local community has bike trails or a boating area, enjoy time in the great outdoors during July by taking a leisurely bike ride or hit the water in a boat with the seniors in your life. If you are going for a bike ride, make sure that you ride at a pace that is comfortable for everyone, wear protective gear like a helmet and take breaks as needed. If you have a senior that doesn’t feel comfortable riding a bike, a boat ride while wearing a life vest can be a relaxing way to enjoy time outdoors!
3. Relax in a Park: If the seniors in your life aren’t able to be as mobile as they would like, you can still take advantage of Parks and Recreation Month by taking a drive to a local park and enjoying time with others. Having social interactions with caregivers or family members can help seniors feel a part of a social group, so make a day of it! Take a light lunch, spread a blanket out and enjoy time together in the natural beauty of a local park.

No matter the level of activity that the seniors in your life are comfortable with, you can still enjoy time together and the beauty of the great outdoors during Parks and Recreation month. If you have a question about helping the seniors in your life get ready for a day in the park during July, or other topics related to caregiving, contact our “Just Ask FirstLight” service today for more information!

As the number of United States Veterans continues to grow, the caregivers at FirstLight Home Care are honored to be the choice for a growing number of Veterans and their families. From members of the Greatest Generation who are challenged by advancing age to recently returned Veterans who are returning from combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, the “culture of care” that is in everything we do enables our caregivers to treat our nation’s Veterans with all of the respect and dignity that they have earned and deserved.

FirstLight Home Care caregivers can provide a wide range of assistance, depending on the level of care that is required for Veterans and their families. These services include:

Companion Care: FirstLight Home Care provides assistance to Veterans and their families through a wide range of companion care services at home or in a healthcare facility setting, including:

• Regular visits, conversation & company
• Medication reminders
• Meal preparation
• Light housekeeping
• Laundry services
• Shopping, errands & transportation
• Recreational activities
• Mail & paperwork organization
• Live-in services
• 24-hour care
• Family respite care

Personal Care: FirstLight Home Care also provides even more personal care services to assist with the activities of daily living, giving families additional peace-of-mind and giving our Veteran clients dignity and comfort every day. These services include

• Bathing & hygiene
• Walking & mobility assistance
• Transfer & posture positioning
• Continence & toileting care
• Special Diets & meal preparation
• Eating assistance
• Oral hygiene

Along with the services listed above, FirstLight Home Care also offers Veterans and their families a multitude of additional options to support their individual needs. A number of our franchise owners are Veterans themselves and are uniquely suited to understand the needs of our Veteran population. For more information on the Veteran Services that FirstLight Home Care offers, we encourage you to visit our website.