Our father served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Would he qualify for care from the VA?

We're going through the process now it's provides a monthly check around $1300 total a month for both husband and spouse or widow. There strict on assets, like no more than 2 acers of land, no savings, or penchant above a certain amount. The money is away of paying family caregivers a wage or paying other expenses. We're working with a lawyer but not making any head way. He meets all requirement but they need more proof of service as they claim the military peppers were burned in 73 in the military archive. Wants a letter from someone who served with him he's 89 year's old. And don't know anyone lift, so it's tuff to get.been around 8 months or more.

He should qualify for the Aid in Attendance benefit offered by the VA. Google the benefit name and should find enough info, including phone number to call, to get you started. Best wishes!

He absolutely qualifies for any Veterans' services.

Do to his age, ask for that the application be EXPEDITED. Be sure to also apply for retroactive benefits (pension and A&A). Good Luck.

Once he applies, he will be put into a classification from 1-8 (how military-like is that?) that are called Priority Groups. Each year the VA only has limited funding and typically those in the highest priority group (8e & 8g) don't qualify for funding. Other Priority Groups have other limits. So start off by seeing what Priority Group he will be in and check to see if it's being funded. If you need help applying, call one of the local Veteran's organizations (like DAV). They have capable staff and will help at no charge. Finally, it takes TIME, so get going quickly. http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/va-health-care-eligibility.html#9

Please check into Aid and Attendence....part of VA's Geriatric Care. My husband, a Vietnam vet, fell down our front steps 3 years ago and is now a quadraplegic. My father, a WWII vet, is 92 (still lives w/my 90 year old mom, now in assisted living). Both Dad and Steve get 3 hours/3 days a week, and their caregivers bathe them, dress them, "potty" them, plus light housework like laundry, mopping, vacuuming, unload dishwasher, etc, which gives me time to do yardwork, etc that still has to be done. IN ADDITION, the caregiver gets 30 - 6 hour days annually of "respite care"...where the caregiver can just get away for awhile. ...your mom could take a day trip with you, or visit a friend...it is wonderful!

As long as he actually served and was never dishonorably discharged, then yes. My foster dad served in England pushing typewriter. He refused to fight since he was a quaker. I don't know how someone tracked him down, but he was surprised either by a letter or phone call from some guy who was able to help him get his veterans benefits. He was probably entitled to them much sooner but didn't get them until much later and I suspect he probably didn't know where to find help. I guess it's better late than never

Dixie, you just "made my day!" I've been speaking with VA reps periodically, at local and state levels, to determine if my father would be qualified for Aid and Attendance. I get different responses depending on who I contact.

I had also been trying to find a good private duty firm in case I couldn't figure out a way to qualify Dad. That's another story, but it's been a disappointing search to try to find a reliable and trustworthy company in my area.

No Social Workers ever mentioned the site you referenced - it's always the same spiel on Aid and Attendance.

Then I read your post, checked out the link, and became aware of something that I never knew before, and suddenly the world became better for us - brighter, more hopeful, and even better than chocolate!

I quote (the VA site isn't copyrighted):

"Since Homemaker Home Health Aide services are part of a service within the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package, all enrolled Veterans are eligible if they meet the clinical need for the service."

Dad gets the SMBP and would clearly meet the clinical needs.

Thanks so much for your post, your reference, and for adding relief and enthusiasm to my search for care. My stress is melting away, suddenly I have more hope for Dad, and I feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway when he's finally rescued! (Except that I'm not quite yet passed out and dehydrated as he was.)

Yes he is - but if he's on Hospice, you've sort of missed the boat for his benefits. Hospice is for 'end of life' and it does take time to get into the VA system.

However, ask - any help is still help. The VA also does HomeHealthCare but most often this is just a once a week nurse. The VA also has a Nursing Home available for Veterans, but you must sign over your home. Sometimes "free help" isn't as free as we think.

My DH is 96 and a WWII Veteran and the VA helps with medicines and supplies needed to keep him clean, ie wipes & wash. But we use a private homehealth and were referred by his regular physician. However, the depends, wipes and Perineal Soap are a blessing as they are not cheap. He also gets Ensure and Thick-It but the amounts monthly are limited. It still saves us 'out of pocket' for his needs.

Ask ask ask.

My mother, being the widow of an Army veteran and completely dependent, gets a small benefit for Aide & Attendant I think it is called. It is not an easy process. We were "lucky" to have someone come out and fill out the paperwork, the first person was in 2014 and they screwed it up so we gave up until 2016; then another person came out and this time it worked. But we weren't finished yet, the Field Examiner that came out to fill out paperwork to make me the fiduciary told me I should be getting the maximum amount, which was I believe $1200 monthly, quite a difference from the $495 we were receiving. But he wouldn't tell me exactly how to go about it. In doing it myself and with the help of the VA person, and even with assistance from the Council on Aging social worker, I was surprised to get a letter telling me because my mom received a month annuity, which they knew about and included in her assets, we would only be receiving $249 monthly. And now I owe them $850. Just to let you know ........very frustrating.

He would qualify and depending on his diagnosis it may be related to service and he would qualify for more and possibly his wife would be entitled as well.
Contact the VA or a Veterans Commission office and see what they can do. You do NOT have to pay for this service although there are people that will do the same work you can do but they will charge you a fee.
As a matter of fact there may be someone connected with the Hospice Organization you are with that is a liaison to the VA and they could help you and they may possibly be able to push the application through a bit faster.

Yes he does. Call your VA and get him enrolled. My husband was in the Army for 7 years and he's on VA. Check out thus link
https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/guide/longtermcare/homemaker_and_home_health_aide_care.asp#

Of course he qualifies. Please get assistance entering him into the system.
I had always heard stories about VA not being so great, then I went with my husband (married after he left the Army after 14 years). The respect and care they showed was impressive.

Arianne; that is TERRIFIC advice. End of life care, i.e., round the clock caregiving with only occasional in-home help is basically a recipe for the elderly caregiver's demise!

In addition to following BarbBrooklyn's good advice on Veterans Affairs, keep in mind that your mother's health should be a priority at this time. I was in my early eighties when, with the assistance of in-home hospice, I was the caregiver to my husband for the last three years of his life. If our hospice team hadn't railroaded me into placing my husband in a nursing home for the last four months of his life, I would probably be dead by now at 86. The VA and hospice are both good resources for your family.

There is a blue box at the bottom of this screen; click the link that says "Veteran's Affairs".