For possible VA spousal benefits, there are VA Regional Offices in each community. It's Veteran Affairs for Benefits. Can be in person or phone appointment. Be patient, it's a process. Took me 11 months to have my sister receive the benefits she was entitled to after her husband (Korean War Vet) passed. In the end it was very much worth the amount of effort. For the initial steps of dementia diagnosis, we've always started with Primary Care, to Geriatric Specialist, to Neurologist. Again, it's a process. The imaging, MRI, etc, can be inconclusive-----it seems as if it's common to treat/observe symptoms & behaviors that are being presented. The standard dementia test (it's online) is about 20 questions. Based upon the number of points scored, a level of dementia is determined. Again, this test has many variables. For us, it was close observation of symptoms with a notebook logging in behaviors on a daily basis, to review with physician. That method was the most helpful for our family.
Yes as grandma stated, we all need to remember that spouses of Vets are not allowed all the benefits that Vets are unless they too were Vets. One is, only the Vet can use a VA hospital and their services.
Lots of help available from VA for dementia care. If you're not enrolled with them, you would both benefit. If you are in the system, talk to your team's social worker.
If your question has to do with getting help for your wife thru the VA, contact your County office to see what she maybe entitled to. If you were in the service during wartime, she maybe able to get Aid and Attendance.
For the initial steps of dementia diagnosis, we've always started with Primary Care, to Geriatric Specialist, to Neurologist. Again, it's a process. The imaging, MRI, etc, can be inconclusive-----it seems as if it's common to treat/observe symptoms & behaviors that are being presented.
The standard dementia test (it's online) is about 20 questions. Based upon the number of points scored, a level of dementia is determined. Again, this test has many variables. For us, it was close observation of symptoms with a notebook logging in behaviors on a daily basis, to review with physician. That method was the most helpful for our family.
For more information, see the page at Dementia Care section under Geriatrics and Extended Care at
https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/pages/Alzheimers_and_Dementia_Care.asp.
Best wishes,
If your question has to do with getting help for your wife thru the VA, contact your County office to see what she maybe entitled to. If you were in the service during wartime, she maybe able to get Aid and Attendance.