Veterans and their families make countless sacrifices when they choose to serve our country. Those sacrifices shouldn’t include aging well and having the retirement they choose. There are resources to support veterans in retirement, but the system can be confusing. Maximizing your VA benefits can help you afford senior living and live retirement the way you want.
4 Things Every Veteran Should Know About VA Benefits and Senior Living
1. VA Benefits can Help Make Senior Living Affordable for Veterans
Some reports estimate that long-term skilled nursing care could cost over $100,000. Because of the type of care it provides, this is the most expensive senior living option. But, depending on the community you choose and the amount of care you need, the cost of senior living can fluctuate.
The Department of Veterans Affairs does offer some benefits that can help veterans afford senior living and other assistance they may need as they age.
Pension
The VA pension program is one of the most versatile retirement benefits available to veterans. To be eligible for pension, you must be a wartime veteran or the surviving spouse of a wartime veteran. Certain income requirements must also be met. The funds can be used for anything, including the cost of senior living or a nursing home. The veteran or their surviving spouse must also be over 65. Alternatively, they could be eligible if they have a disability or receive some form of social security.
Aid and Attendance
One of the most well-known retirement benefits for veterans is aid and attendance. This benefit is available to veterans and their spouses who receive VA pension benefits. Additionally, they must need assistance with some of their daily activities. The activities you need assistance with could include bathing, dressing, and eating. If you meet the financial requirements, you can use this benefit to cover:
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Nursing home
- In-home care
Housebound Allowance
While aid and attendance can be used to provide in-home care, the VA offers another retirement benefit that can help veterans receive assistance at home. In addition to meeting income restrictions, to receive this benefit you must be confined to your home most of the time as the result of a disability. You can receive this benefit in lieu of aid and attendance, but you can’t receive both benefits at the same time. The housebound allowance can cover the cost of assistance at home, but cannot be used to help pay for senior living or nursing homes.
2. Senior Living can Create Community and Offer Support for Veterans
One of the biggest benefits of senior living for everyone is the social support that it provides. This can be especially true for veterans. That’s because they’re able to be around fellow veterans every day and form friendships over their shared experiences. Many senior living communities also offer veterans groups and have events and activities specifically for veterans.
3. VA Benefits Offer Veterans Choices
In addition to the VA benefits that offer financial assistance for care, there are also VA Community Living Centers and State Veterans Homes. These are senior living communities and nursing homes that are run by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the sole benefit of veterans and their spouses. Other VA retirement benefits offer veterans and their spouses more choice regarding where and how they receive care. However, these options provided by the VA can be more affordable and every fellow resident would be a veteran or surviving spouse.
VA Community Living Centers
One option for a VA run nursing home is their Community Living Centers. These offer 24/7 skilled nursing care to veterans. These are most often used for short-term care, but can offer long-term care in some circumstances. While this is a more limited choice, it can be more affordable than a non-VA nursing home for many veterans. There are more than 100 VA Community Living Centers, including 4 in Ohio.
State Veterans Homes
Much like Community Living Centers, State Veterans Homes offer skilled nursing care for veterans. However, they can also offer other senior living options, like independent living and memory care. There are specific eligibility requirements to reside at a State Veterans Home. Unlike Community Living Centers which are run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Homes are run by state-level Departments of Veterans Services. There are 175 Veterans Homes nationwide, with 2 located in Ohio.
4. Resources exist to help Veterans Find a Senior Living Community
Finding the right senior living community or care option can be a challenge for everyone. It can be especially challenging for veterans and their surviving spouses to navigate the VA benefits and care options available to them. Thankfully, there are resources available to help veterans find the right option for them and navigate the benefits available to them.
Care Compare
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offers a tool that allows you to search for skilled nursing care providers near you and shows their ratings based on annual surveys. It’s an effective way to review and compare your options and includes VA Community Living Centers and State Veterans Homes.
Veterans Services
If you’re looking more for information about the retirement benefits available to you as a veteran or surviving spouse, it’s best to reach out to a veterans agency. They will have the best information on the benefits you are eligible for as a veteran. Start with the Veterans Services Office in your community. Additionally, you can find resources online from your state’s Department of Veterans Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veteran Retirement Benefit Companies
There are also companies helping veterans receive their maximum retirement benefits and use them to reduce their senior living costs. There are many companies that offer these services. While each works slightly differently, many offer at least a free consultation.
Learn more about resources available
If you’re ready to learn more about retirement benefits for veterans or resources available to help you as a veteran, we’re here to help.
Retirement for Veterans: Maximizing VA Benefits for Care
In this episode of Senior Living Today, David Mitchell from Clark County Veterans Service Commission is covering essential information about how veterans can maximize their retirement benefits.
Opportunities for Veterans at The Ohio Masonic Communities
At The Ohio Masonic Communities, we’re proud to support our veterans. Regardless of the type of senior living you are looking for, we offer resources and opportunities specifically for veterans. Browning Masonic Community, Springfield Masonic Community, and Western Reserve Masonic Community each have veterans’ groups where residents regularly gather to form friendships, share stories, and sometimes hear from guest speakers.
Dream Flights
We’re proud to partner with Dream Flights to honor our veterans. Each year a small group of veterans who call our campuses home get the opportunity of a lifetime. They receive a free ride in a World War II era Stearman Biplane. You can see from the smiles on their faces in the video below just how much the experience means to our veterans and their loved ones.
The Ohio Masonic Communities has three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio. If you are interested in learning more give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.