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Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog

Monday, April 13, 2020

Understanding Alzheimer's & Dementia Benefits for Veterans

Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and their families face a variety of challenges. One of those challenges is how to pay for the care a person needs as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease progresses. Veterans and their spouses may be entitled to VA benefits to help pay for care related to Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our California veteran's benefits attorney helps individuals develop plans that include VA benefits, Medicaid, and other strategies to cover the expenses of long-term care.

Start with VA Caregiver Support

The Veterans Administration provides support for caregivers through two different caregiver programs. You can find information about the caregiver programs on the VA website. The caregiver page also provides important information about other programs designed to help Veterans who are suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other debilitating conditions and illnesses.

Also, each VA Medical Center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator. This person can provide information about various VA programs and how Veterans can qualify for Alzheimer's and dementia benefits. You can also call the VA caregiver support line at 1-855-260-3274 for help.

The Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Benefits

Through the VA Aid and Attendance Benefits (A&A benefits) program, Veterans and survivors may qualify for a variety of benefits that assist with the daily needs associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s. If a person receives a VA pension and meets at least one of four criteria, he or she may be eligible for A&A benefits. The criteria are:

  • The person needs assistance in performing daily activities of living;
  • The person spends all or most of the time in bed because of an illness;
  • The person is a patient of a nursing home; or,
  • The person’s eyesight is limited.

In some cases, a Veteran may also be eligible for housebound benefits if the person spends most of his or her time at home because of a permanent disability.

Veterans and family members can apply for A&A benefits in person at a VA regional office or by mailing in the required VA form.

What Benefits Are Available for Veterans with Alzheimer’s or Dementia?

The Veterans Administration offers a wide variety of benefits that can help provide care for a Veteran diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Some of the services and benefits that a Veteran may receive include:

  • Homemaker and Home Health Aide
  • Nursing Home Care
  • Adult Day Health Care
  • Home-Based Primary Care
  • Inpatient Hospital Care
  • Palliative Care
  • Outpatient Clinic Care
  • Hospice Care
  • Mental Health Care
  • Occupational, physical, and speech therapy

The type of services and benefits a Veteran may receive depend on the medical diagnosis, the level of care required, and eligibility requirements.

Veterans and their families should talk with a VA Caregiver Support Coordinator to inquire about the benefits and services available for individuals diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s. There may be one or more programs that provide care and services. In many cases, asking for help can open many avenues of assistance for Veterans and their families as they work together to deal with the overwhelming consequences of Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.

Contact Our California Estate Planning Attorney for Help

If you have questions about creating a long-term care plan, contact our California estate planning attorney for more information. Contact the experienced elder law attorneys at Horizon Law today. Our law firm offers comprehensive estate planning services, including long-term care planning.


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