wkeahey

Thanks Testvet for your response. I really do not need anyone full time just about 2 hours a day for 14 days (that is how my work schedule is)a month. Just someone to make sure that he has something to eat and his medicine is taken. The rest of the time I have neighbors and children who will check on him and also I call about every 2 hours. It's just that sometimes he thinks he has taken his medicine or eaten and that is not the case. Or maybe to take him to the store or to a Dr's appointment. So I am hoping to get a home health aide. right now medicare is paying for a nurse to come at least once a week to check on him.

hi all, Sorry this is so long! I am new to this forum but seems like there is a lot of information to be learned. I would appreciate any help or advice I can get here. First let me say I am the wife of a 100% P&T disabled vet. He is 100% for PTSD(bipolar). His condition is very severe not only mental but he also had a motorcycle wreck about 3 years ago which left his lungs permanently damaged and declining. He was awarded SSDI and then in august of this year he was given his 100% through the VA. He is now at the point that he requires ongoing care. I have talked to the VA both the social worker and his PCP they have both recommended the nursing home which is not an option. He is only 59 years old and some days are fairly good . I work full time 12 hour rotating shifts so he is alone some parts of the days and while alone he has taken his meds at the wrong time, eaten 3 lbs of chocolate at once, almost burned the house down twice, driven and had some minor fender bender(no law involved), gotten lost in the house and fallen a couple of times. Last week when we saw his PCP and I begged for some kind of home health to come in a couple of hours a day she said that was not provided by VA. But sent me to the VSO to file for Aid and Attendance and homebound. When we talked to our VSO she said that this would pay for me to get a private provider to come in and she thought it would be quickly approved. She also sent me back to his PCP and physiatrist with letters to complete and send back to her. I guess my question is -- what is Homebound and aid and attendance? Will I be able to afford private care. also I thought the goal was to allow and help veterans to be able to function as independent as possible without nursing home care. Any help or advice is appreciated. I must be missing the big picture