Wwii Vet Any Benefit On Private Long Term Care

[JR Reihs]

Hello Vets,

I am about to give up on the research. My wife's GM was a Marine in WWII, both her and her late husband served during this time. As sad as it is, she at the age of 92 will now spend her last days in a nursing home..."Please don't feel bad for her, the old gal had a 91 year run before her current condition, and could drink most fellers under the table at 85 LOL".

The problem is , I got a call from one of the five sons that is POA, he talked to a county VA rep, who in turn convinced him she was entitled to a VA payment to help offset the care in a private assisted living home under AA. She was not SC'd, nor was her late husband, but the VA rep wanted all of his papers which confuses the hell out of me since she is also a wartime Vet.

I am pretty sure she could qualify for VA long term care in a VA facility, but I can not find anything under AA that would give her any benefits in a private care home.......maybe I missed something?

So I am reaching out to others so I can offer a defintative answer on entitlement.

[john999]

I think she is qualified for some A&A but it will all go to the nursing home. I do not believe she is qualified for a VA nursing home. After she is destitute she can get medicade to pay for the nursing home. Ask an Elder Care Lawyer about this and they may just tell you if she is or isn't qualified for some A&A.

[Berta]

http://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/Guide/LongTermCare/Paying_for_Long_Term_Care.asp

Click on the links to the left of this page for more info as to Long Term Care.

The vet rep might have assumed she is (due to wartime service as you mentioned and I also assume he meant WWII service)

probably eligible for an income based VA pension and that might kick in the A & A benefit as well.

VA has this info here:

http://benefits.va.gov/PENSIONANDFIDUCIARY/pension/vetpen.asp

Here is the link to the A & A criteria for wartime veterans receiving the VA wartime pension:

http://benefits.va.gov/PENSIONANDFIDUCIARY/pension/aid_attendance_housebound.asp

[TiredCoastie]

I'm in the midst of doing similiar research for my in-laws. You might want to contact your local VAMC and talk to a social worker there to see what is in the realm of the possible. A key provision may be SC disability but it appears that basic enrollment for health care in the VA medical system obtains some support although potentially with co-pays. The link that Berta forwarded is a very good overview of what they may offer if they have the capacity in your area. Elder law attorneys also seem to have a good handle on this stuff, but they can be very expensive. I recommmend you start with the social worker at the VAMC yourself.

My father-in-law is also a WWII vet, and he and my mother-in-law need in home care. Was pleasantly surprised when I checked yesterday with the VAMC where he'd sought treatment years ago that he was still enrolled. I have no idea what class of vet he's seen as by the VAMC and whether or not he had to pay co-pays back when he went over there. Like your in-laws, he has no SC disability. He was awarded a Purple Heart for a minor shrapnel wound, though.

As an aside, looking at long term care options for my in-laws made me and my wife start to consider what we'll need to do and have in place in future years. She is eligible for long term care insurance. I doubt I am and will have to rely on what the VA will do for me.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Edited November 20, 2013 by TiredCoastie