Home Care for Veterans: What You Need to Know

At Best Care, we have immense respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by our veterans, active service members, and their families. When it comes to our nation's heroes, they deserve to receive the highest standard of care.

Many veterans may need in-home care for various reasons, from medical conditions to aging. Understanding the resources available can often seem overwhelming. While Best Care does not work with VA benefits, we wanted to provide some information about in-home caregiving for veterans.

Veterans Administration Benefits

The VA has established a variety of programs under the VA Mission Act of 2018, which ensures veterans have access to comprehensive healthcare services, including non-medical home care. This act has significantly widened the scope of services available to veterans, making it easier for them to receive the care they deserve. 

Under the VA Mission Act of 2018, veterans are eligible for more comprehensive healthcare services, including home care. The VA has programs to help provide veterans (who have service-connected medical issues) with access to the care they need.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does have strict requirements for its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). Veterans may be eligible for this clinical program if they:

Sustained or aggravated a serious injury (or illness) in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service during any service era. Among other applicable eligibility criteria, an eligible Veteran must:

Have a single or combined service-connected disability rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of 70% or more, and be in need of personal care services (requiring in-person personal care services) for a minimum of six continuous months based on any one of the following:

• An inability to perform an activity of daily living.
• A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury.
• A need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which the ability of the Veteran to function in daily life would be seriously impaired.  

If a veteran meets these qualifications, the VA will compensate caregivers on their behalf. These caregivers may also be eligible for training, health coverage, counseling, respite care, and other valuable benefits. Visit the VA website for details and restrictions. 

Other programs available from the VA include:

• Adult Day Health Care Centers provide veterans with a safe place for supervised activities and social interaction, allowing family caregivers some relief.
• Home-Based Primary Care for veterans who face challenges traveling to appointments, the VA offers. This service brings healthcare directly to the home, addressing needs such as medication management and nutrition planning.
• Homemaker and Home Health Aide services play a vital role in assisting veterans with daily living tasks and helping them maintain independence within their home environment.
• Skilled Home Care offers services from licensed professionals, including nursing and rehabilitation therapies, for homebound veterans.

Under the veterans home care benefits, the VA covers part or all of the costs for approved services. Financial assistance is tailored based on the veteran's eligibility and specific needs, ensuring that care remains accessible.

Navigating VA home care benefits can be complex, but it’s essential to understand how these can significantly aid in providing home health care for veterans as well as home care services. Through these programs, the VA ensures that veterans aren't isolated or left without necessary care.

In-Home Care for Veterans in Minnesota

We are proud to have over 320,000 veterans in Minnesota, and many of them require home care resources due to physical or mental conditions. For those needing veteran home care services, leveraging the VA benefits can make a world of difference.

At Best Care, we're here to share knowledge, resources, and guidance. Contact us today with any questions about caregiving for yourself or a loved one.