We celebrate our veterans in November, but we care for them all year long. All elder adults deserve to live their later years in dignity, but this is especially true for our veterans and their caregivers, who have sacrificed so much for us.

There are over 8.1 million veterans living in the United States who are aged 65 or older. That translates into about half of all veterans, with the largest age group being between 70-79 years old. The sheer number of veterans over the age of 65 means that family members are providing the bulk of their care. In fact, 78%-81% of veteran caregivers spend between 1-30 hours per week providing care. And they ultimately need help in providing that care.

The number of veterans who need care will continue to increase because, according to the Alzheimer’s Organization, as veterans live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), they have a higher risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s. To learn more, here is an article on veterans and dementia.

Given these statistics, it is important that family members try to plan for when caregiving help may be needed in the future. The VA has a full range of health care services for all veterans, not just those living with dementia. Services may include Home Based Primary Care, Homemaker and Home Health Aide, Respite Care, Adult Day Health Care, outpatient clinic, inpatient hospital, Nursing Home, Palliative Care, or Hospice Care and  Caregiver Support.

In addition, one of the lesser-known benefits is the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. These monies are earmarked to pay for in-home care or assisted living and is a huge relief for family caregivers. In fact, if the veteran has died, the surviving spouse can collect an Aid and Attendance benefit themselves. There is a process including eligibility requirements, but a Springpoint at Home Aging Life Care Advisor ™/Care Manager can help educate you on these benefits and find resources to help you apply. Then, with these additional monies in place, a Springpoint at Home Certified Home Health Aid (CHHA) can care for your veteran, giving you much needed help and respite.

For more information on Springpoint at Home and the services we offer, please call: 844-724-1777.