Many Veterans want to remain safely and independently in their own homes as they age or experience changes in their health.
Family members often want the same thing but may be unsure what assistance is available or how to begin accessing it.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers several programs that may help eligible Veterans receive care at home. Depending on the Veteran’s needs, services may include personal care, homemaking, respite care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation therapies.
Eligibility and service availability vary, and most VA-funded home care must be assessed and authorized before services begin. Understanding the available programs can help Veterans and their families ask the right questions and take the next step.
What Types of Home Care May Be Available Through the VA?
The VA offers several home- and community-based programs designed to help Veterans remain in their homes. The most appropriate program depends on the Veteran’s health, functional abilities, eligibility, and local availability.
Programs may include:
- Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care
- Skilled Home Health Care
- Home-Based Primary Care
- Respite Care
- Veteran-Directed Care
- Adult Day Health Care
- Palliative care
- Hospice care
- Caregiver support services
A Veteran may be able to receive more than one service when clinically appropriate. The VA provides an overview of these options on its Home and Community-Based Services page.
Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care
The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program helps eligible Veterans who need personal care or assistance with activities of daily living.
Depending on the Veteran’s assessed needs and authorization, assistance may include:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Personal grooming
- Using the bathroom
- Eating
- Moving from one place to another
- Grocery shopping
- Other approved daily activities
Homemakers and home health aides are not nurses. They are trained caregivers who work for approved community organizations and are supervised by a registered nurse.
This program may be appropriate when a Veteran needs help caring for themselves, is becoming isolated, or has a family caregiver who is experiencing increased strain. It may also be used as an alternative to nursing home placement or in combination with respite and other home-based services.
According to the VA, enrolled Veterans may be eligible when they qualify for community care, meet the clinical criteria, and the service is available in their area. A copayment may apply depending on factors such as the Veteran’s service-connected disability status. Learn more from the VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care guide.
Skilled Home Health Care
Skilled Home Health Care is different from homemaker and personal care assistance. It provides clinical services delivered by licensed healthcare professionals.
Authorized services may include:
- Skilled nursing
- Case management
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Wound care
- IV antibiotics
- Other medically necessary skilled services
This type of care may be used when a Veteran is transitioning home after a hospitalization or nursing facility stay. It may also provide continuing care for a Veteran with ongoing medical needs.
The VA determines whether skilled home health services are medically appropriate and authorizes care based on the Veteran’s situation. Additional information is available through the VA’s Skilled Home Health Care program.
Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Family caregivers provide an extraordinary amount of support, but caregiving can become physically and emotionally demanding. Respite care gives the family caregiver time to rest, attend appointments, complete errands, or manage other responsibilities.
VA respite services may be provided in the Veteran’s home, through an adult day health program, or in an approved facility, depending on the authorization and local availability.
The VA indicates that respite care may be appropriate for Veterans who need assistance with daily activities, are isolated, or have a caregiver experiencing burden. Respite care may also be combined with other home- and community-based services.
Learn more about the VA’s Respite Care program.
Aid and Attendance Is a Different Type of Benefit
Families sometimes use “VA home care benefits” and “Aid and Attendance” as though they are the same program. They are different.
VA-authorized home care generally involves the VA approving specific services from an authorized provider. Aid and Attendance is an additional monthly payment for certain Veterans or survivors who already receive, or qualify for, a VA pension and meet additional requirements.
A Veteran or qualifying survivor may be eligible for Aid and Attendance if they:
- Need another person’s help with daily activities
- Are bedridden because of an illness
- Are a patient in a nursing home because of a disability
- Meet certain qualifying vision limitations
The additional pension payment may help a family pay for care, but approval is not automatic. Financial, service, medical, and other eligibility requirements apply.
Veterans and families can review current requirements and application options on the VA’s Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits page. An accredited Veterans Service Officer can also provide assistance with benefit applications.
How Does a Veteran Request VA-Authorized Home Care?
The process may vary by location and program, but these are common steps.
1. Confirm VA healthcare enrollment
The Veteran generally needs to be enrolled in VA healthcare to access VA healthcare-based home and community services. If the Veteran is not enrolled, the family can begin by contacting the VA or visiting the VA’s healthcare enrollment resources.
Enrollment by itself does not guarantee approval for a particular home care service.
2. Contact the Veteran’s VA care team
The Veteran or family should speak with the Veteran’s VA primary care provider, social worker, or care manager.
Be specific about the assistance the Veteran needs. Explain any difficulties with:
- Bathing or dressing
- Toileting
- Walking or transfers
- Preparing meals
- Memory and supervision
- Managing safely when alone
- Recovering after a hospitalization
- Family caregiver exhaustion
- Remaining safely in the home
Specific examples can help the care team understand how the Veteran’s needs affect daily life.
3. Request an assessment
The VA care team may arrange an assessment to determine the Veteran’s clinical and functional needs. The assessment helps determine which services may be appropriate and how much care may be authorized.
Approval is based on factors such as clinical need, program eligibility, local availability, and the Veteran’s individual circumstances.
4. Receive an authorization or referral
VA-funded community care generally must be authorized before it begins. The authorization should identify the approved service, provider, frequency, duration, and other applicable conditions.
Families should not assume the VA will reimburse care arranged independently. Confirm authorization before beginning services if the VA is expected to pay.
5. Coordinate services with the authorized provider
Once care is approved and an authorized provider is selected, the agency will coordinate the start of services with the Veteran, family, and VA.
The home care provider may conduct its own assessment and develop a service plan consistent with the VA authorization and applicable licensing requirements.
What If the Veteran Has Been Denied or Is Unsure About Eligibility?
A Veteran should not assume that assistance is unavailable simply because they are unfamiliar with the programs or were told about only one type of service.
The Veteran or family may ask to speak with:
- The Veteran’s VA social worker
- The primary care team
- Geriatrics and Extended Care
- The local VA Community Care office
- The VA Caregiver Support team
- An accredited Veterans Service Officer
Ask which home- and community-based services are available locally and whether the Veteran should be assessed for Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care, respite, skilled home health, or another program.
A Veterans Service Officer can be especially helpful with benefit claims such as pension and Aid and Attendance. A VSO does not make the VA’s decision, but an accredited representative can help the Veteran understand and complete the application process.
How Attentive Home Care Supports Veterans
Attentive Home Care is retired-veteran-spouse-owned and credentialed to provide authorized services to Veterans through the VA Community Care Network.
We understand that accepting assistance can be difficult for some Veterans. Our approach emphasizes respect, consistency, dignity, and the Veteran’s right to participate in decisions about their care.
Depending on the Veteran’s assessed needs, VA authorization, and individualized care plan, services may include:
- Personal care
- Homemaking
- Companionship
- Meal preparation
- Mobility assistance
- Respite care
- Skilled nursing
- Medication Management
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Wound Care
- Other authorized support
Attentive Home Care cannot determine VA eligibility or guarantee that services will be approved. However, once appropriate authorization is received, our team can work with the Veteran, family, and VA to coordinate approved care.
If you are a Veteran or are helping a Veteran who needs assistance at home, contact Attentive Home Care to discuss your needs. We can explain the services we provide and help you understand what information may be needed to begin coordinating authorized care.
This article provides general educational information and is not legal, medical, financial, or benefits advice. VA eligibility, authorizations, copayments, program availability, and covered services vary. Veterans should confirm current information with the Department of Veterans Affairs or an accredited representative before arranging care.
