What VA benefits can I get for my father?

[samnsara]

I am so new at this. I walked into my parents house 3 weeks ago for an over night stay. Mom couldn't breath so off she went to the hospital and I am standing there with my homebound 90 yr old father. I am slowly learning of his home health care therapies and how the VA can provide some therapies for my dad but I need to know where to go who to talk to about equipment. Geez he needs a lift chair something awful. VA said they can pay for the motor but the Home Health PT can get the whole chair. Then the Home Health PT said No its the other way around!

Also is he eligible for a VA loan at his age so I can move them both into a house nearer me? ( my own home is 75 miles away so I see hubby one afternoon a week as he brings supplies and food to me!) No rentals anywhere that will take pets... and I'm not going to separate them from their animals.

Any suggestions or anecdotes at this time would be soooo helpful!

[Borchkins]

1. What state?

There is VA Aid and Attendance if he served during wartime. PM me and I'll give you the name of a VA accredited attorney who works across the US. I am in Wisconsin, if your folks are here.

[tonyt53]

4. THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are groups in most parts of the country that will help you.

The Aid and Attendance benefit is invaluable. It can be tricky to navigate, but there are Seniors groups that can walk you through it. Those benefits also include their spouses. You will probably need to dig out his discharge papers though (DD214). Do not wait another day!!!!!

[samnsara]

10. thank you!

[samnsara]

12. wow

I'm checking it out now. I'm going to print it off and have the VA or Home Health Soc worker check into it. Thank you all so much.

[Borchkins]

14. Please don't rely just on the VA or Veterans service officers.

County's have Veterans Service Officers who are not VA employees and it has been experience that all are not equally helpful or knowledgeable. As a VA-certified attorney, I encourage you to use a VA-certified attorney. We CAN't charge for the services and we don't feel like the VA is our private stash and don't want others to use it. I've been doing this a long time.

[samnsara]

5. washington state...

[The Polack MSgt]

2. Kicking and reccing for visibility, but also...

Contact the closest VFW or American Legion in the area - They should be able to get you in touch with a VA benefits counselor familiar with both the VA and your home state Veterans agency.

Good luck.

Edited to add - PM me if you live in Illinois, I work with a former VFW State Commander, I can put you in touch with him

[samnsara]

7. thank you!

My dad does belong to the VFW..I will check that out.

Hes connected with the local VA and they are just now going to start therapies with him. The learning curve for me is going to be so steep I thought I would try to enlist the knowledge of others who have gone thru the VA for resources.. instead of me re inventing the wheel over and over....and over...again. The VA did call me and say he qualified for 'adult day care'...45 miles away from here. Why would I do that? anyway hes NOT to that point ( some parkinsons, some dementia, some stroke related aphasia, mostly deaf). hes mostly impulsive ( as he was 45 yrs ago!) and a stubborn old marine.

We are trying to keep mom and dad as independent as possible for as long as we can.

Are they eligible for a VA home loan at their age? ( I live in a one bedroom home waaaay up in the mtns.)

[LaydeeBug]

15. Did you consider moving closer to them?

Maybe rent your place out and retro fit their house for you and yours?

Keeping them in familiar surroundings will help them in their latter years.

[mrmpa]

3. thr VA is right about the chair....

They follow medicare guidelines which is that the will cover the motor but not the chair itself. The medicall guidelines also for it to be covered are really tight. Your best bet on the chair is Craigs List. I got my 86 year old mom a $700 chair for $225. Unfortunately the kids bought it new 8 weeks before she died.

At the VA ask to talk to a Social Worker. If they are of no help contact the American Legion and/or the VFW at the National level. They can be of great assistance.

As for a mortgage I don't think the VA can discriminate because of age good luck keep us updated

[samnsara]

8. craigs list!!!

I never thought about that. Checking right now!

[HassleCat]

6. VA home loan eligibility never goes away.

Assuming he has not used it to buy a home already, he is eligible to get a VA guaranteed home loan. Just be aware, the VA does not make the loan, as they used to do. They guarantee the loan, but a private lender has to make the loan. This might not work for your dad because of his age.

[samnsara]

9. oh....

ok.... I saw the ad on tv and then it did say they weren't connected to the VA. I will check further into it. I want them to get into a retirement community in my town. They aren't ready for assisted living yet. My 104 yr old mother in law lived with family until a week before she passed. Hopefully my parents will be as lucky as she was.

[HassleCat]

11. Most counties have a veterans service officer.

The VA pays counties across the country to hire veterans service officers. Their job is to help vets qualify for various benefits. Call your county government and ask them if they have such a person.

[samnsara]

13. Thank you!

[DeminPennswoods]

16. VA will pay up to $1700 a month

in assisted living or nursing home rent.

[samnsara]

17. so long since i have visited this site. Dad passed in Feb...

...thank you all for your posts. Even if i didnt answer I appreciated every single one of them...

[JudyM]

18. Condolences, samnsara.

Lost my dad this past year, too. Tough times for our old vets and us too. He was lucky to have you trying to help him.