ENSURING VETERANS RECEIVE THEIR EARNED ELDERCARE BENEFITS

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 8.1 million retired veterans over the age of 65.  Many of these patriotic heroes, having survived wars, now need to endure the aging process and are finding that they need help staying safe within their own homes.  Assisted Living Services, an award-winning nonmedical homecare agency in Connecticut, is assisting military service personnel and their families access the maximum benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during National Caregivers Month and Veterans Day in November.

“Along with the work and stress of ensuring that aging loved ones are receiving the best possible care at home, families are also faced with the challenge of figuring out how to pay for quality, in-home senior care,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA, and COO of family-owned Assisted Living Services Inc. “Many veteran families come to us not knowing that they qualify for VA coverage, but after some education and research on our part, they discover that they do, which offers much financial relief.”

D’Aquila notes that many veterans may qualify for The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), a state-specific Medicaid waiver program administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS), designed for seniors with limited income and assets who require home care services. To qualify, individuals must meet certain criteria based on income, assets, age and health conditions.  The CHCPE covers a wide range of services, including personal care assistance, homemaking, 24-hour live-in care, nursing services and even programs like Meals on Wheels and adult daycare.

Also, D’Aquila said “though Medicare does not typically cover nonmedical home care, some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited benefits for in-home services. This option is still in its infancy and not widely available, but it’s worth asking about if you or your loved one are on a Medicare Advantage plan.”

Since 1996, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Its unique CarePlus program blends personal care by over 700 employees and caregivers with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. ALS was ranked on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies and recognized by Home Care Pulse® as a “Best of Home Care Leader In Excellence,” a designation given to the best home care providers in the nation.