Unknown Pension Benefit

Did you know that there is a pension benefit available to Veterans and the spouses of Veterans who served during a period of war? Even better, that Veteran did not have to be injured in an act of war or during active duty to receive this particular pension benefit. Most people have NO IDEA this even exists.

This Special Pension (part of the VA Improved Pension program) allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted living facility also qualifies.

This most important benefit is overlooked by many families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies to help care for ailing parents or loved ones. This is a "pension benefit" and is not dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. Most Veterans who are in need of assistance qualify for this pension. Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, nursing home or assisted living facility. A Veteran is eligible for up to $1,519 per month, while a surviving spouse is eligible for up to $976 per month. A couple is eligible for up to $1,801 per month*.

There is an administrative process to go through, but once approved the benefit pays retroactively.

Until Next Time~


Shannon

Maximizing Your Home Care Services

As a non-medical  home care service provider for seniors, I find myself continually trying to educate our clients on one simple point:  USE THE SERVICE!!! In other words, what more can we do for you in your home?

 Home care providers offer many services such as housekeeping, companionship, medication reminders, errands, laundry, meal preparation, etc. How many of these services are our clients utilizing? I have several clients that want visits during the day but seem to have a hard time asking for assistance with housekeeping items around their homes. My theory is simple… we are there to help in any way that we can.

Pay for in home caregivers is typically based on a per hour rate. In other words, the cost for a visit is the same as a cost for a visit while tidying up the living room. We need to stress this to the client and or the client’s family.

Accepting help is a challenge for many Seniors and some clients may feel that having help means losing independence. However, having help also gives one the ability to not worry about completing the little tasks on a daily basis. That creates more time for our clients for the things they enjoy. If our clients could view us more like personal assistants we then could provide a more thorough service. As for the clients that still enjoy some of the daily tasks, how about doing them with the client? Meal prep and errands might less daunting with companionship.

We need to continually stress to the client that we are there for them. Let us be more helpful…we love our jobs and it is after all what we are there for. Home care providers believe in helping seniors maintain independence and we are able to do that by providing a vast array of services. Are we helping our clients use the service?

Helping Seniors Maintain Independence

In today's busy world of careers, demanding schedules, raising families and caring for aging loved ones,it is impossible to be in two places at once. For this reason, we have focused our attention on the family as a whole to solve the dilemma of long distance relationships. Helping Hands Senior Care is the link that organizes home care for your loved one and at the same time,provides peace of mind for you.