My husband has early onset Alzheimer's and is a Vietnam vet. Is there any help with home care?

Maybe, there are income and asset limit qualifications which are not as restrictive as Medicaid. Call the VA and let us learn what happened.

yes

Great site. I'm confused regarding the Aids and Attendance benefit. I'm a wartime Veteran caregiver for my wife who is in Stage 6 of early-onset Alzheimer's. Can I earn and qualify assistance from the VA for her related care and needs?

Thank you so much - I will get started with the VA & see if they can help. The Dr writing a script for home health care is such a good idea too. I will ask them if they can.
Thank you again

will the VA help me in the home with my husband's dementia without us having to spend down everything?

Hi Robin2005 - Along with the DD214, it may help to have copies of his discharge papers, etc. to attach. That will save time. Otherwise - they'll have to pull his records from archives. You may also need to get his doctor to sign VA FORM 21-2680. Here is a link to that printable form

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-2680-ARE.pdf

I'm assuming that you are aware of his Tri-Care for Life healthcare benefits. Best of luck. Hang in there.

Robin, I completely missed your location when I checked your profile earlier.

Here are some links to help you:

1. Daphne, Alabama city offices (I didn't find any indication of a Veterans Services Depart for the city, but check for the county in which Daphne is located.

google/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Veterans+Department%2C+Alabama

2. Baldwin County Veterans' Services:

google/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Baldwin+County+Veterans+Services

3. Alabama State VA facllities:

google/?gws_rd=ssl#q=veterans+administration+alabama



google/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Veterans+Department%2C+Alabama

Robin, as others suggested, look to the VA for help. There are 2 routes, temporary for the medical assistance and the longer process for Service Connected disability status.

Here's how you can get started:

1. Service Connected status: Google VA for your county. If you have a VA office within your county government offices, contact them first; they'll prepare the paperwork and send it to one of the service organizations (American Legion, VFW) for processing.

If there's no VA office within your county facilities, Google VA for the surrounding areas to locate a VA facility as well as the American Legion and VFW, which are service organizations that assist in applications.

The County office is not part of the VA but interfaces with the service organizations. In Michigan there's also a state Veterans Affairs Department but I haven't had occasion to work with them; you might check out your state as well to see if there's any help there.

You'll need to bring your husband's DD214, insurance cards (Medicare, supplemental insurance, etc.) when you meet with any VA or Vets Affiairs staff.

We got assistance from our County's Veterans Affairs Dept. at the end of October; my father was qualified by the VA as having a service connected disability in May and received back compensation a few weeks later. .

2. Quick medical assistance: Locate the closest VA, contact them (you may need to speak first with the Eligibility Department), either prepare the form (1010EZ) or contact one of the service organizations to help. You will need to provide some information on last year's medical costs as well as income, so check beforehand to ensure you have all the data you need.

Given his situation, the VA may put a rush on it and qualify him for medical assistance quicker.

In our area there are a lot of Vets working at the VA and in the service organizations, and they're very helpful and anxious to get other Vets the assistance they need.


In the meantime, ask one of his treating physicians to write a script for home care; that will at least help with the showering and any medical treatment.

The Area Agency on Aging or your local community senior center can tell you if they participate in Meals on Wheels. I'm assuming your husband isn't able to get out and around much, or isn't driving regularly, so he should quality. In our area, my father gets a warm meal daily for lunch, extras before holidays and has the option for weekend meals if he chooses.

Your being at home may affect his eligibility, but I'm not sure. If you can get a home aide through a doctor's script, this person could help your husband eat.

Good luck. If you have any further questions, post again.

Every area of this country has a local Veterans Service Office. Locate the one closest to you and call them immediately. There are many services including the Aide and Attendence Pension that your Husband could be eligible for. Make a photo copy of your application before sending it in, sometimes the VA loses things and it is quite lengthy to do over. WW2 and Vietnam Vets are eligible for some programs due to that particular service.
Good Luck!
Best of Luck!

contact your local VA, there is a home & attendant program, take advantage of every service the VA will provide. You can also contact your local area agency on aging, they may be able to assist you as well. I'm so sorry about the early onset. Dementia is a terrible disease. Caregiving can be difficult, don't give up, you are not alone. Contact the Alzheimer's Association, they can give you tip on managing the dementia and behaviors he may exhibit (now and later). Good luck.

Yes they can provide all kinds of help. My dad is 83 and 6 months ago he couldn't live indepently any longer. Had trouble gettong him skilled nursing home care at ER. The rules are messed ip to get gey admitted for 3 days so je could get into a nursing home for rehab. After second ER visit and refised again his VA doctor got him afmitted to the VA hospital to qualify for nursing homecare 20 days free. I met with wonderful social workers on his hospital floor who got him admitted to the nursing home of my choice. He alreafy had a small living stipend so we applied to have it increased because he would need additional home care. It was raised to $850 a month. The VA is supplying adult pullups and all meds and can supplyvwheel chairs and walkers. You just have to ask. The VA has been wonderful at all stages. He is now on medicaid in a nursing home doing much better. The VA also supplys home health at no cost to you.

Apply for Aid and Attendance asap! A rep from VA will come out to your home. However, it is a process, so it is important to be patient. All will work out. Just trust, believe and have faith. :-) Better yet, call Veteran's Angels. They are WONDERFUL ! Here is their website: vetangels

Yes, the VA offers all kinds of help. You need to find a social worker or get a nurse out to the house to give you help with what all is available to you.