Many veterans and their families are unaware of the veterans benefit of Aid and Attendance. If your aging loved one served in the military during wartime, he or she may be eligible to receive Aid and Attendance benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Aid and Attendance benefits are designed to assist veterans and their families in meeting the growing costs of long-term care. Aid and Attendance can be used toward a variety of long-term care options ranging from:

• Care at home
• Retirement community
• Assisted living
• Board and care
• Nursing home

To qualify for Aid and Attendance, a veteran must meet the following requirements:

• Wartime service — Serving a minimum of 90 days with at least one day during war. Service outside war zone is acceptable.
• Need for assistance — Requiring regular assistance as certified by a physician. Can be for mental or physical reasons.
• Assets and income — If your income after recurring medical expenses are factored in is less than the maximum Aid and Attendance benefit, your income qualifies. You must have less than $80,000 in assets to qualify.

If you served in the military during wartime, you need to investigate your eligibility for Aid and Attendance benefits.

As we age, the level of medical care that we require becomes more intense and costly. Facing those costs without losing your home or depleting your assets is a difficult challenge that few can overcome without skilled guidance. Understanding what benefits are available and what they can do for you is your first step toward retaining control over your future.