When you are trying to build a plan that will allow you to meet the costs of caring for an aging loved one, you need to examine every available option. If your parent or other aging loved one served in the military, you need to examine what veterans benefits are available and how they can help you preserve his or her assets and home.

Veterans benefits for seniors generally fall into three categories:

• Health services — medical care, treatment at a VA hospital
• Service-related disability compensation — benefits for disability directly related to service
• Veterans Aid and Attendance — benefit offered to help pay for in-home care and other options such as nursing homes

As you begin looking at how you are going to pay for long-term care, it is important that you fully explore all options, including veterans benefits. An experienced elder law attorney can help explain what benefits are available to your aging veteran and how those benefits can fit into the larger picture of other benefits such as Medi-Cal and Medicare.

You earned the veterans’ benefits that are available to you. Take advantage of the programs the Department of Veterans Affairs offers. They are designed to help you face challenging health issues that may be directly related to your service. Taking the time to come to a full understanding of what veterans’ benefits are available and how they can help is a wise decision for every veteran.