Senior Care for Veterans in Ocala, Florida | Gainesville, Florida | The Villages, Florida

If you are a veteran, or the surviving spouse of a veteran, requiring in-home care, you may be eligible to receive pension

Ocala Veterans

benefits through the Veterans Non-Service Connected (NSC) Improved Pension Benefit Program.  Comfort Keepers® of Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages can help.

For aging veterans, one of their most important benefit programs is the Veterans Non-Service Connected Improved Pension Benefit Program. Established to assist qualified veterans, and/or their surviving spouses and family, the Veterans NSC Improved Pension Benefit Program provides financial support that enables veterans to live independently while receiving the quality of care they deserve.  In particular, funds are available for aging veterans who need assistance with medical and non-medical care both in the home and in qualified facilities.

In many cases, veterans, along with their spouses and family, are unaware that this program exists. According to VA analysis, only 27 percent of veterans and 14 percent of widow(er)s who are likely eligible, actually receive any money from the program.

To qualify for the Veterans NSC Improved Pension Benefit Programs, a veteran must have 90 days or more of active duty with at least one of those days served during a US-declared war. The benefits are designed for those who meet specific financial criteria and demonstrate a physical need for healthcare.

The Department of Veterans Affairs determines active duty as full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey.

Other qualifications and considerations:

•             Discharge for any reason other than dishonorable conditions

•             Over the age of 65 or disabled

•             Total financial assets

•             Physical condition

•             Current marital status (if you are the surviving spouse of a veteran)

•             Total gross income versus medical deduction

Comfort Keepers can provide professional guidance while the applicant is completing the necessary paperwork and being assessed for eligibility for the Veterans Improved Pension Benefit Program. Once approved, Comfort Keepers can be the solution for quality in-home care.

We provide Personal Care Services such as bathing, mobility assistance, transfer, and incontinence care along with other services like cooking, light housekeeping, transportation to a doctor appointment, or simply the companionship of a caring person.  By providing these services, Comfort Keepers® of Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages has helped hundreds of people stay in their own home.

The Veterans NSC Improved Pension Benefit Program may cover the cost of these care services and we will be happy to assist you in accessing the information necessary to evaluate your eligibility for the program.

We are honored to help provide you, and other veterans you may know, the information you need to fully understand the benefits for which you may qualify.   Call Comfort Keepers at 866-333-4737 today and see how we can provide loving in-home care for you or your loved one.

TIPS FOR SENIORS: MEDICATIONS AND THE PHARMACIST

A pharmacist can talk to the senior about their medications. They can help them understand how and when to take the medications, what side effects they might expect, and what interactions may occur. A pharmacist can answer the senior’s questions privately in the pharmacy while they are filling their prescriptions or over the telephone in the privacy of their home.

PHARMACY VISIT:
1. The Pharmacist is a drug expert—resource for client for printed information.
2. Keeps track of medications—the medication information is stored in their computer system, and will include over-the-counter and dietary supplements if the pharmacist is informed.
3. Containers—medications can be placed in easy open containers if requested.
4. Prescription labels—can be printed with larger type for ease of reading, or in another language.

WHAT TO ASK THE PHARMACIST

• How and where do I store my medications?

• How can I get a refill?

• Is there assistance for paying for this medication?

• Can prescriptions be refilled early?

• Ask the pharmacist to confirm the directions you were given by the physician.

• Is the client’s medication profile up to date at the pharmacy?

• What interactions and possible side effects does the medication have?

Before a client travels, they may want to ask their pharmacist how to adjust their medication schedule to account for changes in time, routine, and diet. When flying, a client should keep their medications with them, and not in their checked luggage.
When purchasing over-the-counter medications, check for package tampering and expiration dates. If a package has been broken, or if the expiration date has passed, notify your pharmacist, and do not take the medication.

At Comfort Keepers we seek to be a resource to you because we are Comfort Keepers caregivers and we are here to help! Comfort Keepers provides in-home care to seniors and the elderly living in Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages Florida. We provide superior in-home care to seniors and the elderly throughout Central Florida so they can live enriched independent lifestyles! Call us today at 866-333-4737.

NOTE: The information presented in this article is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended
as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other medical
professional if you have any questions about any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment.

Aging Veterans Unaware of VA Pension Benefits in Ocala, Gainesville, & The Villages, Florida – Part II

Welcome back to part II of  our Aging Veterans Unaware of VA Pension Benefits in Florida blog post! Picking up where we left off:

Costly Misunderstanding

There are several reasons why veterans are unaware or misunderstand these benefits. First is the very name of the benefit itself – improved pension benefit. Pension benefits usually come after years of service, not after only 90 days of service.

In addition, many veterans often assume the available benefits are for those who have a service-related disability not just because they turned 65.  As the name implies, this program is a non-service connected benefit.

Finally, it is uncommon for a benefit to be available in part just by virtue of age.  However, the Veteran NSC Improved Pension Benefit does not require a qualified veteran to have any disability provided that they are over the age of 65.

Important Documents

Applicants who plan to seek VA benefits for the first time must submit the Service Discharge Form (DD-214, DD-215, or for WWII veterans, a WD form).  This form will determine their service dates and reason for discharge, full name and military service number.

Applicants seeking VA benefits related to a veteran’s death must submit the following:

• Veteran’s birth certificate
• Veteran’s marriage certificate
• Children’s birth certificates or adoption papers
• Veteran’s death certificate

Next Steps
There are several places to find additional information regarding the application process.

• Department of Veteran Affairs – The entire program is explained throughout their website. For additional questions please contact VA Benefits at: 1-800-827-1000 or visit http://www.vba.va.gov.
• State Veterans Service Officers can assist veterans in filing claims for benefits. Their locations and phone numbers can be found through the phone book under “State Government, Veterans Service Officer.”
• VONAPP – Veterans Online Applications allow an individual to fill out the required forms regarding VA compensation, pension, education and vocational rehabilitation benefits. For more information or to get the correct forms, visit http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/faqs.asp.

These resources can assist in the application process.  Other assistance can be provided through various national, county, or local service organizations. In addition, in-home care providers like Ocala, Gainesville or The Villages Comfort Keepers and senior care facilities can assist in accessing the information necessary to evaluate a person’s eligibility for the Veterans Improved Pension Benefit Program.

Comfort Keepers of Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages can provide professional guidance while the applicant is completing the necessary paperwork and being assessed for eligibility for the Veterans Improved Pension Benefit Program. Once approved, Comfort Keepers can be the solution for quality in-home care for seniors in Ocala, Gainesville, or The Villages, Florida.

If you have questions about senior home care for your loved ones in Gainesville, The Villages, or Ocala Florida call us at 866-333-4737. We provide superior in-home care to seniors the elderly so they can live enriched independent lifestyles!

Aging Veterans Unaware of VA Pension Benefits in Ocala, Gainesville, & The Villages, Florida – Part I

Ocala Senior Care - Veterans

Having recently honored our veterans we thought we should bring attention to the fact that  millions of  senior and elderly veterans and their widows lose out on billions of benefits from the government that may help them afford in-home care services.

For aging veterans, one of their most important benefit programs is the Veterans Non-Service Connected Improved Pension Benefit Program. Established to assist qualified veterans, and/or their surviving spouses and family, the Veterans NSC Improved Pension Benefit Program provides financial support that enables veterans to live independently while receiving the quality of care they deserve.  In particular, funds are available for aging veterans who need assistance with medical and non-medical care both in the home and in qualified facilities.

In many cases, veterans, along with their spouses and family, are unaware that this program exists. According to VA analysis, only 27 percent of veterans and 14 percent of widow(er)s who are likely eligible, actually receive any money from the program.

Types of Care Eligible

The availability of this program is something all veterans and their widow(er)s should know. Seniors in our country are now living longer. With higher living costs and the continued rise in healthcare expenditures, many seniors are at risk of quickly depleting their savings.  Programs like the Veterans NSC Improved Pension Benefit Program can fund services like in-home care, assisted living facility expenses and other medical costs that many seniors face.

“We see many clients that are faced with the difficult task of covering their healthcare expenses,” said Lynn Domenech of Ocala Comfort Keepers.  “If they qualify for these funds, it takes a huge burden off of veterans and their families. This money can be used to ensure they are given access to the care they need.”

Qualifications

To qualify for the Veterans NSC Improved Pension Benefit Programs, a veteran must have 90 days or more of active duty with at least one of those days served during a US-declared war. The benefits are designed for those who meet specific financial criteria and demonstrate a physical need for healthcare.

The Department of Veterans Affairs determines active duty as full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey.

Other qualifications and considerations:

• Discharge for any reason other than dishonorable conditions
• Over the age of 65 or disabled
• Total financial assets
• Physical condition
• Current marital status (if you are the surviving spouse of a veteran)
• Total gross income versus medical deduction

Stay tuned for part II of this subject where we’ll give you some steps you can take to find out how to get the benefits you deserve and need. Remember, we are Comfort Keepers and we are here to help! If you have questions about senior home care for your loved ones in Gainesville, The Villages, or Ocala Florida call us at 866-333-4737. We provide superior in-home care to seniors the elderly so they can live enriched independent lifestyles!