According to the World Health Organization, one in six people in the world will be 60 years of age or older by the year 2030. As we age, we have the opportunity to make healthy choices, fulfill our long-held dreams and get the support and care we need to live fully.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a wide range of support and services designed for older Veterans and their caregivers. VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care page includes a wealth of resources including information on paying for long-term care, brain health and wellness, caregiver support, advance care planning, fitness and much more.
VA also offers a wide range of home and community-based services and support designed to help you remain as independent as possible. These services are often done in your home, at community sites or in nursing homes and are provided based on your eligibility and clinical need.
To learn more about your eligibility for a specific program, what services are offered, where it’s available and how to make the best decision for you and your family, click on the links below.
Adult Day Health Care is a program Veterans can attend during the day for social activities, peer support and recreation, or to receive care from nurses, therapists, social workers or other health care staff.
Home Based Primary Care is a program for Veterans who have complex health care needs. A VA doctor supervises a health care team that provides primary care visits in your home for ongoing illnesses and diseases.
No matter what your specific needs are as you age, let VA support you and your loved ones along the way.
Homemaker & Home Health Aide Care are services provided by a trained person to help Veterans with hands-on care such as bathing, using the bathroom, and eating, as well as light homemaker services such as laundry or cooking.
Hospice Care is designed for Veterans who are terminally ill with six months or less to live. The care team helps Veterans and their families develop a plan of care that addresses medical, social, spiritual and psychological needs.
Palliative Care is provided by a multi-disciplinary team and focuses on relieving suffering and controlling symptoms, so that Veterans can carry out day-to-day activities and do things that matter most, like going to visit their grandchildren.
Respite Care is a program that pays for care when family caregivers need to run errands, take a break or go out of town for a short time. A trained person provides care in your home, in an inpatient or community setting during the day or overnight.
Skilled Home Health Care is delivered by a community-based health care agency for Veterans who need short-term health care services, such as physical and occupational therapy, wound care, IV antibiotics, skilled nursing and more.
Remote Monitoring Care allows your physician or nurse to monitor your medical conditions, such as blood pressure or blood sugar levels, remotely using home monitoring equipment.
Veteran-Directed Care provides Veterans or their caregivers with a flexible budget for long-term care services. With a counselor’s help, Veterans can hire their own workers to meet their daily needs, such as bathing and fixing meals, to help them live at home or in their community.
No matter what your specific needs are as you age, let VA support you and your loved ones along the way!