How Residential Assisted Living Supports Veterans
After dedicating their lives to serving our country, veterans deserve to enjoy a comfortable and fulfilling retirement. Residential assisted living communities can provide practical, social, and emotional support tailored to a veteran’s unique needs within an environment that promotes independence and improves their quality of life.
Residential assisted living is a good senior care option for aging adults who wish to remain independent but require some support with personal care and activities of daily living (ADLs). In residential assisted living, seniors share a home with other residents. They will typically have access to a private or shared bedroom and bathroom and communal living and dining areas. Professional caregivers are available around the clock to respond to emergencies and provide the personalized support each resident needs.
How Can Residential Assisted Living Support the Physical Health of Veterans?
While veterans are affected by the same issues as any other senior, they may also face additional health challenges during retirement. For example, some veterans may have sustained injuries that require consistent care and management. Residential assisted living can help senior veterans stay physically healthy by:
- Offering 24/7 ADL support. In residential assisted living, seniors typically have access to dignified ADL assistance around the clock. Veterans may experience a natural decline in mobility over time or be less mobile due to service-related injuries. With the support of compassionate and highly trained caregivers, veterans can receive assistance from ambulation to personal care.
- Helping veterans live well with service-related injuries. Many veterans live with the ongoing effects of physical injuries sustained during their service. For example, traumatic brain injuries are more common among veterans than non-veterans. Residential assisted living facilities can organize appropriate support from on-site or visiting nurses, physicians, physical and occupational therapists, or other specialists.
- Coordinating care plans. In residential assisted living, veterans will receive their detailed care plan based on their needs, preferred daily routines, and any acute or chronic medical conditions. Their assisted living community can serve as a central point of contact for physicians and other medical professionals, resulting in seamlessly coordinated care. Many communities also offer convenient transportation to medical appointments complimentary or within the monthly fee.
How Does Residential Assisted Living Provide Social and Emotional Support?
In senior care, mental, social, and emotional support are equally as important as physical care. Many veterans experience mental health disorders like depression or PTSD, sometimes with comorbid substance abuse issues. Residential assisted living communities can support veterans and help them connect with professional counselors or relevant experts.
Residential assisted living facilities are great social communities. Feelings of loneliness and isolation are common among seniors and sometimes even more so among veterans. But with communal mealtimes and inviting shared social areas, seniors can find daily opportunities to connect with fellow residents and caregivers. Most residential assisted living communities offer various social and recreational activities to suit diverse interests. Some may even host social groups or events aimed specifically at veterans, allowing residents to meet others with similar experiences.
How Can Veterans and Their Families Pay for Residential Assisted Living?
While payment plans vary from one community to the next, a whole host of options are often available to suit a range of financial circumstances. Some families pay for residential assisted living from personal funds or funds generated from selling a senior’s home, but these aren’t the only options. Other standard methods of payment include:
- VA benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers various services and benefits for seniors with differing needs. VA can assist with long-term care costs like skilled nursing or residential assisted living or other services like physical therapy and family caregiver support. The type of care you or your loved one is eligible for will depend on factors like service history, income, and health. For example, a senior must require assistance with two or more ADLs to receive VA support.
- Medicare/Medicaid. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for seniors 65 years of age or over and some younger individuals with disabilities or certain health conditions. Medicare can help with the costs of everything from hospital stays to medical supplies and prescription drugs. While Medicare doesn’t typically cover long-term care, Medicaid may be able to help low-income seniors with these costs.
- Private insurance. A private long-term care insurance plan can help with senior care costs. Long-term care coverage may be included in an overall retirement plan and can help finance residential assisted living, home care, memory care, or hospice care.
Finding a residential assisted living community that can meet your loved one’s every need is vital. To find out more about how we support veterans in retirement, give us a call and arrange a tour.