Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11, a day set aside to thank the men and women who served our country. It’s also a good moment for families to ask a practical question: is the aging veteran in your life getting all the support they’ve earned? Many veterans in Central Texas qualify for in-home care through the VA and don’t realize it. At Blue Water Homecare and Hospice, we’re honored to help veterans age safely at home through the VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care program.
What the Program Offers
The program sends trained aides into a veteran’s home to help with the activities of daily life. Aides are supervised by a registered nurse, and services are based on each veteran’s assessed needs. Depending on those needs, help may include:
- Bathing, grooming and getting dressed
- Eating and using the bathroom
- Moving safely from one place to another
- Grocery shopping, meal preparation and light housekeeping
The program can also provide respite care at home. That gives spouses and adult children who serve as family caregivers time to rest while their veteran stays in good hands.
Who Is Eligible
In general, a veteran needs to meet three criteria to receive services through the program:
- Enrollment in VA health care. The veteran must be enrolled in a VA health care benefits package.
- Eligibility for community care. Because the VA does not provide homemaker or home health aide services directly, these services come from approved community providers like Blue Water.
- A physician’s order. A primary care provider evaluates the veteran’s needs and confirms that in-home help is clinically appropriate.
A copay may apply depending on the veteran’s service-connected disability status. If a veteran was denied VA coverage in the past, it’s worth applying again. A change in health, finances or other circumstances may make them eligible now.
How to Get Started
The steps depend on whether the veteran is already enrolled in VA health care.
If they’re already enrolled: Schedule an appointment with their VA primary care provider and ask about Homemaker and Home Health Aide benefits. The provider will determine what services they qualify for and provide a referral.
If they aren’t enrolled yet: Start by applying for VA health care. Once approved, the VA assigns a primary care provider, and the veteran can then request an evaluation and referral.
Once the referral is in place, the veteran can tell their VA case manager they would like to work with Blue Water Homecare. From there, our team matches them with a caregiver who fits their needs and schedule. We also build a plan around the same personalized homecare services we provide to every family we serve.
A Thank You That Lasts All Year
Honoring veterans on November 11 is meaningful. Helping them stay comfortable, safe and independent in the homes they love is a way to keep saying thank you long after the holiday passes. If you have questions about eligibility or the referral process, our team is glad to walk you through it.
Contact us or call 512-872-2955 to learn how Blue Water Homecare can support the veteran in your family.