70% of adults over the age of 65 will likely spend some time in a nursing home or need some other form of long-term care in their lifetime. And the likelihood of needing this type of care grows if you are a veteran.
Service-connected injuries like physical disabilities, chronic conditions (like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases), or psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) all increase the odds that someone will need earlier or more extensive long-term care.
As the cost of long-term care continues to skyrocket, figuring out how to pay for it is a challenge for many Mississippi families. It is more expensive than ever to hire home health aides or pay for a stay in an assisted living facility or nursing home, and those costs are only going to keep rising. That’s why the Palmer & Slay team is honored to serve as a resource for veterans in the Brandon, Mississippi area who need assistance tapping into their hard-earned long-term care benefits.
Understanding the VA’s Long-Term Care Benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of long-term care benefits designed to assist veterans with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or aging-related needs. These benefits can be used to pay for:
- 24/7 nursing and medical care
- Physical therapy
- Help with daily tasks (like bathing, dressing, making meals, and taking medicine)
- Comfort care and help with managing pain
- Support for caregivers who may need skilled help or a break so they can work, travel, or run errands
You can get this care in many different settings — some run by VA and others run by state or community organizations approved by the VA — including:
- Nursing homes
- Assisted-living centers
- Private homes where a caregiver supports a small group of individuals
- Adult day health centers
- Your own home
Accessing the VA’s Long-Term Care Benefits
Only a small percentage of veterans who are eligible for these long-term care benefits end up getting them because the VA does a horrible job advertising them and requires applicants to jump through a few hoops before they start mailing out checks.
If you are a veteran in the Brandon, Mississippi, area and you need long-term care, Palmer & Slay PLLC’s experienced team of attorneys can help you identify and apply for the benefits you deserve.
- We start by confirming and documenting your military service. Certain benefits are tied to service history and discharge status, so this is important.
- Next, we review your financial and medical records to determine what care you need, and start to think about how you might pay for it.
- Finally, we help draft, review, and submit your application and then follow up with the VA until your request for benefits is approved.
Preserving your wealth. Protecting your loved ones.
If you are at all familiar with the VA, you know that nothing it does is simple and straightforward. That’s why having an attorney from the Palmer & Slay team at your side is important when you are applying for long-term care benefits. Our seasoned attorneys can help you cut through the red tape and get your hard-earned benefits. Please contact us today if we can be of service.