When a Veteran starts needing help at home, most families don’t have a clear roadmap. You just know something has changed medications are getting confusing, walking feels less steady, or daily routines are taking more energy than they used to.
The good news: there may be VA benefits that can help pay for support at home (or connect your loved one to services). Here’s a quick, practical guide for Central Denver families on what to look for, who may qualify, and how to start.
VA-related in-home support can look like:
If your loved one is enrolled in VA health care, the VA may offer home-based and community services (part of long-term care/geriatric care).
Think of this path as: services and supports connected to health care needs (often coordinated through the VA care team).
Here are simple signs your Veteran loved one may qualify for help:
Gather the basics
Decide which lane fits best
Use VA’s official help options
Even when benefits are available, families still need a plan for real life at home: safe routines, consistent support, and someone who can help you think through what kind of care actually matches the situation.
BrightStar Care of Central Denver can help you:
Housebound is an increased monthly pension amount for eligible Veterans who are substantially confined to their immediate premises because of a permanent disability.
VA describes geriatric and long-term care programs that can be provided at home, at VA medical centers, or in the community, including Home Based and Community Services as part of long-term care supports.
If you’re caring for a Veteran and aren’t sure where to start—or how to connect benefits with real, day-to-day support, we’re here to help. BrightStar Care of Central Denver provides personalized in-home care for Veterans, including personal care, skilled nursing, and post-hospital recovery support.
Contact us today to learn more about caregiving services! Our office is located at 14334 E Evans Ave, Aurora, CO 80014, United States. You may also call us at 303-300-6666.
We look forward to helping your loved one stay safe - no matter the hour!
The good news: there may be VA benefits that can help pay for support at home (or connect your loved one to services). Here’s a quick, practical guide for Central Denver families on what to look for, who may qualify, and how to start.
First, what kind of “in-home help” are we talking about?
VA-related in-home support can look like:
- Help with daily routines (bathing, dressing, meals, light housekeeping)
- Medication support and safety check-ins
- Help after a hospital stay (recovery support, fall prevention)
- Skilled nursing services (when clinically needed)
2 common VA pathways that can support care at home
1) VA Pension add-ons: Aid and Attendance or Housebound
If your loved one qualifies for a VA Pension, they may also qualify for additional monthly support through:- Aid and Attendance (A&A): available if a Veteran needs help with daily functions (like bathing, eating, dressing), is bedridden, is a nursing home patient, or has severe vision limits.
- Housebound: available if a Veteran is substantially confined to their home due to a permanent disability.
2) VA health care services: Home-based and long-term care supports
If your loved one is enrolled in VA health care, the VA may offer home-based and community services (part of long-term care/geriatric care).Think of this path as: services and supports connected to health care needs (often coordinated through the VA care team).
Quick “eligibility clues” families can check today
Here are simple signs your Veteran loved one may qualify for help:
- They need assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, or toileting
- They’re becoming unsteady, have fallen, or are afraid of falling
- Medications feel like a daily puzzle (missed doses, doubles, confusion)
- They’re home most of the time due to health limitations
- You’re providing more hands-on care than you expected and it’s becoming unsustainable
How to start the process (without getting overwhelmed)
Gather the basics
- Discharge papers (if recently hospitalized), medication list, diagnosis list
- Military paperwork if you have it (don’t panic if you don’t—still start)
Decide which lane fits best
- Need financial help? Explore VA Pension + A&A/Housebound.
- Need health-related services at home? Ask about VA home-based/community services.
Use VA’s official help options
- VA notes you can apply online, by phone, in person, or work with an accredited representative/agent (often free help).
- You can also call VA at 800-698-2411 for guidance.
Where BrightStar Care of Central Denver fits in
Even when benefits are available, families still need a plan for real life at home: safe routines, consistent support, and someone who can help you think through what kind of care actually matches the situation.BrightStar Care of Central Denver can help you:
- Identify what support would reduce risk at home right now
- Create a care plan that can adapt as needs change
- Provide professional in-home care while you pursue benefit options
FAQs
1) Who qualifies for VA Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is an increased monthly pension amount for eligible Veterans who meet certain conditions such as needing help with daily functions like bathing, eating, or dressing; being bedridden; being a nursing home patient; or having severe vision limitations.
2) What does “Housebound” mean for VA benefits?
Housebound is an increased monthly pension amount for eligible Veterans who are substantially confined to their immediate premises because of a permanent disability.
3) What VA options exist for care at home (besides a pension benefit)?
VA describes geriatric and long-term care programs that can be provided at home, at VA medical centers, or in the community, including Home Based and Community Services as part of long-term care supports.
Contact Us for Veteran Care Support!
If you’re caring for a Veteran and aren’t sure where to start—or how to connect benefits with real, day-to-day support, we’re here to help. BrightStar Care of Central Denver provides personalized in-home care for Veterans, including personal care, skilled nursing, and post-hospital recovery support.Contact us today to learn more about caregiving services! Our office is located at 14334 E Evans Ave, Aurora, CO 80014, United States. You may also call us at 303-300-6666.
We look forward to helping your loved one stay safe - no matter the hour!