Older military veterans are eligible for additional benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support their needs in areas such as financial assistance and healthcare.

1. VA Aid and Attendance (A&A)

This benefit provides additional cash for in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care on top of existing pension benefits. Eligible senior veterans must meet certain criteria. To be eligible, they must:

• Be 65 years or older
• Be a wartime veteran
• Need assistance with daily activities
• Be bedridden due to injury or illness
• Live in a nursing home patient
• Have very limited eye vision or blindness
2. Housebound

Aging veterans who cannot leave home due to disease or permanent disability can receive additional financial assistance through the Housebound benefit, which is provided on top of existing disability compensation.

3. Long-Term Care


VA Long Term Care offers healthcare programs for elderly veterans who require everyday assistance due to critical injury or illness. Services can be provided at home, VA medical facilities, or nursing homes. Eligibility is determined based on health condition, age, and military service history.

Eligibility for Long-Term Care

To be eligible for Long Term Care, veterans must first apply for VA health benefits and receive care at a VA facility regularly. Once enrolled, they can access various services such as Adult Day Health Care, Skilled Home Health Care, and Respite Care based on individual needs and availability.

Please note that the Department of Veterans Affairs has specific eligibility criteria and processes for each benefit, and it is advisable for veterans to consult with VA representatives or visit the official VA website for accurate and up-to-date information.

4. Nursing Homes


The Department of Veterans Affairs offers Nursing Home services to eligible veterans, with some services partially funded and others requiring out-of-pocket costs from the veteran.

State Veterans Homes
These are state-owned facilities that serve as nursing homes or adult day care centers for elderly veterans. Funding from the VA may be provided to offset medical expenses, but eligibility and costs vary by state.

VA Community Living Centers (CLC)
These are nursing homes with 24/7 skilled nursing care, geriatric management, and restorative care for veterans. Eligibility is based on medical need and availability in the veteran’s area.

Community Nursing Homes
These are nursing homes with contracts with the VA to provide around-the-clock care for veterans. The VA may cover the cost if the veteran meets disability, countable income, and service requirements.

5. Residential Care

Medical Foster Homes
These are private homes with skilled nursing professionals providing 24/7 assistance to a few individuals. It is not paid for by the VA, and eligibility requires enrollment in Home-Based Primary Care.

Assisted Living
Veterans can rent a room in an assisted living facility where caregivers are available 24 hours a day. Additional healthcare may be provided by the VA through trained medical professionals based on clinical need and local availability.

Adult Family Homes
These are private homes with a few residents and a caregiver available around the clock. Rent is not paid by the VA, but the VA may cover visits by medical professionals for eligible veterans.

Community Residential Care (CRC)
This is a program for elderly veterans who require personal care but not professional medical assistance daily. Veterans receive room, board, and limited personal care at over 550 locations, and they pay rent from VA compensation, pension, or other sources.

Traumatic Brain Injury Residential Rehab (TBI-RR)
This is a program for veterans with brain injuries requiring treatment not fully provided in outpatient facilities or nursing homes. The VA pays for services, but veterans must pay for room and board, typically $30-40 per day.

6. Home-Based and Community Services

Adult Day Health Care
This program provides care and recreational activities during the daytime for veterans who need assistance or are isolated. Eligible elderly veterans enrolled in VA health benefits with a clinical need can participate.

Remote Monitoring Care
This is a service where a veteran’s doctor or nurse uses monitoring equipment to remotely observe their health condition while they are at home.

Home-Based Primary Care
These are healthcare services delivered to elderly veterans living at home who have ongoing illnesses or disabilities that require routine care. Eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare with a need for the service can qualify.

Homemaker & Home Aide Care
Trained individuals visit veterans’ homes to assist with daily activities like eating, bathing, and grocery shopping.

Veteran-Directed Care
This program is for isolated senior veterans or those needing daily assistance with activities like eating or bathing. Veterans are given a budget to hire caregivers to support their independent living.

Hospice Care
These comfort services are for elderly veterans and their families when the veteran has a terminal illness with less than six months to live. This care can also be extended to a surviving spouse after the veteran’s passing. Eligible veterans enrolled in VA health benefits who meet the condition are eligible.

Palliative Care
These services are aimed at providing relief and symptom management for elderly veterans with illnesses or disabilities. Available to aging veterans showing a need for palliative care.

Skilled Home Health Care
Temporary care is provided to elderly veterans transitioning from a hospital or nursing home back to their own homes. Skilled health professionals contracted by the VA offer this service to veterans in need.

Respite Care
This type of care allows family caregivers to take a break by providing care for the veteran while the caregiver is away. Respite care can be provided in-home by a professional caregiver or at a nursing home or adult day care center for temporary visits.

How to Apply for Elderly Veterans Benefits
To apply for elderly veterans benefits, applicants can submit applications in person at a regional Department of Veterans Affairs office, online through VA.gov, or with the assistance of a local Veterans Service Organization (VSO). Necessary documents include military discharge papers, household income details, insurance information, and social security number.