Follow
Share

I have reported under other topics about getting my dad the right long term care, and it has been a hassle. Earlier, we had looked into VA contracted homes but there are not many, there are even fewer convenient to my moms house, and I read those who do accept VA are often bottom of the barrel. The SW said she knew of at least one that was very nice that does accept VA, and while it is not close to my mom, it is not so far from my brother and me. However, I get different opinions on who qualifies. When my dad was discharged from hospital, the SW there said any WWII era vet qualifies. However, I talked to the SNF today and they said you had to have a certain level of disability. Which is it? I have tried calling SW at VA, country veteran service officer, and get different info everywhere.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Karsten, I think you should just call up that VA nursing home and tell them that you'd like to move Dad there. Assume that if he's a WW no get, he qualifies. Just start the process and assume theres no issue.

Tell me what the worse is that could happen? They charge him private rates ? ( you apply for Medicaid).
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

my dad doesn't qualify for Medicaid. I guess we might go to this particular one if it were free or highly subsidized, but woudlont be our first pick if we paid private pay.

But the SW at the hospital said any WWII era vet gets free SNF at VA contracted homes, but the SNF said she doesn't think that's not true.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/veterans-eligibility-va-nursing-home-care.html

Found this on the Nolo website.

Call the contracted VA home admissions department.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Karsten, would this be an alternative to the memory care facility your father is in now?

If you're serious about a VA facility, try to find a local VA office through your county, and ask them. They're qualified to answer questions on VA benefits.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

OK, update. I went over to the SNF the hospice SW had recommended as she knew of the issues we were having with the current memory care. She said this place has contracts with the VA. I called all the different VA offices and the word is he had to be assigned at least a 70% service related disability, and lucky for him, he never had any service related disability. But others said that is a standard line. I visited this place today which is not as nice environmentally as his current memory care where he has his own suite, but the admission lady checked with her VA contact and left a message tonight saying he would qualify. What I don't know is what she meant by qualifying. Qualifying to get in ? Well anyone can do that. Qualified for a reduced rate, and if so how much? Or qualify for a totally free stay. If that was the case it would be hard to not move there. But I am tired of having to move my dad around all the time . This place would be much closer to my brother and me, but much further for my mom. Of course if it was free, she could justify a lot of taxi rides. Anyway, I guess if we felt the care at his current MC will not improve it would be a no brainer. If it does improve, I would prefer he be in a nice environment close to my mom - but if its the difference between paying six grand a month and zero a month that means something too. Also if I thought my dad had very little time, I would keep him where hes at or even move him to my moms house. But if it was a lot of time, a free stay for a year would mean a lot. I don't really get it thought. In the past I was told my dads disability level was too low, as in none, and their assets were too high to qualify for any VA help.















4
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

"But the SW at the hospital said any WWII era vet gets free SNF at VA contracted homes, but the SNF said she doesn't think that's not true."


The SNF is correct. Benefits are based on Priority Groups. You Dad is assigned to a priority group depending on a lot of things, including his financial situation. Start by finding out what is his current prior group assignment. The VA's website has lots of good info.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Thanks jjariz. I have tried understanding this VA stuff and find it impossible. My dad is not disable from his service time, and while not rich his assets are greater than what I understand the threshold is. But I did not know about that priority group assignment is. The County Veteran Service Officer and the SW at the VA told me he flat out does not qualify. But the admissions person at the SNF has a mole at the VA who told her he does qualify.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I got to the bottom of this today. It turns out my dad DOES qualify for a full ride at a VA contracted nursing home. In the past, the VA people said he did not as he was not 70% service related disabled. So we did not pursue that anymore and have been paying for his care at first an SNF and now a MC. Some here know we have had some issues with the MC for which we had a care conference today.

BUT, he the VA today said he DOES qualify for free at an SNF, not because he has service related disability, but because he is now on hospice. NO VA person told us that before, otherwise he could have had free care for the last six weeks. Even now, still sketchy about moving him once again, but if it means a savings of 6-10 thousand a month, I don't know how we cant.

So with this VA stuff you really have to dig around to many VA people. In retrospect, it would have been better to simply go to a VA contracted SNF and have them investigate whether he qualifies. That's what eventually happened here. Perhaps some insights for others.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Thanks for the follow up, Karsten.

Have you been dealing, all along, with a NAELA or CELA certified eldercare attorney?
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

No, we have not. Probably big mistake.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter