Updated 5-29-23.

 

Veterans and their families deserve the best home healthcare possible. After all, they have made many sacrifices to protect the freedoms that all Americans enjoy. But it can be difficult for them to ask for help as they get older. Many would prefer to stay in the comfort of their home while remaining independent for as long as possible. That’s why it’s ideal if they can age in place while getting necessary services such as assistance with household chores, medication management, or nursing care.  In fact, Veterans Affairs is in the process of implementing a Redefining Elder Care in America Project (RECAP). The pilot project has two parts. First, the VHA will create a list of veterans at the highest risk for nursing home placement in the next two years using advanced analytics. Second, a geriatric coordinator will use the list to contact the veteran and caregiver proactively and assess their required needs for home or community care services. The goal is to see whether such interventions will improve aging in place for veterans. The VA hopes to apply a similar construct to preventing or delaying nursing home care, lessening the caregiver burden, decreasing hospitalization rates and emergency room visits, or addressing other high-risk situations.

In honor of the Memorial Day Holiday FirstLantic explores the home healthcare options available to our military heroes and their families.

Home Telehealth

Operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), home telehealth is an appealing option for many Veterans. They are still under the diligent care of a health team, but that team isn’t in their home. Instead, the caregivers continuously monitor a patient’s condition remotely using equipment set up in the house. If there’s a cause for concern, the care team consults with a physician and then calls the patient with information on how best to proceed. It’s a solution that works for many Veterans who may need help but do not need a live-in caregiver.

Home Health Aides (HHAs) or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)

If a Veteran requires assistance with everyday household tasks, transportation, meal preparation, or grocery shopping, HHAs can provide those services. This lightens the burden of daily chores and can also offer respite to family caregivers.  FirstLantic can assist you or your loved one in finding out eligibility for Veterans Pension and the Aide & Attendance Allowance to qualify for home care services.  Also, family caregivers are still eligible to receive reimbursement for travel and lodging, access to health insurance, training, a stipend, and mental health services.

Care Management

For those Veterans that may need someone to manage their day-to-day financial affairs, care coordination can provide the necessary help. A care manager can help with budgets, trust management, guardianship monitoring, coordination with medical and insurance providers, appointment setting, etc.. This person advocates for essential tasks outside the scope of healthcare needs.

Private Duty Nursing

Specially trained private duty nurses provide the level of care Veterans need to stay safely at home rather than in a nursing facility or hospital. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and therapists can perform medical tasks such as:

  • Administering and managing medication
  • Wound care
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
  • Private caregivers are also available during hospital stays.

At Firstlantic, we’re proud to support our aging veterans and their families and thank them for their service. Under a tax-free Veteran’s Administration program, we can provide help with housekeeping, food preparation, personal care, medication reminders, and more.

If you or someone you know needs home care assistance,  FirstLantic can help. We are locally owned and operated, providing our patients with the highest quality in-home care and placement services in Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) and Delray Beach (Palm Beach County) since 2000. Click here to contact us.

To read more of our blogs, click here.