Memorial Day is just around the corner and you may be wondering how to honor and recognize the veterans in your life. While attending a festival or visiting a veterans’ cemetery are both great ways to show your respect, one of the best ways to appreciate the veteran you love is to help plan for his or her long-term care. Many of us know that long-term care costs are continuing to rise. Unfortunately, this means that many veterans and their surviving spouses may struggle to afford the costs of in-home care. To help better inform you about this important issue, let us share with you a few tips for how you can care for the veteran in your life this Memorial Day.
1. Consider employing a caregiver.
If the veteran you love needs assistance with daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, and moving around, it may be time to consider employing a caregiver. There are different types of caregivers, so first it is important to assess the level of care the veteran in your life requires. Next, schedule an in-home visit so your loved one and the potential caregiver can get acquainted with one another and you can have peace of mind knowing your loved one will be well taken care of and comfortable with the person taking care of him or her.
2. Spend quality time with your loved one.
Caring for your veteran loved one is not always physical, it can be emotional too. Regardless of whether your loved one lives at home or in an assisted living facility, regularly spending some time with him or her can lift his or her spirits. You can take your loved one out for the day to a restaurant or shopping, or you can simply watch television together or share memories. Your loved one will undoubtedly appreciate the time!
3. Contact an experienced attorney to discuss long-term care plans.
One of the best ways to care for your veteran loved one is by helping prepare for his or her future. We encourage you to do this with the assistance of an experienced attorney who can determine whether your veteran loved one is eligible for any VA benefits, help apply for those benefits on your loved one’s behalf, and set up a plan to prepare for rising long-term care costs.
We know that the veteran you love requiring long-term care can be a challenging topic to think about. Planning ahead, however, is key to helping ensure the veteran in your life will be well-protected in the future. Do not wait to ask us your questions and schedule an appointment to start planning to protect the veteran you love.