Questions Veterans' Families Should Ask When Exploring In-Home Care

If your loved one is a Veteran and you are exploring in-home care, you may have questions about what kind of care is needed, what VA benefits are available, and how to choose a provider. This article offers a structured set of questions to guide your exploration.

Questions About Care Needs

Start by understanding what your loved one actually needs:

• ✓What daily activities does your loved one need help with? (Bathing, dressing, meals, medication, mobility, toileting)
• ✓How many hours of help per week would make a meaningful difference?
• ✓Are there specific times of day when help is most needed? (Mornings, evenings, overnight)
• ✓Does your loved one have any conditions that require specialized care? (Dementia, PTSD, diabetes, wound care)
• ✓Is your loved one at risk of falling, wandering, or other safety issues?
• ✓Does your loved one need transportation to appointments, errands, or social activities?
• ✓Would companionship and social interaction be helpful?
• ✓How does your loved one feel about having a caregiver come to the home?

For more on assessing needs, see our article on signs an aging parent needs help.

Questions About VA Eligibility

VA benefits can help cover the cost of care, but eligibility varies by program:

• ✓Is your loved one enrolled in VA health care?
• ✓What was their service history? (Dates of service, type of discharge, wartime service)
• ✓Are they eligible for VA Aid and Attendance?
• ✓Are they eligible for VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide services?
• ✓Is Veteran-Directed Care available in their area?
• ✓Are they eligible for VA respite care?
• ✓Are there other VA programs that might help? (Geriatrics and Extended Care, Community Care)
• ✓If they are a surviving spouse of a Veteran, are they eligible for any benefits?

For more on VA programs, see our article on home care options for Veterans and our Veterans program page.

Questions About Provider Requirements

When choosing a care provider, ask:

• ✓Does the agency work with VA programs?
• ✓Can the agency accept Aid and Attendance payments?
• ✓Are the caregivers background-checked, bonded, and insured?
• ✓Are the caregivers trained in the specific care your loved one needs? (Dementia care, post-surgical recovery, PTSD support)
• ✓How does the agency match caregivers to clients?
• ✓What happens if the regular caregiver is unavailable? Is there a backup?
• ✓How does the agency handle scheduling changes?
• ✓What are the minimum visit hours?
• ✓Does the agency provide overnight or live-in care?
• ✓How does the agency communicate with family members?
• ✓What is the process for addressing concerns or changing the care plan?

Questions About Scheduling

• ✓How many hours per week does the care plan recommend?
• ✓What days and times work best for your loved one?
• ✓Does the schedule need to align with family caregiver availability?
• ✓Are there specific times when help is critical? (Morning routine, medication times, bedtime)
• ✓Will the schedule need to change over time as needs change?
• ✓Can the agency accommodate a flexible schedule?

See our article on creating a family caregiving schedule for help combining family and professional care.

Questions About Home Safety

• ✓Is the home safe for your loved one to receive care in?
• ✓Are there fall hazards that need to be addressed? (Loose rugs, poor lighting, clutter)
• ✓Is the bathroom safe? (Grab bars, non-slip mat, shower chair)
• ✓Does your loved one need any home modifications? (Ramp, stair lift, widened doorways)
• ✓Are there safety concerns related to your loved one's conditions? (Wandering, dementia, fall risk)

See our room-by-room home safety checklist for a comprehensive guide.

Questions About Documentation

• ✓Does the VA need documentation of the need for care?
• ✓What medical records will be needed?
• ✓Does the care provider need a care plan from a doctor?
• ✓What documents does the VA need for Aid and Attendance? (DD214, marriage certificate, financial records)
• ✓How should care be documented for VA reporting purposes?
• ✓What records should the family keep for tax or insurance purposes?

See our article on what to keep in a senior care binder for a comprehensive system.

Questions About Caregiver Matching

The relationship between caregiver and client is important:

• ✓How does the agency match caregivers to clients?
• ✓Can you request a caregiver with specific experience or skills?
• ✓Can you meet the caregiver before care starts?
• ✓What happens if the match is not a good fit?
• ✓Can you request a different caregiver if needed?
• ✓For Veterans, can the agency provide a caregiver who understands military culture or has experience with Veterans?

Questions About Cost and Authorization

• ✓What is the hourly rate for care?
• ✓Does the VA cover the full cost, or is there a gap?
• ✓If using Aid and Attendance, how does the payment process work?
• ✓Are there any out-of-pocket costs?
• ✓What happens if VA benefits are delayed or denied?
• ✓Can the agency bill the VA directly, or does the family pay and get reimbursed?
• ✓What is the process for increasing hours if needs change?

See our article on understanding home care costs for more on how costs work.

Questions About the Care Plan

• ✓How is the care plan developed?
• ✓Who is involved in creating it?
• ✓How often is it reviewed and updated?
• ✓Can family members provide input?
• ✓What happens if needs change?
• ✓How does the agency communicate with the VA care coordinator?
• ✓How are changes in condition documented and reported?

A Note on Military Culture

Veterans may have specific preferences or concerns related to their military service:

• ✓They may prefer a caregiver who understands military culture
• ✓They may have PTSD or other service-related conditions that affect care
• ✓They may be more comfortable with a caregiver of a specific gender
• ✓They may have strong feelings about accepting help, especially if they have always been independent
• ✓They may have specific routines or preferences related to their service

A good care provider will take these factors into account when matching a caregiver and developing a care plan.

Getting Started

If you are ready to explore in-home care for a Veteran loved one, here are the steps:

1. ✓Assess needs. What kind of help does your loved one need?
2. ✓Check VA eligibility. Contact the VA or a VSO to understand what benefits are available.
3. ✓Contact a care provider. Look for an agency that works with VA programs.
4. ✓Schedule a care assessment. A free assessment can help you understand what level of care fits.
5. ✓Develop a care plan. Work with the agency and the VA to create a plan.
6. ✓Start care. Begin with the agreed schedule and adjust as needed.

A Final Note

Exploring in-home care for a Veteran loved one involves understanding both care needs and VA benefits. The questions in this article can help you have productive conversations with the VA, care providers, and your family. Take it one step at a time, and do not hesitate to ask for help.

If you would like to explore in-home care for a Veteran, Healthy at Home offers a free care assessment. We can help you understand what care is needed and how to coordinate with VA benefits. See our Veterans program page for more.