Long-Term Care Considerations for Military Families
Military families often face challenges. Planning for the future is no exception. One important thing to think about is long-term care. This means making sure that you or a loved one has the help you need as you get older or when you require more hands-on care. Here are a few things to consider when planning for long-term care as a military family.
Understanding Long-Term Care
Long-term care helps people with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or eating. When people need help with these things, they often turn to a family member, but there are nurses and aides who may help too.
Long-term care may also refer to medical care provided to people with chronic health problems or disabilities that require a long period of treatment. Long-term care is usually provided in the patient’s home, a community center, or a facility like a nursing home.
Using TRICARE Benefits
If your family belongs to the military, you might be able to use TRICARE’s health care coverage. However, in most cases, TRICARE only covers a portion of long-term care expenses. For example, TRICARE doesn’t cover the cost of skilled nursing facility care or full-time care at home. When investigating your long-term care options, you may want to talk to a TRICARE representative to see what they do and don’t cover.
Looking Into VA Benefits
If you or your elderly parent is a service-connected veteran or eligible spouse of a deceased service-connected veteran, you may qualify for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Benefits might include a daily stipend for home-based care, plus assisted living and nursing home care. The application process takes time, so apply early. These benefits support your long-term care planning.
Choosing the Right Care
For those contemplating the future of care, it’s time to take a practical approach. If returning home makes sense for you or your loved one, then staying at home could be an option with "home help" and support from family members and caregivers. Or a better option may be returning to an assisted living facility or nursing home. Whatever your decision, be sure to engage in candid discussions with your family regarding what works for your circumstances.
Talking About Your Wishes
You should have conversations with other family members about potential long-term care needs, how those care needs might manifest themselves, and what kinds of care each of you find acceptable in order to ensure that your interests are taken care of when the time comes.
Getting Help and Support
Military families have many resources available to help with long-term care planning. Talk to a military family support center on your installation or base. Call a TRICARE representative. Meet with a VA counselor to learn about all of your options and to make a family decision.
Planning for long-term care now gives your military family some sense of knowing that you or a loved one may get the care they need. By understanding your benefits, learning how to plan for future costs, and starting the conversation with your family, you may work toward having a detailed long-term care plan.
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