Veterans' Assisted Living Options

What is VA Assisted Living?

VA assisted living takes on different forms depending on the veteran's needs. The VA offers its most comprehensive care to aging veterans whose service-related health problems or disabilities require them to receive skilled nursing assistance in a nursing home (also called a VA community living center). These community living centers are located in or near VA medical centers around the U.S.

Less needy vets, however, can enjoy other veterans' assisted living benefits such as adult day health care, homemaker aide services and community residential care. While these types of assisted living for veterans are often not as comprehensive as skilled-nursing facilities, they nevertheless covered 59 percent of the VA's extended care patient population in 2009.*

How Assisted Living for Veterans is Different

Assisted living for veterans is similar to typical senior populations in that the majority of aging vets prefer to remain in their home environments, with applicable aides and adaptations, for as long as possible(this movement is called "Aging in Place"). Therefore, many vets seek out home-based veterans' assisted living benefits before opting for a VA community living center or state veterans' nursing home.

VA assisted living is different from typical senior care options in that VA services often uphold stricter admission criteria. To help meet the growing number veteran's assisted living needs, the VA has contracted with an additional 2,500 privately owned nursing homes to offer vets fully or partially covered geriatric long-term care.

Typical Veterans' Assisted Living Benefits

A general overview of possible benefits that apply to aging veterans is below:

• Adult day services
• Domiciliary care
• Home health care
• Hospice care
• Medical centers and outpatient clinics
• Rehabilitative care
• Respite care
• Skilled-nursing care
• Vet counseling centers

For more information, visit the VA Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care website.

Find Veterans' Assisted Living Today

If you or your loved one served our nation, you'll do well to look into subsidies and benefits that might help you pay for veterans' or VA assisted living. Whether you prefer to spend time in a VA community living center with comrades who understand your experiences, or you'd rather enjoy retirement at a private assisted living facility (while enjoying veterans' assisted living benefits and subsidies), there could be options for you. Fill out the form at the top of this page to browse veteran's assisted living homes. If you would prefer to speak directly with someone, call the number at the top of this page to be connected to a local elder care advisor in your area who can help you find assisted living for veterans today, free of charge.

* Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs