Illinois is home to more than 820,000 U.S. veterans. Of those, more than 68,000 receive monthly disability compensation, and 9,000 receive pensions from the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA). Many qualify for VA home health care benefits, defined as "...any medically indicated supportive medical services prescribed by and under the direction of a VA physician." Elderly home-bound veterans in Illinois who are not disabled but need assistance to remain at home are also eligible.
Scope of Service
VA home health care provides all medical and support services that you need to live at home, including financial assistance for home modification. Qualified professionals supervise your care and provide training for safely operating medical devices. Family members and caregivers are given counseling and respite assistance. Terminally ill veterans are eligible for hospice and palliative care.
Homemaker/Home Health Aide (H/HHA) Services
Homemaker/Home Health Aide (H/HHA) aides perform a wide variety of tasks. Aides perform housekeeping chores such as grocery shopping, house cleaning and preparing and serving meals. They provide personal services such as bathing and dressing the patient, and assisting with personal hygiene. A home health aide can drive you to medical appointments, or arrange for transportation.
Medical Professionals
Your physician is in charge of your treatment regimen. Registered nurses oversee and coordinate delivery of day-to-day medical care. They make sure you take your medication correctly and change your dressings. Your nurse also assesses your overall health. Any type of therapy your doctor prescribes, such as physical therapy or speech therapy, is conducted by licensed therapists.
Hospice and Palliative Care
Palliative care relieves pain. It does not cure disease. Treatment slowing the progression of terminal illness sometimes has severe side effects. It can make you sick, or depressed, or cause pain and discomfort. You can decide only to treat the pain and allow the disease to run its course. Pain medication continues as long as you need it. At the appropriate time, you receive hospice services. Hospice is a team effort involving physicians, social workers, pastoral care and mental health professionals. They provide the medical, psychological, social and spiritual support needed to ease pain and sorrow.
Illinois Veterans Care
If you do not qualify for VA benefits, you might be entitled to benefits through the state of Illinois Veterans Care. There are several criteria, including lack of access to health care. There are also income restrictions. Home health care is one of the services they provide. You will find complete information on the Veterans Care website.
Availability of Services
Unfortunately, the VA has a waiting list for home health services. Due to the influx of veterans injured in recent wars, the amount of money budgeted is spent very quickly. You can get information about the VA health care benefits via postal mail or from its website. If you have any difficulty navigating the VA system, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs can help.
References
- Veteran Journal: Home Health Care Benefits for Veterans
- Department of Veterans Affairs: What is Home Health Care?
- Medline Plus: Palliative Care
- Department of Veterans Affairs: What Type of Home Health Services are Available?
- U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs: Special and Limited Benefits
- Department of Veterans Affairs: State Summary/
