How the Aid and Attendance benefit helps veterans in Kansas

Receiving aid with daily tasks can make a significant improvement in the quality of life for Kansas seniors. For those who served the country bravely, the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Pension program is available to help make this level of improvement a little more attainable. Eligible Kansas vets and their surviving spouses can qualify should they need aid in various activities for daily living (also known as ADLs). These tasks could include rudimentary functions like dressing, bathing, eating, transportation for errands and appointments, and medication management, although it should be noted that eligible applicants don’t need to require aid with everything in order to qualify. A&A recipients can also utilize these funds to help pay for costs associated with home care, skilled nursing home care, or assisted living.

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The application process in order to receive this Aid and Attendance benefit is a long one; it may take several months from start to finish. Yet applicants that do get approved will receive benefits that are retroactive to their original application date. For veterans that are worried that the process may be a bit daunting, they can take comfort in knowing that there is a wide level of resources that are available to help initiate the process or get aid in any veteran-related benefit. The Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs provides the state’s veterans with a full complement of services built to help them out. This includes assisted living homes, legal aid, help with Veterans Administration claims, and more. What’s more, the organization works in concert with Kansas’ County Veteran Service Offices (CVSO) in order to help vets and their families with benefits, referrals, and general advocacy services. To find the closest CVSO nearest you, visit www.kcva.ks.gov and click the Veteran Services tab.

What is assisted living like?

There is some variance in assisted living facilities. The facilities that are located in larger cities like Wichita will be ideal for those that still want to be close to metropolitan perks such as restaurants, shops, and cultural activities. On the flip side, those who prefer the quiet nature of suburbia may gravitate toward an assisted living community in a bedroom community, where parks and familiar chain retailers rule the day.

The facilities also have variances based on interests. Some places are run by religious organizations and feature various activities and observances that are in line with the particular faith’s belief system. There are also homes that are wholly dedicated to serving veterans, which may be of interest to vets that want to spend their days enjoying the inimitable spark of camaraderie amongst those that have proudly served their country.

Each assisted living facility is home to various services that are contained within the monthly room and board fee. Basic services typically include key elements for proper senior care-fueled living, such as private living spaces, 24-hour security and nurse access, call buttons in the rooms in case of a sudden emergency, meals, housekeeping, utilities, and laundry. These essential services can be augmented for an extra fee. Extra services that could be added include salon care, massage therapy, and personalized laundry and transportation service. Because these latter services vary from venue to venue, it is always a wise idea to research to see what is included and what is constituted as an add-on perk at every assisted living facility considered. It is also prudent to ask if the facility also offers continuum of care, in which a resident can stay on the campus should their assisted living needs change over time.

What does assisted living cost in Kansas?

According to data culled from Genworth’s 2016 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in Kansas is $46,350 per year, which is above the average nationwide cost of $43,539. This price tag translates to a monthly cost of $3,863 and a daily cost of $127. Precise costs will vary based on the city and the region that the facility is located in. The state’s annual home health care costs check in at $45,760 for homemaker services and $46,332 for home health aide services. It also represents a substantial savings in comparison to Kansas’ nursing home care costs, which can break down to an annual cost of $62,415 for a semi-private room and $67,525 for a private room.

Veterans and their spouses that do qualify for the A&A Pension Benefit can utilize the benefits they receive to help cover the assisted living costs. The benefit can provide upwards of $1,794 per month to a vet, $1,153 per month to a surviving spouse, or $2,127 per month to a couple. A veteran that files with a sick spouse can be eligible for as much as $1,410 per month.

Resources and recreation for veterans in Kansas

The Kansas Commission of Veterans Affairs operates a vast array of programs designed serve and support the state’s numerous veterans, from specialized support groups and housing services to e-mail updates regarding events. Kansas is also home to numerous museum-themed points of interest that could make for great destinations for a day out, an assisted living field trip, or for the times when the family comes into town. Several of the destinations also have programs where veterans can volunteer, which allow them to share their stories and expertise with tourists of all ages.

One of the largest points of interests is the Kansas Museum of Military History, which was formerly known as the Augusta Air Museum. This massive museum is home to several exhibits that demonstrate the state’s connection to the country’s military history, spanning from the Civil War to current conflicts. If you visit Topeka Regional Airport, you will have the chance to visit the Combat Air Museum and its nice collection of vintage fighter planes.