Veterans Benefits in New Jersey

Posted in Uncategorized on June 12, 2017
Tags: military, state guide, tips for seniors, VA programs, veterans, veterans benefits

More than 413,000 veterans and their dependents call the state of New Jersey home, and their honorable service has earned them a long list of benefits. Veterans at times may need assistance accessing these benefits or connecting with the organizations whose goal is to assist veterans. A great place to start is the state’s veteran service organizations (VSOs).

If you are needing assistance filing a claim or have questions on benefits – including those relating to employment, education, burial, counseling, housing, social, and medical services – the state’s network of county-based VSOs and state-operated VSOs can be a valuable resource near to home. Additionally, the Veteran Organization VSO headquarters office located at 20 Washington Place in Newark serves as a contact point for nine additional service organizations such as the American Legion, Disabled War Veterans, religion-based VSOs, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The state of New Jersey also offers several unique programs that assist with veterans readjusting to civilian life, including the NJ Vet to Vet Helpline that connects veterans and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Operated by Rutgers University and funded by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, is a peer-counseling program for assessing a Veteran’s mental health needs, and offers veteran peer support, family support, clinical assessment, case management, and help with referrals. Veterans can reach the free hotline by calling (866) 838-7654.

Veterans dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and their families, can access help with another free helpline by contacting a Veterans’ Service Officer at (888) 8NJ-VETS. These State Veterans Service Officers can assist with scheduling counseling and filing of any applicable VA claims. Additionally, contracted clinicians experienced in PTSD counseling can help determine the best course of treatment for the veteran and family.

For veterans and their families, accessing quality health care is a primary concern, and the VA New Jersey  Health Care System has numerous medical care locations across the state, including two full medical centers in East Orange and Lyons, one outpatient clinic in Camden, and 16 community-based outpatient clinics. VA medical facilities offer a wide range of services and treatment, from primary care to specialties, drug and rehab programs, assistance for homeless veterans, referral services, and programs to support caregivers. You must be enrolled in the VA Health Care System to receive services, and you can begin the enrollement process online or download the form to mail in.

The New Jersey Transportation Program assists veterans in need of transportation by offering free transportation to VA medical centers and clinics, other hospitals, private physicians, VA Regional Offices, and local Veteran Service Offices. Contact your local Veterans Service Officer to make arrangements or contact the Veterans Benefits Bureau at (609) 530-6949.

For veterans looking to enjoy the nature and wildlife New Jersey has to offer, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife annually issues certain licenses for free to each qualified disabled veteran, including a firearm, bow and arrow, fishing or all-around hunting license, a pheasant and quail stamp, and a trout stamp.

New Jersey residents must be honorably discharged and declared by the VA to have a service-connected disability. For more information, you can call (908) 637-4125.

For New Jersey veteran seniors looking for affordable housing option, the state runs three Veteran Memorial Homes in Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland. The homes are open to veterans who were honorably discharged, as well as certain widows of eligible veterans and Gold Star parents. Around-the-clock medical and nursing care is provided by a full-time staff of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants. Rehabilitative services, such as occupational and physical therapies, speech therapy, and recreational therapy are provided under the direct supervision of licensed staff, as well as a wide range of additional services including dental, podiatric, ophthalmological care, and more. Support groups, counseling, and educational programs are also available in some locations.

The state of New Jersey is also home to two national veteran cemeteries, one in Beverly and one in Finn’s Point. Eligible veterans and certain dependents and spouses can receive free burial benefits at these or any of the 135 national cemeteries, including burial with military honors and perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Some veterans may also be eligible for a burial allowance. These national cemeteries also offer a solemn and beautiful site for families and fellow veterans to visit and reflect.

To find out what veterans benefits exist in other states in the U.S. please visit our complete Veterans Benefits by State guide here.

New Jersey Veterans Benefit for Assisted Living

The Aid and Attendance pension benefit is available to New Jersey senior veterans and their spouses to help pay for senior care like assisted living, home care, or nursing home care. Here is more information on how the Aid and Attendance benefit helps New Jersey veterans.

Written By Megan Hammons

 

New Jersey Veterans Benefits

Posted in on November 12, 2016

Veterans Assisted Living in New York City

Posted in on November 11, 2016

Naomi Parker Fraley, Rosie the Riveter, Dies at 96

Posted in Uncategorized on April 24, 2018

Naomi Parker Fraley, better known as “Rosie the Riveter,” featured in the infamous “We Can Do It” war propaganda poster, has passed away at 96.

Rosie the Riveter Dies at 96

In 1942, 20-year-old Naomi Parker Fraley was one of the many women who stepped up to the plate to support the U.S. war effort by joining the workforce.

She worked in the machine shop (performing duties such as riveting and patching the wings of planes) at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, when a photographer took a photo of her on the job. Wearing a naval mechanic jumpsuit and a red polka dot bandana around her head, her image later became an iconic poster for the feminist movement of the late 20^th century.

Perhaps one of the most interesting twists in the story is that for decades, Parker Fraley was not acknowledged as the real Rosie the Riveter. Part of the confusion that occurred over Rosie’s true identity stemmed from the fact that the name “Rosie the Riveter,” was used in several artifacts — including a famous Norman Rockwell image and wartime song.

For many years, a woman named Geraldine Hoff Doyle was depicted as Rosie the Riveter, stalling Parker Fraley's claim to fame for more than 70 years, until finally, a professor did some detective work to track down the real Rosie.

The History of Rosie

In 1943 Norman Rockwell designed an image that was featured on the cover of the May edition of the Saturday Evening Post, of a woman in a jumpsuit with a rivet gun and a lunchbox that read, “Rosie.” In Rockwell’s representation of the strong female laborer, Adolph Hitler’s book “Mein Kampf” was featured under Rosie’s foot. The model, who posed for Rockwell’s depiction of Rosie, was known as a woman from Vermont, named Mary Doyle Keefe.

Rockwell’s version of Rosie was associated with a popular wartime song released in 1943 (the same year that the Rockwell image was featured on the cover of the Post). The song was called “Rosie the Riveter.” It was written by Jacob Loeb and Redd Evans and told the story of a munitions worker who is “A part of the assembly line... she’s making history. Working for victory... Rosie the Riveter." But, the song was about a completely different Rosie; a Long Island woman who was a riveter on fighter planes, named Rosalind P. Walter.

At some point in history, between the two famous versions of Rosie, the wartime propaganda, “We Can Do It” poster was produced. The poster was briefly displayed by the Westinghouse company in 1943. The original poster was created by artist J. Howard Miller, to encourage women to join the wartime workforce. It became a famous historical World War II artifact, featuring a representation of a strong female factory worker.

In the 1980’s the “We Can Do It” poster became wildly popular again. The image was reprinted on coffee mugs and other marketing media to commemorate World War II. At the same time, it became a symbol for the women’s rights movement. The woman in the poster became the most widely recognized image of Rosie the Riveter.

From the 1980s, forward, Doyle was identified as the mysterious woman and real-life Rosie the Riveter up until Doyle’s death in 2010.

The Real Rosie the Riveter

James J. Kimble, an associate professor at Seton Hall University, in New Jersey, developed an interest in historical World War II propaganda used in the United States. The “We Can Do It” poster become an item of great significance to Kimble, who began a six-year search to find the person in the original illustration of Rosie the Riveter. The search for the real Rosie started in 2010, “It turns out that almost everything we think about Rosie the Riveter is wrong,” Kimble, told The Omaha World-Herald in 2016.

Kimble’s search for women who had worked in a Naval machine shop in the second world war, ruled out Doyle and eventually led to the discovery of Parker Fraley. In a 2016 article in the journal Rhetoric & Public Affairs, Dr. Kimble’s findings of “Rosie’s Secret Identity” were published. The report resulted in her being acknowledged at long last.

In 2016, when Kimble finally tracked Parker Fraley down, she was very happy to learn that someone was willing to acknowledge her as the real Rosie the Riveter. “The women of this country these days need some icons,” Parker Fraley said in a 2016 People magazine interview. “If they think I’m one, I’m happy.” She told People Magazine, “I didn’t want fame or fortune, but I did want my own identity.”

In an interview with the Omaha World-Herald newspaper, Naomi was asked what she felt about the public discovering that she was the real Rosie; her response was, “Victory! Victory! Victory!”

Sadly, less than two years after Parker Fraley received recognition for being the infamous Naval worker in the photograph, on January 20, 2018, she died at the age of 96.

This article is a tribute to her and to all the women who worked diligently to support the efforts of those who fought and served so bravely in World War II.

Written by Sherry Christiansen

Honoring World War II Military Chaplains

Posted in Uncategorized on March 27, 2018

The U.S. Army Transport (U.S.A.T.) Dorchester was a World War II troop ship that was hit by a German torpedo on February 3rd, 1943. The ship’s story became very famous due to the rescue efforts of many brave men, from the crew of nearby ships in the convoy, to the brave acts of the “Four Chaplains” who helped men escape the sinking ship by sacrificing their own lives.

After the invasion of German troops into Denmark, United States Army soldiers were deployed to Greenland, to protect the island and break up an establishment of Nazi bases. The U.S. Army transport, the Dorchester, was part of a convoy traveling from the United States to Greenland. The Dorchester was carrying over 900 men headed for an Army Command Base in southern Greenland — but the ship never arrived at its destination, because it was struck by a torpedo fired by a German U-boat.

Honoring the World War II Military Chaplains

On board were four World War II military chaplains, including:

1. Alexander D. Goode, a Rabbi and native of Pennsylvania
2. Clark V. Poling, a minister from New York
3. George L. Fox, a decorated World War I veteran and Methodist minister from Vermont
4. John P. Washington, a Catholic Priest from New Jersey

The four chaplains went down in the history books, because of their bravery in helping to save military personnel, as the ship sank within 20 minutes of the German submarine attack. All four chaplains worked diligently, staying aboard the sinking Dorchester and surrendering their life jackets, in a brave and selfless act, aimed at helping the men who jumped into the treacherous icy waters of the North Atlantic to escape the sinking ship.

The Four Chaplains are referred to today as "immortal" for the selfless actions and sacrifices they made on that perilous day in February.

Other Brave Heroes

The story not only involves the brave acts of the Four Chaplains, in addition, there were many other men who acted with courage to help their fellow sailors, officers and soldiers, who were in danger. The death toll ended up being around 700, but 200 men survived, all with inspirational stories of bravery regarding what transpired that day.

The USCG Escabana and the USCG Comanche ships were nearby at the time of the German U Boat attack on the Dorchester. Here are some of the true-life stories of the survivors that are still on record today, preserved in the National Archives:

• Lt. Robert H. Prause worked to develop an innovative way of quickly assisting the men who were swimming in the freezing waters of the Arctic seas. Volunteers (called rescue swimmers) donned rubber suits, tied a rope around themselves and jumped into the water to save many of the drowning men who escaped the sinking Dorchester that morning.
• The Comanche and Escanaba, were U.S. Coast Guard Cutters escorting the Dorchester when it was hit by the German torpedo. Both coast guard cutters undertook rescue operations as its crew worked diligently in the icy waters and heavy seas to save nearly 100 survivors.
• The members of the USCG Comanche did not have rubber suits to wear to protect them from the freezing waters, but rather they worked diligently using a cargo net, to climb down into the water, grabbing the survivors, and pulling them up to safety on their ship.  Many rescue volunteers suffered from hypothermia, as brave men, such as Stewards-Mate First Class Charles W. David Jr. (from the Comanche) not only helped to save the victims of the sinking Dorchester, but he also assisted his fellow volunteers (who developed hypothermia from being in the cold icy waters for so long). Unfortunately, David did not survive the ordeal. A few days after the attack on the Dorchester, he developed pneumonia and died. Stewards-Mate First Class Charles W. David was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his bravery, which was received by his wife and son, Kathleen and Neil David.

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation

On February 3, 1951, a movement began to honor the bravery that the Four Chaplains displayed on that precarious day, nearly a decade earlier. The organization was started by Reverend Daniel Poling (father of Chaplain Poling) to commemorate his son’s (and the other three interfaith chaplains’) bravery and courage. The organization advocates for and honors the legacy of the Four Chaplains aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester in 1943.

President Harry S. Truman gave a dedication speech in honor of the brave men who risked their lives, and the many who died, because of the sinking of the Dorchester. In his dedication speech, Truman said, “This interfaith shrine… will stand through long generations to teach Americans that as men can die heroically as brothers so should they live together in mutual faith and goodwill.”

Click below to view the video featuring the story of the Four Chaplains, told by Judge Barry Sax, a retired Department of Defense Administrative Judge, historian and member of the Board of Directors of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Written by Sherry Christiansen

10 Largest National Veterans Cemeteries in the U.S.

Posted in Uncategorized on October 2, 2017
Tags: history, military, veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) National Cemetery Administration maintains 135 national cemeteries in 40 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldier's lots and monument sites. These sites range from very small – less than a half acre in size – to more than a 1,000 acres. Regardless of the size, these serene locations offer a chance for veterans and civilians to pay their respect, reflect, and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Below are the 10 largest national veterans cemeteries in the United States.

Calverton National Cemetery

Location: Calverton, NY

Size: 1,045 acres

Not only is Calverton National Cemetery the largest of any national cemetery in the U.S., it is also one of the busiest, conducting more than 7,000 burials each year. Constructed in 1978, it became the third national cemetery located on Long Island, after the existing cemeteries were reaching capacity and the state needed a new regional cemetery to serve the greater New York area, home then to nearly three million veterans and their dependents. The site was originally designed with an innovative “wheel” of committal shelters, radiating out from a center location, so that multiple burial services could be held simultaneously. Today, the walls of these shelters have been converted into a columbaria for the inurnment of cremated remains. The cemetery also features a memorial pathway lined memorials that honor America’s veterans, most commemorating soldiers of 20th century wars.

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

Location: Elwood, IL

Size: 982 acres

Located about 50 miles southwest of Chicago, this cemetery was dedicated in 1999 and became the 117th national cemetery within the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration. When fully developed, it will provide 400,000 burial spaces. The cemetery is named after President Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States and founder of the National Cemetery system, who worked and lived in Illinois. A life-sized bronze statue of Lincoln stands in the cemetery, along with a Blue Star Memorial Marker, and an 18-foot granite obelisk topped by a bronze eagle commemorating the 2,403 Americans who died in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Riverside National Cemetery

Location: Riverside, CA

Size: 921 acres

Since the year 2000, this cemetery has been the most active cemetery in the National Cemetery system, based on the number of interments. Established in 1976, its rolling landscape features a central boulevard with memorial circles, lakes, indigenous-styled committal shelters, and a memorial amphitheater. It is home to the Medal of Honor Memorial – whose walls feature the names of all Medal recipients. The cemetery is the final resting place of five Medal of Honor recipients, a Distinguished Cross recipient, and several members of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first aviators of African descent. Numerous dramatic and beautiful memorial sculptures grace the cemetery, including the POW Memorial bronze statue which depicts an American serviceman on his knees with hands bound by his captors, surrounded by black marble pillars that evoke imprisonment.

Georgia National Cemetery

Size: 775 acres

Location: Canton, Georgia

Located in Cherokee County, this cemetery was opened in 2006 and has been undergoing development with the intention of servicing the interment needs of U.S. military veterans and their families for the next 50 years. Offering views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Allatoona, it includes a total of 33,000 full-casket gravesites, 3,000 in-ground sites for cremation remains, and 3,000 columbaria niches for cremation remains. The property on which the cemetery rests was donated by Scott Hudgens, the late Atlanta World War II veteran, land developer and philanthropist.

Fort Custer National Cemetery

Location: Augusta, Michigan

Size: 770 acres

Fort Custer was named after General George Armstrong Custer, a native of the state of Michigan. The establishment of Fort Custer Post Cemetery took place on Sept. 18, 1943, with the first interment; the site became officially the Fort Custer National Cemetery in September 1981 with its first burial under the new classification taking place on June 1, 1982. Today the cemetery is the final resting place to more than 30,000 veterans. The cemetery features a memorial pathway lined with more than 30 memorials that honor America’s veterans, donated by various organizations, and an impressive Avenue of Flags composed of 152 flagpoles located along the main road, and an additional 50 flagpoles arranged in a semi-circle at the head of the thoroughfare.

Massachusetts National Cemetery

Location: Bourne, MA

Size: 749 acres

Located 65 miles southeast of Boston and adjacent to the Otis Air Force Base, this land became the first parcel acquired by the National Cemetery System for the specific purpose of building a new national cemetery since 1949. When it was dedicated on October 11, 1980, it became the third new national cemetery to open in nearly 30 years (after Calverton, New York, and Riverside, California, were the first and second, respectively). More than 46,000 interments have taken place here, including two Medal of Honor recipients, and one burial of an Unknown Soldier from the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry whose body was unearthed during a highway excavation in South Carolina in the 1980s. The cemetery also is home to a memorial trail featuring 47 memorials and a carillon erected in memory of veterans from World War I to the modern era.

Quantico National Cemetery

Location: Triangle, VI

Size: 725 acres

Quantico National Cemetery is located on land that has been used by the military for over 200 years: first, around 1775 by the Commonwealth of Virginia for Navy operations, and later, as a blockade point for the Confederate army during the Civil War. In 1918 a permanent Marine base was established at Quantico, and the Marine Corps donated land for the cemetery in 1977; the cemetery was formally dedicated in 1983. The cemetery is home to nine memorials, including those honoring Edson’s Raiders, Purple Heart recipients, well-known Marines, and Virginia veterans.

Indiantown Gap National Cemetery

Location: Annville, PA

Size: 677 acres

Indiantown Gap derives its name from the various Native American communities that resided in this region of Pennsylvania; the first inhabitants were Susquehannocks, an Iroquois tribe. In the 1930s, it became a training area for the U.S. Army and control of the facility was turned over to the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1998. In 1976, a section of Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation was selected as the national cemetery for the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia. Today it is the final resting place for more than 44,000 veterans. The cemetery’s elaborate Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial is the largest monument in VA’s National cemeteries. The combination open-air space and building stands 107 feet high and 360 feet long, and recreates the feeling of a war-torn building in a land of solemnity.

Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery

Size: 638 acres

Location: Dallas, TX

Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery is the sixth national cemetery in Texas and the 118th in the national cemetery system. Currently, more than 1.5 million veterans live in the state of Texas and approximately 460,000 reside in the cemetery's service area. When fully developed, the cemetery will serve as a final resting place for more than 280,000 eligible veterans and dependents. The cemetery features a memorial walkway lined with more than 50 memorials that honor America’s veterans, donated by various organizations, most commemorating events and troops of the 20th century wars.

Fort Jackson National Cemetery

Size: 585 acres

Location: Columbia, SC

This cemetery is located on property formerly held by Fort Jackson and will serve veterans' needs well into the next century. The Fort Jackson National Cemetery joins two existing civil war cemeteries in South Carolina, the Florence National Cemetery and the Beaufort National Cemetery. The 50-acre interment area provides space for 5,704 full-casket gravesites, including 4,224 pre-placed crypts, 1,085 in-ground cremation sites, and 2,000 columbarium niches. The cemetery also includes an administration and public information center, public restrooms, a maintenance facility, a cemetery entrance area, committal shelters for funeral services, a flag assembly area, and supporting infrastructure such as roads.

Written by Megan Hammons

 

Veterans Benefits by State

Posted in Uncategorized on June 13, 2017
Tags: military, state guide, VA programs, veterans, veterans benefits

While the federal veterans benefits are more widely known, the local benefits can vary greatly depending on the state. Some state benefits may include support groups, local VA facilities, discounts, and education benefits.

As far as the quality and quantity of the benefits they provide, some states are ranked more highly for state veterans benefits while others need some work. For senior vets in particular we have already featured an article about the best and worst states for veterans senior care.

VeteranAid.org has made it easier for you to find the state veteran's benefits you are looking for. Find your state below. You never know what benefits you could be missing out on!

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado 
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

The Best and Worst States for Veteran Senior Care

Posted in Uncategorized on May 11, 2017
Tags: state guide, tips for caregivers, tips for seniors, VA programs

At the end of 2016, there were more than 11 million U.S. Armed Forces veterans over the age of 60 living in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Of these, the largest population was in the age range of 65-69 years old, the so-called “baby boomers” who are just entering the “senior” phase of life where they must begin planning for their future housing and care. For most seniors, a time does eventually come where additional assistance on a regular basis is needed. Others simply want to downsize or live in closer community with their peers.

Additionally, senior veterans possess a unique set of experiences; they may retain service-related injuries, or need to live close to VA medical facilities for care. Because of multiple duty station relocations, they may not have deep-rooted ties to any one state, and feel free to consider living anywhere in the U.S. In fact, many value living around others who understand the life of a soldier, and how it can impact an entire family for generations.

Considering these factors, analysts at APlaceforMom.com recently undertook a large-scale survey of all 50 states, statistically evaluating which states are the best – and worst – options for veteran senior care, based on the type of senior living options. A Place for Mom is one of the nation’s leading free senior housing advising services, and employs experts who are familiar with local housing markets and trained in insurance and VA policies. The company also maintains the largest online senior living referral listing, which includes verified reviews and ratings.

While other similar surveys have made general estimations on which states are best and worst for veterans, based on things like number of VA facilities and quality of life, this more recent study cross-referenced statistics from numerous sources* to calculate its final results. For example, researchers considered several important factors such as:

• The state’s overall population
• The percentage of the state’s population that are veterans
• The median cost of each type of senior housing and care for the state
• How affordable it is for a senior to live in that state

It’s perhaps not surprising that many of the states known for higher costs of living and rental fees seem to rank lower on the list for veterans looking to make the most of a limited budget. Additionally, states with more veterans as a percentage of the overall population were given higher preference, with the assumption that these states would feature more services and facilities for veterans and their families.

Below are the best and worst states for veteran senior care, based on the type of housing and care offered.

Assisted Living

An assisted living residence is a long-term senior care option that provides personal care support services such as meals, medication management, bathing, dressing and transportation.

Best 5 States for Veterans in Assisted Living Communities:

The best states for assisted living combined a more affordable cost of assisted living options and related health care, and a larger veteran population.

1. West Virginia
2. Arkansas
3. South Carolina
4. Alabama
5. Montana

Worst 5 States for Veterans in Assisted Living Communities:

The worst states for assisted living suffer from higher costs of care and housing, as well as smaller veteran populations compared to state’s overall population.

1. New York
2. New Jersey
3. District of Colombia
4. Massachusetts
5. Connecticut

Independent Living

Independent living communities are also known as retirement communities, retirement homes, or senior housing. For seniors with few, if any, disabilities needing assistance, or those simply looking to downsize, retirement communities offer a wide range of intellectual, physical, and social activities with peers. Veterans may especially enjoy communities that offer military-friendly events and organizations on site.

Best 5 States for Veterans in Independent Living Communities:

The best states for independent living combined more affordable costs housing options, and a larger veteran population.

1. West Virginia
2. South Carolina
3. Arkansas
4. Montana
5. New Mexico

Worst 5 States for Veterans in Independent Living Communities:

The worst states for independent living communities suffer from higher costs of housing options, as well as a smaller veteran populations compared to state’s overall population.

1. New Jersey
2. District of Colombia
3. New York
4. Massachusetts
5. Connecticut

Memory Care Communities

Memory Care communities specialize in treatment and managing of symptoms related to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Residents typically live in semi-private or private rooms and participate in appropriate therapies and activities. There are often additional security measures in place for the residents’ safety.

Best 5 States for Veterans in Memory Care Communities:

The best states for memory care communities more affordable costs for housing options, and a larger veteran population.

1. West Virginia
2. South Carolina
3. Arkansas
4. Montana
5. Alabama

Worst 5 States for Veterans in Memory Care Communities:

The worst states for memory care communities typically have higher costs of housing and services, and a smaller veteran population compared to the state’s overall population.

1. New Jersey
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. District of Colombia
5. Connecticut

Senior Apartments

For younger and very active seniors who want a low-maintenance lifestyle, senior apartment communities offer an attractive range of amenities like golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, and fitness centers. Sometimes referred to as “55+ Senior Communities,” the rental fees typically include utilities, landscaping services, home maintenance services, and security. Senior apartments do not offer the type of personal care services that assisted living communities and memory care facilities provide.

Best 5 States for Veterans Looking for Senior Apartment:

The best states for veterans looking for senior apartment living include lower fees and rental rates, as well as a larger veteran population.

1. South Carolina
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Florida
5. Tennessee

Worst 5 States for Veterans Looking for Senior Apartment:

The worst states for veterans looking for senior apartment living had higher fees and rental rates, as well as a smaller veteran population compared to the state’s overall population.

1. New York
2. Massachusetts
3. Connecticut
4. New Jersey
5. California

For more information on housing options, or to search for a specific housing option by state, visit APlaceforMom.com.

*Survey Methodology:

• Senior housing and care costsdata comes from the 2017 A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index.
• Total population estimates come from the five-year 2015 estimates from the American Community Survey, which were called from the Census API by the acspackage in the R statistical programming environment.
• Veteran population estimates come from the Veteran Population Model 2014(VetPop2014) maintained by the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and compiled in the annual Geographic Distribution of VA Expenditures (GDX) report from the department’s Office of Policy and Planning, which is available for download for years 2007 through 2015 on this GitHub page maintained by user mihiriyer.
• Scores were calculated by summing the percentile rank of negative consumer costs (so that more affordable states were ranked more highly) and the percentile rank of veteran population share, then calculating the percentile rank of the resulting raw score.

Written by Megan Hammons

Veteran Discounts in Philadelphia

Posted in Uncategorized on March 2, 2017
Tags: city guide, military, tips for seniors, veterans, veterans benefits

Philadelphia has an incredibly rich history and connection to the U.S. military, as it is the birthplace of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Whether you are planning a trip or are a long-time resident looking to explore your own city, many of these great destinations offer discounts to active duty and veteran servicemembers. Additionally, veterans can find numerous discounts on every-day services in the City of Brotherly Love; just be sure to take your military or veteran ID (and call ahead of time to confirm the discount).

Historic Philadelphia Military Museums

Up and down Historic Philadelphia’s cobblestone streets, you’ll find centuries-old landmarks that have played a role in America’s military history; many are free or do offer a military discount.

New Hall Military Museum (Free)

Betsy Ross House ($1 off admission)

National Liberty Museum

Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library (limited hours of operation)

Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial

Docked on the Camden Waterfront, the Battleship New Jersey is the mot decorated battleship in Naval history. Today, it is a Museum and Memorial that offers a variety of ways to experience the ship, including walk-up tours daily, overnight encampments, group tour packages, and space for meeting and social affairs. Walk-up tours of the Battleship are available every Saturday and Sunday in February and military members receive $5 off admission.

Local Merchant Discounts

Many Pennsylvania counties – such as Montgomery County – offer a free Veteran photo ID card and work with local business owners to actively collect a long list of discounts. The Recorder of Deeds office is authorized to record the military discharge papers of veterans (for free), and these records are accessible only by the veteran, and can be accessed online. To have your papers recorded and to receive your Veteran ID card, you should bring your DD214 and a photo identification card (such as a Pennsylvania Drivers’ License). Check with your local county to see if it is offering the card.

The list of participating merchants varies by county, but for Philadelphia County veterans, several local businesses off great discounts:

• Big Bama Barbeque, 10% discount
• Chiropractic Healthcare Center, 40% discount
• Dave’s Auto and Truck Services, 10% off labor (up to $50)
• Gerhard’s Appliance, Free Delivery from In-Store Purchases
• De Christopher Bros, In, 10% Discount
• Heffler, Radetich, and Saitta, LLP, 20% discount
• Lindt Chocolate at the Premium Outlets, 10% discount
• Mark Sandler Dentistry, 20% off
• Northeast Fence and Iron Works, 10% off materials
• Philadelphia Eyeglass Labs, 25% off, free exam is glasses are purchased
• Philadelphia Premium Outlets, Free VIP Coupon
• The Porch at Courtyard Philadelphia Landsale, 10% discount

Liberty USO

The USO organization serving Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey – known as Liberty USO – is extremely active and a great place to connect with many programs, including special family days and unique events in the community (like the Military Appreciation Day that allowed military members to attend and observe a session of the Philadelphia Eagles’ training camps).

Professional Sports

You can find discounted tickets to many of Philadelphia’s professional sporting events (like the 76ers and the Phillies) the through GovX, a ticket website that offers discounts only to active duty, veterans, reservists, and first responders. After signing up for their free service, you can search and find tickets to your favorite sporting event and teams. Additionally, many of these teams offer Military Appreciation Days with special discounts or freebies. Be sure to check their websites and event/schedule pages.

City Pass

Although not just for veterans and active duty members, you can find great savings if you plan on visiting numerous Philly attractions by purchasing a City Pass. It offers up to a 44% discount on admissions to four Philadelphia attractions, including the Franklin Institute, Big Bus Company and Philadelphia Trolley Works, One Liberty Observation Deck, and the Adventure Aquarium OR the Philadelphia Zoo. The pass is valid for 9 days and will cost you $55 for an adult and $35 for a child.

Written by Megan Hammons

Veterans Assisted Living in Philadelphia

Posted in on November 11, 2016