How the Aid and Attendance benefit helps veterans in New Jersey

Receiving aid with daily tasks can make a significant improvement in the quality of life for New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.

Why Choose VeteranAid.org

• Learn About How Much You Are Eligible For & How to Apply
• Get Reviews, Costs, & Availability For Eligible Care Communities Near You.
• Our Service is 100% Free To Veterans & Their Families

The application process to receive A&A benefits could take several months to complete. However, when approved applicants receive their benefits, they will do so retroactive to the original application date. And New Jersey has a wealth of valuable resources that can help veterans navigate this process or any other veteran benefit related process. he Bureau of New Jersey Veterans’ Service provides the state’s veterans a wide array of services that include assistance with VA claims, assisted living homes, legal representation, and more. The organization also works in tandem with various County Veterans’ Services Offices (CVSOs) to help vets and their families with benefits, referrals, and various forms of advocacy. To find the CVSO nearest you, visit www.New Jersey.gov/dvem/bvs/offices.

What is assisted living like?

There is some variance in assisted living facilities. The facilities that are located in larger cities like Newark 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 New Jersey?

According to data culled from Genworth’s 2016 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in New Jersey is $59,400 per year, which is above the average nationwide cost of $43,539. This price tag translates to a monthly cost of $4,950 and a daily cost of $163. 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 $48,048 for homemaker services and $50,336 for home health aide services. It also represents a substantial savings in comparison to New Jersey’s nursing home care costs, which can break down to an annual cost of $118,625 for a semi-private room and $133,835 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 New Jersey

New Jersey may be a small state, but it has a lot to offer. Edison, New Jersey was named one of the best places in the United States to live by Money Magazine. It is home to the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park. Here you can see where the famous inventor created some of his most famous works. Edison also boasts an impressive amount of green space and parks to enjoy on a great day. The Menlo Park Veteran's Memorial Home is built around a central square to give the feel of a small village.

Vineland, New Jersey offers a lot of different entertainment options such as the Delsea Drive-In Theater and The Cumberland Players. There is a colorful and quaint downtown with great sidewalks for easy access to a variety of shops and services. The Veterans Memorial Home has its own movie theater, bowling gallery, and extensive arts and crafts room. The Paramus Veterans Memorial Home features beautiful gardens and a monument honoring those veterans who served in World War I, II, Korea, and Vietnam. Paramus is home to a public golf course and a lot of green spaces.

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs can offer advice on programs in different communities that are available to help veterans in different areas of their lives. Sports clubs and programs exist that can help veterans connect with others and get some fun exercise.