How the Aid and Attendance benefit helps veterans in South Dakota

Receiving aid with daily tasks can make a significant improvement in the quality of life for South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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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What is assisted living like?

There is some variance in assisted living facilities. The facilities that are located in larger cities like Sioux Falls 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 South Dakota?

According to data culled from Genworth’s 2016 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in South Dakota is $40,440 per year, which is significantly less than the average nationwide cost of $43,539. This price tag translates to a monthly cost of $3,370 and a daily cost of $111. Precise costs will vary based on the city and the region that the facility is located in, but as a whole, the average cost is comparable to the state’s annual home health care costs, which checks out at $52,647 for homemaker services and $53,768 for home health aide services. It also represents a substantial savings in comparison to South Dakota’s nursing home care costs, which can break down to an annual cost of $74,825 for a semi-private room and $78,110 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 Alabama

Long winters in South Dakota mean there are an emphasis on indoor recreation and entertainment for a significant part of the year. There are many opportunities to meet up with others that hold a common interest or hobby. Veterans service officers will have listings of veteran groups that meet. Hot Springs has a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post for those that wish to take part in social and charitable activities.

The Angostura Recreation area is located near Hot Springs and offers a great place to spend a warm day. Southern Hills Golf Course is reported as being very well laid out and fun to play. The JH Keith Park and Whitney Preserve offers very accessible trails and outdoor fun. The Pioneer Museum is an interesting way to learn more about the history and culture of the area.

Animal lovers will be delighted by the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. Spending time here will take you back to the days of the Wild West and the tough pioneers who settled the area. You can see a historic one-room schoolhouse and learn about the Lakota people while visiting the sanctuary.