Honoring Our Heroes: Military Appreciation Month and Military Caregiver Month
May is a month of deep reflection, gratitude, and advocacy. At Amada Senior Care, we proudly join our nation in observing National Military Appreciation Month and Military Caregiver Month.
National Military Appreciation Month is dedicated to recognizing the service and sacrifices of U.S. active-duty military, veterans, and their families.
Military Caregiver Month honors the family members and loved ones who provide essential, unpaid care to wounded, ill, or aging veterans.
These recognitions are not just about remembering sacrifice—they’re about actively supporting the heroes among us, including those who stand beside them every day: military caregivers.
As we approach Memorial Day on Monday, May 26th, we want to take this moment to shine a light on the veterans and family caregivers in our communities. Whether you’re a senior veteran or a spouse or family member providing care for one, knowing what resources are available can make a life-changing difference.
Why May Matters: Honoring Service and Support
Behind every senior veteran is often a caregiver—someone helping with daily tasks, coordinating medical care, or simply being a constant source of emotional support. These caregivers deserve not only our appreciation but real, practical support.
Top VA Benefits and Resources for Veterans and Their Caregivers
Two such programs—the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit and the VA Homemaker Benefit—can significantly ease the financial burden of aging in place for senior veterans or surviving spouses. With over 11 million U.S. adults aged 60 and older having served in the military, many are eligible for these life-changing resources.
What Are the VA Aid and Attendance and Homemaker Benefits?
These VA programs provide support for veterans who need assistance due to medical conditions that limit their ability to care for themselves. Depending on the situation, care may be delivered at home or in a facility setting. Eligibility is primarily determined by military service history and, in some cases, financial status.
To qualify, a veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period. Discharges must be anything other than dishonorable. Surviving spouses may also be eligible if their marriage ended with the veteran’s passing.
VA Aid and Attendance Benefit Eligibility
Veterans already receiving a VA pension may qualify for additional Aid and Attendance support based on income, assets, and care needs. To be eligible, at least one of the following must apply:
- You need help with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, walking, or eating.
- You are bedridden due to illness or disability.
- You reside in a skilled nursing facility due to physical or mental impairments.
- Your eyesight is severely limited—even with correction, your vision is 5/200 or worse, or your visual field is constricted to 5 degrees or less.
VA Homemaker Benefit Eligibility
Unlike Aid and Attendance, the Homemaker Benefit is not based on financial need. Instead, eligibility hinges on a clinical assessment confirming the need for in-home care. This evaluation must be authorized by a VA physician. In special cases—such as hospice care—the VA may accept evaluations from non-VA doctors.
Other Impactful Programs and Benefits offered by the VA
1. Veteran-Directed Care (VDC) Program
- Empowers veterans to hire their own caregivers (even family members) and make decisions about how they receive care.
- Great for seniors who want more control over their home care experience.
2. Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
- Offers financial stipends, access to health care (through CHAMPVA), mental health counseling, and respite care.
- Eligible caregivers receive training and support tailored to caring for seriously injured post-9/11, Vietnam-era, and Gulf War veterans.
- Provides short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering up to 30 days of respite care annually in a VA facility or through in-home services.
- A much-needed break for caregivers facing burnout.
5. VA Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
- Includes adult day health care, homemaker and home health aide services, skilled nursing, and more.
- Designed to help aging veterans remain at home as long as possible.
6. Caregiver Support Program (CSP)
- Offers both PCAFC (described above) and the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS), which provides education, support, and peer mentoring regardless of the veteran’s service-connected status.
- Every VA medical center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator available to help guide families through the system.
7. CHAMPVA – Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs
- Health care benefits for certain caregivers, spouses, and dependents of disabled or deceased veterans.
How Amada Senior Care Supports Senior Veterans and Their Families
Our team of senior advisors and veteran advocates understands the unique needs of veterans and military caregivers. We work closely with families to:
- Navigate VA benefits and application processes
- Customize care plans for chronic conditions
- Provide compassionate caregivers who respect military culture and values
- Coordinate respite care to give family caregivers a well-deserved break
As we pay our respects on Memorial Day and reflect on the lives given in service to our country, let us also lift up senior veterans and those who continue to serve at home—the family members and caregivers walking alongside loved ones on this journey with strength and compassion.
If you or someone you love is a senior veteran or military caregiver in need of support, don’t hesitate to reach out. Amada Senior Care is here to help you navigate the senior care journey with dignity and respect. Call 866-752-1961 or CLICK HERE to find an Amada office near you.
