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Got a call last night in the middle of class. My mom forgot that I was in class, because she does that, and wanted to give me the news.
My dad, for those as may not know, is a veteran, rated at 100% disabled. Most of his disability was to do with chronic pain and neurological issues, but he's also had both knees replaced, had chemical exposure during 'Nam, things like that. He hasn't been able to work steadily since I was 18 or so. Still, it was only a few years ago that he was able to get qualified under VA, which meant he got disabled veterans benefits, which was a huge help financially to my parents. Fast forward to yesterday.
Mom and Dad had talked previously about their long-term care arrangements, should such things become necessary, and they'd decided that Dad could go to the VA home if it ever came to pass, because at least there his benefits would help cover it. That was pretty much the extent to which they had looking into it until now. Mom spent yesterday filling out paperwork for VA stuff, and she ended up taking a tour of the home. She said it was amazing. It was a place she'd actually enjoy being at and wouldn't have to worry about his care or comfort. It was built only a few years ago and is pretty much state of the art in everything. It's a senior home as much as a nursing home, so they've got activities and grounds and bring in entertainment and everything. They will take him to doctor's appointments and bring him back, and he can leave the facility with her so they can go to a movie or dinner out or whatnot. It was as good a place as she could hope for.
The kicker, of couse, is that it was still going to be a couple grand a month to pay for it. She'd figured out that between his benefits and her work, she could just cover that, but things were going to be tight. We've come to grips with the fact that she can't care for him at home, though, not like this. He's also happier where he's at now, with people and things going on and everything, than he's been in a while. We don't want to just bring him back home so he can be alone and regress. That wouldn't help anything, and Mom would have to quit her job to stay with him, and frankly they need the money. So we were committed to finding a way to make this work... and then she got the news.
You see, in red-state Oklahoma, veterans benefits are a huge issue. There are a lot of bases and a lot of military and ex-military in the state, something that's taken very seriously. For years, a group has been trying to get through legislation that would pay for the elder-care for disabled veterans, at least at the VA. That bill passed this year. It goes into effect in July. So as of July, my father's care at the VA home will be 100% paid for by the state, from here on out. My mom doesn't have to worry about it at all.
Despite the fact that I hate all of this, that I want my dad well... that's the best piece of news we've had in ages. At least he can get care in a great facility where he can be happy, and my mom doesn't have to worry about anything and can just spend time with him. Oh, and it looks like they may be able to take him right away, as soon as his time at the hospital short-term care facility is done. In the scheme of things, it really couldn't have worked out any better.
My dad, for those as may not know, is a veteran, rated at 100% disabled. Most of his disability was to do with chronic pain and neurological issues, but he's also had both knees replaced, had chemical exposure during 'Nam, things like that. He hasn't been able to work steadily since I was 18 or so. Still, it was only a few years ago that he was able to get qualified under VA, which meant he got disabled veterans benefits, which was a huge help financially to my parents. Fast forward to yesterday.
Mom and Dad had talked previously about their long-term care arrangements, should such things become necessary, and they'd decided that Dad could go to the VA home if it ever came to pass, because at least there his benefits would help cover it. That was pretty much the extent to which they had looking into it until now. Mom spent yesterday filling out paperwork for VA stuff, and she ended up taking a tour of the home. She said it was amazing. It was a place she'd actually enjoy being at and wouldn't have to worry about his care or comfort. It was built only a few years ago and is pretty much state of the art in everything. It's a senior home as much as a nursing home, so they've got activities and grounds and bring in entertainment and everything. They will take him to doctor's appointments and bring him back, and he can leave the facility with her so they can go to a movie or dinner out or whatnot. It was as good a place as she could hope for.
The kicker, of couse, is that it was still going to be a couple grand a month to pay for it. She'd figured out that between his benefits and her work, she could just cover that, but things were going to be tight. We've come to grips with the fact that she can't care for him at home, though, not like this. He's also happier where he's at now, with people and things going on and everything, than he's been in a while. We don't want to just bring him back home so he can be alone and regress. That wouldn't help anything, and Mom would have to quit her job to stay with him, and frankly they need the money. So we were committed to finding a way to make this work... and then she got the news.
You see, in red-state Oklahoma, veterans benefits are a huge issue. There are a lot of bases and a lot of military and ex-military in the state, something that's taken very seriously. For years, a group has been trying to get through legislation that would pay for the elder-care for disabled veterans, at least at the VA. That bill passed this year. It goes into effect in July. So as of July, my father's care at the VA home will be 100% paid for by the state, from here on out. My mom doesn't have to worry about it at all.
Despite the fact that I hate all of this, that I want my dad well... that's the best piece of news we've had in ages. At least he can get care in a great facility where he can be happy, and my mom doesn't have to worry about anything and can just spend time with him. Oh, and it looks like they may be able to take him right away, as soon as his time at the hospital short-term care facility is done. In the scheme of things, it really couldn't have worked out any better.
