Does the VA Have Assisted Living Facilities?

No, the VA doesn’t have assisted living facilities. However, seniors may qualify for extra VA benefits to help them cover care costs in a community-based assisted living residence. Alternatively, some areas have state-managed veteran homes that provide assisted living services.

VA-operated Community Living Centers (CLCs) are nursing homes, and seniors must meet level of care requirements. Services include 24-hour supervision, skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapies, so CLCs aren’t appropriate for those who only need help with daily activities or personal care. However, although most are nursing homes, some state veteran homes are assisted living facilities and provide support with daily activities. The VA doesn’t manage these facilities. Instead, they’re managed by state governments, and each state sets admission and eligibility criteria. The VA pays partial costs for qualifying seniors.

Although VA benefits don’t directly cover assisted living, the Aid and Attendance allowance gives an extra payment to qualifying seniors; eligibility criteria include needing help with activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, preparing meals and taking a shower. Recipients can use these funds to pay for essential care in an assisted living community or at home.

In some areas, the Veteran-Directed Care program supports senior independence by paying for help with day-to-day tasks and personal care. Because qualifying seniors can choose their caregivers, the program covers those residing in assisted living facilities. Additionally, veterans who don’t need nursing home care but can’t live alone because of medical or psychiatric conditions may qualify for funding through the Community Residential Care program. The program covers diverse services in VA-approved facilities, including certain assisted living communities and personal care homes.

Because VA support doesn’t cover room costs in assisted living and rarely includes meals, seniors must pay remaining fees from other funds. Options include other income and savings, family assistance and long-term care insurance.