Memorial Day is a holiday that we observe in remembrance of America’s fallen heroes. In 1868, a group of Union veterans under the leadership of Major General John A. Logan “established a Decoration Day for the nation to adorn the graves of the war dead with flowers”. The first commemorative event happened at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

From 1868 to 1970, Americans continued this celebration by visiting cemeteries and memorials in remembrance of the soldiers who died and served under the American flag. Over a century later, Decoration Day, which came to be known as Memorial Day, was declared as an official holiday and is celebrated on the last Monday of the month of May. Although originally created to honor the soldiers who died during the Civil war, the global historical events that ensued became a period where courage and love for country were once again challenged. Today, we commemorate and honor all the soldiers who lost their lives during the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the Persian Gulf War.

GI Benefits

In October 2008, the Office of Survivors Assistance “was created to serve as a resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the Department to survivors and dependents of deceased Veterans and members of the Armed Forces”. Armed Forces by definition covers the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard Reserves and the National and Air National guard of the United States. The OSA operates under the direction and supervision of the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

If you are a dependent or a survivor of a Veteran, you may be eligible to receive a number of benefits and services offered by the VA Benefits Administration.

Benefits

• Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
• Parent’s Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
• Survivor’s Pension
• Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
• Home Loans

Services

• Educational & Vocational Counseling
• Beneficiary Financial Counseling
• Fiduciary Services

To get more information on the above-mentioned benefits and services, please click on the link below:

https://www.va.gov/opa/persona/dependent_survivor.asp

Health Care Benefits for Surviving Veterans

Healthcare issues are a major concern for surviving veterans. There are at least 18.8M veterans living in the US today and more than half are 65 years old and older. Statistics show that nearly 90% of people 65 and older prefer to stay in their home for as long as possible and at least 80% of them believe their current residence is where they will always live.

Home based Primary Care is one of several health care services provided by the VA. All enrolled Veterans are eligible if they meet certain clinical criteria for the service and if it is available. Members may also receive benefits from assisted living, residential (live in), or home heath care.

Long Term Care services include:

• 24/7 nursing and medical care
• Physical therapy
• Help with Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, meal preparation, taking medications)
• Comfort care and pain management
• Respite care for their primary caregivers

Care is available in different types of setting such as:

• Nursing homes
• Assisted-living centers
• Residential Care homes
• Adult day health centers
• Veterans’ own homes

A homemaker or a home health aide may provide services to Veterans who need assistance with ADLs or activities of daily living. An aide may come several times a week depending on their unique, assessed needs. Home Care Aides are supervised by a registered nurse and form part of a healthcare team. They can also provide respite care to family members who play the role of primary caregivers. Such services allow veterans to age and remain within the comfort of their own homes.

Examples of daily activities you may be able to receive help with include:

• Eating
• Getting dressed
• Personal grooming
• Bathing
• Using the bathroom
• Moving from one place to another
• Grocery Shopping

For more information, talk to a VA social worker who can help coordinate and make arrangements if Home Health Aide Services are right for you. You may also contact our Agency for more information on how to avail of the in-home care services we provide that may be covered under your VA benefits plan.  

We have so much to be thankful for to all the soldiers who served and are currently serving the United States so we can become the great nation that we are now. Every living veteran deserves the highest quality of life that this country could offer. Let this nation and its people continue to take care of them. As we raise the flag on the 31^st, let us once again commemorate and honor their chivalry and loyalty to the stars and stripes.    

SOURCES:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history

https://www.va.gov/survivors/

https://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/ppi/liv-com/ib190.pdf