Cutting the VA Benefits Red Tape!

What many veterans and their spouses don’t realize is they may be eligible for up to $24,648 per year of tax-free money to help pay for home care services.  The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Pension with Aid and Attendance Benefit helps to cover medical expenses, including home care services, such as bathing, dressing, feeding and personal hygiene.

In addition to a lack of awareness, many potentially eligible candidates are deterred by the complexity of the application process. Mark Thommarson, of Corsicana, Texas, experienced this when trying to obtain the benefit for his own parents. “The mountain of paperwork for the application process was overwhelming,” Thommarson said. “Although the local VA office tried to be helpful, the paperwork seemed complicated, and I understood the process could take 18 months to two years for approval. So at that point, I gave up and continued to pay for their care out of my own pocket.”
Then two years ago, Home Helpers locations nationwide aligned with St. Louis-based Veterans Care Coordination (VCC), an organization dedicated to helping veterans apply for and obtain the benefit. Despite his initial skepticism, Thommarson gave the process another try with VCC’s assistance.

“I began the application process for Mom and Dad in April 2013. On June 1, we received our authorization for the start of their services through VCC, and in August, we received the award of benefit from the VA,” Thommarson said. “VCC made the process easy and understandable. The $2,000 worth of care that was previously being paid for by me and my siblings is now being paid for by the VA.”

To learn more about the benefit and eligibility requirements, contact a Home Helpers location near you.  Today, and every day, take a moment to thank our nation’s veterans and their loved ones for their dedication to our country.

  Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

The origins of Veterans Day...

World War I, known at the time as “The Great War”, officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars”.


In November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. It is intended as a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  Home Helpers would like to extend our thanks for all veterans for the services they have provided.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

From Pink Floyd, "Breathe, breathe in the air"

No, this post isn't about Pink Floyd's song Breathe, although there are some loose correlations with the lyrics.  We're focusing more on our lungs rather than the rock band. The lungs differ from other organs in your body because the tissues are exposed to the outside world.  Fortunately, we have a natural defense system to protect us. This usually works well, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of lung disease,  and consequently the need for supplemental oxygen or treatment as we age.

Don't Smoke.  We know you've never heard that before, but it's a big deal for healthy lungs.  Cigarette smoke can narrow the air passages and make breathing more difficult. Over time cigarette smoke damages lung tissue, and may trigger events that lead to cancer.
Avoid Exposure to Pollutants.  Secondhand smoke, outdoor air pollution, chemicals in the home and workplace, can cause lung disease.
Prevent Infection. A cold or other respiratory infection can quickly become very serious. Common prevention tips are:
*Wash your hands often with soap and water.  Use hand sanitizers as a backup.
*Avoids crowds and closed spaces during the cold and flu season.
*Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if a flu vaccine is right for you.
*If you get sick, keep it to yourself!   Stay home from work and rest until you are feeling better.
Get Regular Checkups. Health checks are an important part of disease prevention, even when you are feeling well. During a checkup, your doctor will listen to your breathing and talk to you about any concerns you may have.

  Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Our office is constantly being asked about costs for the services we provide, as well as how it compares to other services and the differences in what is being provided.  One oversight that we

consistently see is when people do not fully appreciate that our Home Health Aides are dedicated to one-on-one services.  In contrast, a facility may have as many as 15 patients assigned to one caregiver.  Consequently, the amount of attention and time that person may spend with each patient is limited.  It’s a huge differentiation, and one that should be fully understood when comparing value.

 In keeping track of average care costs, Genworth does an admirable job of publishing a yearly evaluation.  The costs are directly compared on a state-by-state basis, so you can compare different areas if you’re searching for a loved one that isn’t close by.  The latest reports are now accessable on their website, and the comparisons are available by clicking here.  Notice also, you can select different cities within a state to tailor your information.

Having information like this available before you begin shopping makes decisions easier.  Just be sure you fully understand the differences between the listings.

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

Cut drug costs the easy way!

If you've ever had to obtain non-generic drugs because a generic brand wasn't available, you know how quickly costs can mount. Americans spent on average $758 out of pocket for medication in 2012, according to a recent Consumer Reports national telephone poll. One thing you can do to help reduce costs of any drug is to shop around.  How?  Call around to different pharmacies and ask for the price on a months supply of the drug in need.  You may be shocked at what you discover.

Recently, Consumer Reports did just this, inquiring about the costs of multiple drugs from different pharmacies. What they found was that in some cases, the same drugs varied in price by over $100 between stores.  You can read their article, and see the prices they were quoted in their report by clicking here.

As a consumer, you have the right to shop and compare prices.  Don't settle for paying higher prices when better deals can be found with just a phone call!

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!

More on Alzheimer's...

We came across an interesting article on Yahoo News about a study focused on so called “Super

Agers” and what makes them different. A “Super Ager” is a person who is in their 80s and 90s, but with brains and memories that seem far younger. One interesting find in the study suggests that people who are “cognitively active and socially engaged” have a reduced chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Which comes first — a healthy brain or a great attitude — isn’t known. However, it’s worthy of note that staying active as we age is a repeating theme in reducing the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.

 The article is interesting in it’s observations and discoveries, and can be read in it's entirety by clicking here!

Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade. Call us today at 704-909-7958. And as always, you can find us on our website, Facebook and Google+!