(214) 571-7059
There are an estimated 8 million veterans over the age of 65 who have valiantly served in the U.S. armed forces, including many who live in the Dallas, TX area. When our senior veterans reach a point where they require care and assistance in their daily lives, we at Assisting Hands Home Care believe they should have access to resources and services that make receiving care more accessible and affordable.
The VA North Texas Health Care System provides a range of health, support, and facility services for veterans and the spouses of veterans who are eligible for or receive VA health benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans and their spouses can access health care services such as primary care, mental health care, specialty care for specific injuries or conditions, and social programs at one of many VA North Texas Health Care Systems located throughout the Dallas – Fort Worth, TX area. If you or a loved one is eligible for or already receiving VA benefits, you can receive care through one of the many services offered by the VA North Texas Health Care System.
Eligibility for VA Health Care
Veterans and the spouses of veterans may be eligible for VA Pension with Aid and Attendance benefits if the veteran served active duty in any branch of the military and did not receive a dishonorable discharge. Those who receive these benefits can use them to access VA health care services, but those who do not receive VA benefits may still qualify for certain VA health services.
Unfortunately, there are many veterans who are eligible who do not receive VA benefits either because they are unaware of their eligibility or are discouraged by the application process. If you believe that you or a loved one may be eligible, talk to a representative from the VA. The following are the basic requirements for eligibility for VA benefits:
- Veterans and spouses of veterans must be 65 or older
- Veteran must have served during wartime and spouses must be a widow or widower of a veteran who served during war
- Veteran must have served 90 days of active duty with at least one day during wartime.
- Veteran must have received an honorable discharge
- Veteran or spouse must require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) dressing, bathing, transferring, eating, etc.
- Must have no more than $123,600 in assets, not counting homes, vehicles, or personal property
- Married couples must have a monthly income of less than $3000, single veterans must have a monthly income of less than $2600, and surviving spouses must have a monthly income of less than $2000
These are the minimum requirements for VA benefits. There are additional requirements that may make veterans and spouses eligible for VA benefits, as well as criteria that can put veterans in a higher priority group for VA benefits. Check out the eligibility requirements from the VA for more information.
Health Care Services from the VA North Texas Health Care System
The VA North Texas Health Care System offers a range of health care services for veterans and the spouses of veterans under five main categories: primary care, mental health care, specialty care, social programs and services, and other services. The following is a more in-depth look at the health care services offered.
Primary Care
Veterans and spouses of veterans can receive primary care at VA health care centers to cover basic needs and ensure their health and well-being. Primary care offered by VA health care centers include the following:
- Geriatric care: Veterans and spouses who are 65 or older can receive geriatric care through the VA to help them maintain their health and well-being. Patients are evaluated to assess their current condition to determine the outpatient care they need.
- Pharmacy: VA care centers have pharmacies that can help veterans pick up new prescriptions and refill their prescriptions online, by phone, or by mail.
- Primary care: Veterans can get primary care for their entire family that includes preventative care as well as diagnosing and treating illnesses.
- Women veteran care: VA care centers provide healthcare for women that includes gynecology, mental health treatment, surgery, lifestyle wellness, and more.
Mental Health Care
Taking care of mental health is just as important as physical health care. VA health care centers offer the following mental health care services for veterans and spouses:
- Mental health care: VA care centers offer general mental health care services to treat issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addiction and more. Outpatient treatment includes individual and group therapy.
- Military sexual trauma: Veterans of any gender who have experienced sexual assault or harassment while serving in the military can receive counseling and treatment.
- Suicide prevention: The VA has a Veterans Crisis Line to help those with suicidal thoughts and veterans can receive counseling at a VA care center.
Specialty Care
VA health care centers provide a wide range of specialty care services for specific conditions and ailments. The following are the specialty care services veterans and spouses can access at VA health care centers:
- Amputation care
- Anesthesia
- Audiology and speech
- Blind and low vision rehabilitation
- COVID-19 vaccines
- Cardiology
- Dental/ oral surgery
- Gastroenterology
- HIV/ hepatitis care
- Laboratory and pathology
- Weight management
- Kidney and renal care
- Nutrition and dietary care
- Optometry
- Pain management
- Palliative and hospice care
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Radiology
- Spinal cord injuries and disorders
- Rehabilitation and extended care
- Toxic exposure screening
Social Programs and Services
Social programs offered by VA health care centers offer support for at-risk and minority veterans as well as veterans who need additional resources to help with their daily lives. The following are the social programs veterans can access at VA health centers:
- Caregiver support: VA care centers can provide support for those who are caring for a veteran with an illness or disability, such as respite care, training, and counseling.
- Homeless veteran care: Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless can access programs such as free health care, transitional and permanent housing, and financial support.
- LGBTQ+ veteran care: VA care centers can serve the needs of veterans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/ questioning, and non-binary in a safe environment. Care can include hormone therapy, substance abuse treatment, and mental health care.
- Minority veteran care: VA care centers offer care for minority veterans including veterans who are African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Island Americans.
- Patient advocates: Representatives of VA care centers can advocate on behalf of veterans to ensure they are getting the best possible care.
- Recreation and creative arts therapy: Veterans can participate in a wide range of activities that help promote physical and mental health and well-being, such as creative arts therapy, exercise, sports and games, leisure activities, community outings, and more.
- Returning service member care: Those returning from military service who are having a difficult time readjusting to civilian life can access care services that can help with their transition including treatment for traumatic injuries, counseling, mental health services, and more.
- Social work: Social workers at VA care centers can help coordinate support for veterans and their families who need assistance with finances, housing, transportation, legal services, and more.
Additional Services
Additional services that veterans can access at VA care centers include the following:
- My HealtheVet coordinator: HeatheVet is an online tool that allows veterans to manage appointments, refill prescriptions, and view lab and test results. Coordinators can help veterans set up and learn how to use this online portal.
- Telehealth: Veterans can set up remote care visits over the phone or through video conferencing with no need to travel to a clinic.
- Travel reimbursement: For veterans who must travel to receive care, they can get reimbursement for the cost of traveling through a VA care center. Reimbursement can include gas and fares for flights, trains, buses, taxis, and rideshare.
VA North Texas Health Care System Locations
The VA North Texas Health Care System consists of 20 locations as well as the North Texas VA Mobile Clinic that can be reached via phone. The health care services offered vary by location, so veterans must make sure they are visiting a clinic that offers the services they need.
Click here to see the list of VA North Texas health care locations: https://www.va.gov/north-texas-health-care/locations/
VA Home Care from Assisting Hands Home Care
The VA North Texas Health Care System offers a considerable amount of care services, support, and resources for veterans and their spouses who require care in the Dallas, TX area. Access to these services is invaluable for improving the health and well-being of veterans who have bravely served our country. Those seeking care should call the VA to discuss the care needed and determine which VA care centers can best accommodate their needs.
If you or a loved one is a veteran that receives VA benefits and is in need of home care, Assisting Hands Home Care can help. We are an approved provider of VA home care and respite care services that ensure veterans and spouses receive the care and support they need to live safely at home. Our VA home care includes personal care and assistance as well as help around the home and our VA respite care offers support to family members who are providing care for a senior veteran. Veterans can put their VA benefits towards the cost of our VA home care services.
To learn more about our VA home care services in Dallas, Richardson, Preston Hollow, and the surrounding areas in North Texas, call Assisting Hands Home Care at (214) 760-6944.
