Assisted Living Facilities
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living Facilities are places where Veterans can live in a rented room or apartment. There are some shared living spaces, like a dining room. In some facilities the Veteran could have their own kitchen or kitchenette.
There is a trained caregiver on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This person can help the Veteran with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and getting dressed).
Veterans may also be able to have the VA arrange for a health professional (e.g., a nurse) to visit and give them extra care.
The VA does not pay for the Veteran's rent, which usually includes basic services. However, the VA may pay for some of the extra services the Veteran may need in an Assisted Living Facility.
Am I eligible for Assisted Living?
Eligibility for Assisted Living varies by facility. Talk with the administrator of the Assisted Living facility you are interested in to see if you are eligible.
To find out how to pay for assisted living visit Paying for Long Term Care.
What services?
Some services are included with the price of renting a room. Other services may be provided by VA or the facility. Most Assisted Living Facilities provide:
For Veterans:
- Help with your activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and getting dressed)
- Help taking your medications
- Some nursing assistance (varies by state and facility)
- Some or all of your meals (varies from place to place)
- Planned recreational and social activities
For Caregivers:
- Round-the-clock assistance for the Veteran
- Peace of mind when Home and Community Based Services can no longer meet all the Veteran's needs
- A place to enjoy spending time with the Veteran without the daily responsibilities of caregiving
You can also talk with a VA social worker to help decide if you will need extra help from a nurse or aide at the facility.
How do I decide if Assisted Living is right for me?
You can use a Veteran Decision Aid for Care at Home or in the Community to help you figure out what home care services or long term care services may best meet your needs now or in the future.
There's also a Caregiver Self-Assessment. It can help your caregiver identify their own needs and decide how much support they can offer to you. Having this information from your caregiver, along with the involvement of your care team and social worker, will help you reach short-term and long-term care decisions.
Ask your social worker for these resources or download copies from the Making Decisions page at www.va.gov/Geriatrics.
