{"id":71393,"date":"2012-05-23T14:29:00","date_gmt":"2012-05-23T14:29:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2026-05-08T00:03:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T00:03:07","slug":"senior-housing-for-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seniorliving.org\/veteran-housing\/","title":{"rendered":"Assisted Living for Veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Retirement homes for veterans aren\u2019t one size fits all. The Department of Veterans Affairs is dedicated to supporting its 19.5 million veterans, and that includes helping senior veterans find housing that meets their individual needs. Your selfless act of service is to be commended and supported, so let\u2019s explore senior housing for veterans in more detail. We\u2019ll also cover how to pay for veteran housing, the available grants for disabled veterans, and important VA senior living care options.<\/p>\n

VA Senior Housing Options for Veterans<\/h2>\n

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With a wide range of housing choices, including in-home care, nursing homes, adult family homes, and assiste\/d living facilities, veterans have the power to choose.<\/p>\n

Eligibility factors vary. Eligibility for community living centers and community nursing homes, for example, is based on your level of disability, service-connected status, and income. If you\u2019re uncertain about which veteran housing is best for you, complete the Veteran Decision Aid for Care checklist<\/a> or contact your VA social worker for assistance.<\/p>\n

Adult family homes<\/strong>, also known as medical foster homes<\/a>, are residences where veterans and non-veterans receive 24\/7 nursing care from a trained caregiver in a small, private home. The VA does not pay for your rent, but it may cover extra services such as nurse visits to the house. Rent is about $1,500 to $3,000 each month, based on your income and the level of care you need.1<\/span><\/span>\n

Assisted living facilities<\/strong> provide the option of shared or private apartments, meals in a shared dining room, and a trained caregiver to assist 24\/7. The VA does not cover room and board, but it pays for services under your VA health benefits, such as nursing care, medical care, and physical therapy. It may be possible to use Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance to pay for services not covered by the VA.<\/p>\n

Community living centers<\/strong>, also known as VA nursing homes, provide 24-hour nursing home care<\/a> to veterans of all ages. The centers are designed to feel like a home away from home, so residents can decorate their rooms and may be permitted to bring pets to live or visit<\/a>. Community living centers offer plenty of activities to engage residents. Most are on (or close to) the campus of a VA medical center.<\/p>\n

Quick Tip:<\/div>
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Quick Tip:<\/strong> \u00a0Searching for VA senior living? There are over 100 VA Community Living Centers<\/a> across the country. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

Community nursing homes<\/strong> are places for veterans to live and receive skilled nursing care<\/a> 24\/7. The VA contracts with nursing homes across the country to care for veterans. Other services include occupational and physical therapy<\/a>, access to social services, short-term rehab, and Alzheimer\u2019s care<\/a>.<\/p>\n

State veterans homes<\/strong> provide nursing and adult day care. The homes are owned, operated, and managed by state governments in all 50 states and Puerto Rico<\/a>. Costs vary by state and facility, but they tend to be lower than non-VA-funded nursing homes.<\/p>\n

Pro Tip:<\/div>
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Pro Tip:<\/strong> Take time to understand the differences between Medicare and Medicaid health insurance<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

VA Senior Living Care Options<\/h2>\n

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Veterans benefits for seniors don\u2019t stop at housing. Whether you\u2019re aging in place<\/a> or living in a veterans retirement home, your VA benefits are available when you need them the most. Researching coverage can be time-consuming, so we\u2019ve compiled a summary of veteran care options. You can also learn more from the VA\u2019s Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Homemakers or home health aides<\/strong> are trained to provide in-home help<\/a> with daily activities such as eating, getting dressed, and bathing. Care may also include grocery shopping, housekeeping, and medication management. The VA contracts with agencies to provide these services as an alternative to nursing homes.<\/p>\n

Quick Tip:<\/div>
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Quick Tip:<\/strong> For veterans who want to age in place, a medical alert system<\/a> can help keep you protected and provide peace of mind. Visit our list of the best medical alert systems for veterans<\/a> to learn more.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

Home-based primary care<\/strong> (HBPC) provides VA physician supervision of a health-care team in your home. HBPC is for individuals who need skilled services, case management, and support for ongoing diseases and illnesses.<\/p>\n

Palliative care<\/strong> focuses on comfort care to relieve and manage illness symptoms. This interdisciplinary care aims to improve the physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms that can occur during a serious illness. Palliative care does not require that you have a terminal illness.<\/p>\n

Respite care<\/strong> provides short-term skilled care, relieving family caregivers of their routine care duties for a period of time. There are two types of VA respite care<\/a>: home respite care and nursing home respite care. Both programs aid veterans with activities of daily living while ensuring caregivers have time to rest and recharge.<\/p>\n

Hospice care<\/strong> is comfort-based care<\/a> for veterans with a terminal condition who have six months or fewer to live. The care is available when you are no longer seeking palliative care. You may receive hospice care at home, in an inpatient setting, or in an outpatient clinic.<\/p>\n

FYI:<\/div>
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FYI:<\/strong> You must be enrolled in the VA\u2019s health-care system to receive VA home and community health services. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

Retirement Homes for Veterans<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019d like to enjoy your golden years in the company of other veterans and their families, consider a military retirement community. The shared experiences offer a special level of camaraderie among residents, whether it\u2019s one combat veteran reminiscing with another or a former spouse recalling their travels and life on base.<\/p>\n

Veteran senior living may be exclusively for retired military or a mixture of civilian and military retirees. Certain levels of federal employees also qualify for some communities.<\/p>\n

The benefits of a veteran retirement community may include close proximity to a military base and its hospitals, commissary, and PX. During your housing journey, explore the three veteran senior housing options below.<\/p>\n

The Armed Forces Retirement Home<\/a> (AFRH) is a federal veteran retirement community with locations in Washington, D.C., and Gulfport, Mississippi. The AFRH is open to all military branches, but you must meet certain eligibility requirements to live there. You must, for example, be able to live independently at the time of admission. AFRH also serves as a continuing care retirement facility<\/a> if advanced care is needed in the future.<\/p>\n

Knollwood<\/a>, created by the Army Distaff Foundation, is located in Washington, D.C. Knollwood residency is open to high-ranking government service staff (GS-14 and higher), officers of the U.S. Uniformed Services, and their immediate families and in-laws.<\/p>\n

Falcons Landing Life Plan Community<\/a> welcomes retired or honorably discharged officers from every branch of service and federal employees GS-14 and higher, as well as their spouses and surviving spouses. Located in Potomac Falls, Virginia<\/a>, Falcons Landing includes the Air Force Retired Officers Community.<\/p>\n

Pro Tip:<\/div>
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Pro Tip:<\/strong> Our senior housing directory<\/a> includes VA senior living near you.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

Paying for Veterans Senior Housing<\/h2>\n

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Are you or your loved one leaving valuable VA benefits on the table? Veterans, veteran spouses, and surviving spouses may qualify for money that can help lessen the cost of senior living, such as assisted living<\/a>, nursing home care, and even in-home care. These key benefits include VA pension, aid and attendance, and housebound benefits. If you qualify, your payment amount is based on the difference between your countable income and the limit set by congress (known as maximum annual pension rate).2<\/span><\/span> We\u2019ll walk through each benefit and its qualifications below.<\/p>\n

VA Pension<\/h3>\n

The Veterans Pension program is a needs-based benefit paid to wartime veterans to help them and their families cope with financial challenges. The tax-free supplemental income is paid monthly. To qualify for Veterans Pension benefits, you must meet these eligibility requirements:3<\/span><\/span>\n