AARP to Congress: Give Veterans More Options for Long-Term Care

We wrote to federal lawmakers this week in support of the bipartisan Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act, which would set up a program to study the benefits of allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover assisted living expenses for eligible veterans. 

The VA does not currently cover room and board fees at assisted living facilities, limiting veterans’ options for remaining independent as they age. Under the new bill, a three-year pilot program would enable eligible veterans to receive assisted living coverage through the VA at six Veterans Integrated Services Networks across the country. 

“After their service, hard work, and contributions to our society, America’s veterans deserve to live with independence, security, and dignity,” Bill Sweeney, senior vice president for government affairs at AARP, wrote in a letter to two of the bill’s sponsors, noting that the legislation “could help provide veterans with more cost-effective care.” 

As part of our ongoing support for veterans and their loved ones we recently launched the AARP Veterans Fraud Center to protect veterans and their families from fraud. And our Veterans Resources hub features a guide to navigating military health benefits, a veterans-specific job board, a caregiving guide and free career and resume-writing guidance, among other resources.  

Read our letter to lawmakers, and learn more about how we’re fighting for veterans and their loved ones.