Rita Files

Caring.com Expert

About

Rita Files, LPN, VSR, is a nationally recognized expert on the knowledge and skills needed for working with the elderly. She has more than 30 years of experience in the health care industry, with 20 years focused on eldercare. Her background includes program development for many leading providers in the senior living industry. She works with families to provide solutions for the stress associated with caregiving for the elderly.

Together with her partner, Patricia Grace, she has developed Aging with Grace into a national eldercare resource program offered to several million families across the U.S. and Canada.

Files's commitment to help veterans age with dignity fueled her desire to pursue credentials as an accredited veteran service representative. Her mission, to honor those who have served and make sure they too are served, helps her provide powerful advocacy and resources to veterans and their families.

In addition to nursing experience, Files holds both state and national certifications in assisted-living administration and is a certified senior advisor through the Society of Certified Senior Advisors, a member of the National Care Planning Council. She holds Veterans Administration accreditation in veterans benefits through the National Veterans Organization of America.

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Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Sunday November 07, 2010

    1. How long should an application for Veteran's Assistance take to process?

      Answer - I know this must be very frustrating for your family. On the positive side, you are in the system, as once an applicant becomes a claimant the VA has a "duty to assist" and must communicate with the claimant every thirty days.

  2. Monday October 25, 2010

    1. Are there VA benefits to be a paid family caregiver?

      Answer - The Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit can be used as a source of money to pay family caregivers to provide care at home. This benefit, under the right circumstances, can provide up to $1,949 a month in additional income to pay family members to provide care at home.

  3. Wednesday September 22, 2010

    1. Can I receive veteran's benefits again from my first late husband?

      Answer - Yes, you may be able to since you were married to the veteran at the time of his service-connected death and are not currently married, you may be eligible for the [Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)] (http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/veterans_affairs_va_benefits_dependency_and_indemnity_compensation_dic_...

  4. Friday September 10, 2010

    1. Will the VA cover hearing aids?

      Answer - If a veteran is enrolled in the [VA Health System] (http://www1.va.gov/health/) and is service connected at 10 percent for any disability, he/she may be eligible for VA coverage of hearing aids and glasses from their local V.A.

  5. Thursday September 09, 2010

    1. Can I go to any hospital in an emergency with veteran's medical benefits?

      Answer - According to the VA web site, urgent and limited emergency care services are available to enrolled veterans at VA health care facilities or non-VA health care facilities at which VA has a sharing agreement or contract. Veterans with special eligibility may obtain emergency care, at VA expense, in a non...

    2. Will VA medical care still cover me if I get sick in another country?

      Answer - According to the [VA web site] (http://www1.va.gov/health/), urgent and limited emergency care services are available to enrolled veterans at VA health care facilities or non-VA health care facilities at which VA has a sharing agreement or contract...

  6. Thursday August 19, 2010

    1. As a veteran's widow, what home health care benefit is Mom eligible for?

      Answer - As the widow of an eligible service connected veteran, Mom may be eligible to receive VA Death Pension Benefits to help supplement the cost of in home health care services. Since there are a number of [criteria that may affect eligibility] (http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/pension/spousepen...

  7. Friday August 06, 2010

    1. Is Mom responsible for paying back VA pension if the VA made the mistake?

      Answer - When dealing with the issue of paying the VA back for overpayment, you should not go it alone. You should contact a veterans service organization that will provide a service organization representative, also known as a veterans service officer at no cost...

  8. Tuesday July 13, 2010

    1. How can I get an estimate of mom's veterans benefits?

      Answer - From your question, it appears that Mom could be eligible for the the VA Disability Pension, commonly referred to as the VA Benefit for Aid & Attendance, since Dad's service to our country meets the military requirement. The amount of the benefit, which is subject to income and asset testing and...

    2. How long does it take to get a veteran into a veteran's nursing home?

      Answer - It is difficult to assign an average or usual length of time for this process. The time it takes to get a Veteran into a Veterans Nursing Home varies vastly from state to state.

  9. Sunday May 23, 2010

    1. Are long term care benefits considered income by the VA?

      Answer - Even though the long term care policy that Mom has is considered insurance, the monthly benefit amount would be documented as "other income"and would count toward her recurring monthly medical expenses and would need to be applied accordingly.

    2. Can my mother receive social security and a VA pension?

      Answer - Yes, your mother can receive both social security and VA Disability Pension at the same time. To qualify she would have to be over the age of 65 and not remarried. The purpose of the Non-service Connected VA Disability pension benefit is to supplement low or no income veterans and surviving spouses...

    3. Do VA "Aid and Attendance" benefits preclude you from Medicaid and state assistance?

      Answer - This is definitely an area where the VA Disability Pension Benefit for Aid & Attendance could turn out being more of a foe than a friend and your hesitancy is well warranted. In some cases the VA Disability Pension can have an effect on an individual’s eligibility for Medicaid benefits and why y...

  10. Saturday April 17, 2010

    1. My wife divorced a veteran in 1966. Is she still eligible for benefits?

      Answer - Your wife would not be eligible to apply for VA benefits under her ex-husband. A divorce and subsequent remarriage terminates the eligibility of a non-veteran spouse for veterans’ benefits because this person no longer meets the definition of spouse.

    2. What is the "funding formula" for assisted living?

      Answer - Although Mom is only able to keep $90.00 from her VA benefit, the balance of the benefit is used to pay nursing costs and Medicaid supplements the balance. If Mom were to leave the nursing home and move to an assisted living community, the full VA Pension for the Aid & Attendance benefit would be restored and go directly to her...

  11. Friday April 02, 2010

    1. VA won't accept my guardianship documentation for my father.

      Answer - Yes, it is true. Competency and incompetency determinations may be made either by VA rating decisions or by a court decree or both. VA is not required to recognize a court-appointed fiduciary for purposes of payment of VA benefits [38 CFR 3.850(a)] 9http://law.justia.com/us/cfr/title38/38-1.0.1.1.4...

  12. Tuesday March 23, 2010

    1. What is the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit program?

      Answer - Unfortunately this is a common response. The VA Aid & Attendance benefit program is a descriptor commonly used in the civilian arena when providing information about the VA Non-Service Connected Pension. “Aid & attendance” is actually one tier of a three tiered benefit known in the VA sys system as VA Pension or Disability Pension...

  13. Thursday March 18, 2010

    1. Can you keep an inheritance and still draw a VA pension?

      Answer - If your friend's VA pension is compensation for a service-connected disability, the inheritance has no affect on his disability pension. A service connected disability compensation award is made by guidelines that determine a veteran's conditions and the resulting degree of disability incurred during...