How long does it take to get a veteran into a veteran's nursing home?
A fellow caregiver asked...
Can you tell me how long it takes usually to get a Veteran into a Veterans nursing home?
Expert Answer
Rita Files, LPN, VSR, a nationally recognized expert on the elderly, has more than 30 years of experience in the health care industry, with 20 years focused on eldercare. She has developed programs for many leading providers in the senior living industry. Accredited through the V.A. in veterans' benefits, she is an advocate and powerful resource committed to educating veterans and their families about the nonservice connected pension benefit and providing them with accurate information.
She is cofounder and COO of Aging with Grace.
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.
Unlike private sector nursing homes where a family can possibly make admission arrangements for the same day, state veteran homes have an application process that could take a number of weeks or months. Since there is such a great demand especially for their Alzheimer's long term care units, it could take several years before a bed opens up.