On this Memorial Day, Argentum honors the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in service of our nation and extends our appreciation to those who have served or continue to serve in our Armed Forces. America’s senior living communities are proud to serve as home for hundreds of thousands of America’s Veterans and their spouses/widows.
Argentum is proud to support S. 4169, the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act. This bipartisan legislation was recently introduced by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Patty Murray (D-WA), to create a pilot program to help veterans access assisted living.
Unfortunately, many of our nation’s Veterans are unable to access assisted living because of restrictions by the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibiting funds from going toward room and board fees at assisted living facilities. The pilot program proposed under the legislation would be conducted at six Veterans Integrated Services Networks (VISNs) nationwide, including at least two program sites located in rural or highly rural areas and two State Veterans Homes.
This proposal, if adopted nationwide, would have an enormous impact on the ability of Veterans to have a choice in where they receive their care, and the dignity to live as independently as they are able while still having 24/7 access to care. Expanding choices will be critical as the nation prepares for an exponential rise in the need for care services, with 10,000 Americans turn age 70 every day. We urge policy makers to advance proposals to expand access to assisted living, which is among the most cost-effective care solutions, averaging half the cost of skilled nursing and even less than the cost of a home health aide, which provides significantly reduced services compared to assisted living.
As our nation reflects this weekend on those who served our nation, we send our sincere appreciation for our nation’s Veterans and their loved ones, including those who call senior living home.
