- A Comprehensive Guide to Legal Planning for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Families - When you or someone you love is diagnosed with a progressive disease like Alzheimer’s or dementia, you face a number of serious considerations, and many of those considerations need to be made quickly before the disease has a chance to progress. In addition to decisions about care, doctors, medical treatments, and therapies, this is also the time to make legal decisions to plan for the future, like creating an estate plan to allow you or your loved one to express his or her full wishes.
- Compassion Fatigue for Caregivers - Caring too much can hurt. When caregivers focus on others without practicing self-care, destructive behaviors can surface. Apathy, isolation, bottled up emotions, and substance abuse head a long list of symptoms associated with the secondary traumatic stress disorder now labeled Compassion Fatigue.
- Alzheimer's Association advances research to end Alzheimer's and dementia while enhancing care for those living with the disease.
Welcome to Quail Park Memory Care Residences of West Seattle Family Resources
At Quail Park Memory Care Residences of West Seattle, we want to make sure you have all the resources you need when deciding to move your loved one to a senior living community. Below, you will find numerous helpful resources regarding touring our communities, discovering the right level of care for you or your loved one, information on aging and financial resources, government websites, and legal information.
Learn more about Quail Park Memory Care Residences of West Seattle and the communities and services we offer on our blog and other resources.
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Community Tour Checklist
Taking a tour of a senior living community to see if it’s the right fit for you or your loved one? Use this checklist as a guide to help you through the process.
- Were you greeted promptly by the front desk team and offered assistance or a refreshment?
- As you tour the community, observe the staff and resident interactions. Is the staff patient, helpful, and kind? Were you greeted and welcomed by residents and staff as you toured?
- Did you observe residents socializing with each other and/or attending activities? Ask a resident about their community experiences.
- Was there an activity or life engagement calendar posted or was one provided in your tour packet? If so, do any of the planned activities meet your or your family member's needs?
- Is the building clean and odor free?
- Are the hallways, doorways, and common areas conducive to safe walking?
- Take the time to have a meal. Is the service staff friendly and attentive? Are the dining hours and food choices flexible? Did the staff meet your food handling expectations?
- Take time to meet the executive director of the community or other key team members.
- Ask how many staff members are scheduled throughout the day.
- What is the evening availability of the care team? What is their system for obtaining 24-hour assistance?
- Ask about staff training and credentials, and request to meet the licensed nurse at the community.
- How many hours per day or per week is the nurse in the building?
- Ask to see their most recent state survey.
Senior Care Resources
Quail Park Memory Care Residences of West Seattle has put together the following list of online resources related to senior living, senior care, and senior health.
Memory Care Resources
Resources on Aging
- Generations on Line is a nonprofit program for internet literacy and access for seniors.
- National Areas on Aging is a 501(c)(3) membership association representing a national network of 622 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). It provides a voice in the nation’s capital for the 256 Title VI Native American aging programs.
- ADvancing States is an organization with the mission to design, improve, and sustain state systems delivering home and community based services for people who are older or have a disability, as well as supporting their caregivers.
- National Senior Games Association is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting healthy and active lifestyles for athletes aged 50 and over.
- Oasis is an organization with the goal of promoting healthy aging through lifelong learning, active lifestyles, and volunteer engagement.
- Senior Corps offers volunteer opportunities for people 55 and older.
- SeniorJobBank is committed to bringing together employers with qualified, older job seekers and has built an audience of seasoned or experienced workers.
- Senior Service America, Inc (SSAI) is committed to making it possible for low-income and other disadvantaged older adults to participate fully in determining their own future and the future of their communities.
Financial Resources
- Elderlife Financial Services offers Elderlife Line of Credit and home loans so that seniors can find affordable living. Whether selling a home, applying for VA benefits, or waiting for other funds, Elderlife financing options provide financial flexibility to seniors.
- Paying for Senior Care helps seniors and their families understand the cost of long-term care and the programs that can provide financial support. We have an online database of tools and resources that cover topics like available care options and free support that is available.
Government Websites
- MyHealthfinder provides information about common health issues related to seniors.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Medline Plus - Older Adult Health is an excellent resource with a wealth of senior health information.
- National Institute on Aging leads the federal government in conducting and supporting research on aging and the health and wellbeing of older people.
- Social Security Online is the official website of the United States Social Security Administration.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (formerly Veterans Administration) is the official website of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Health Care Providers
- Aging Life Care Association develops expertise, enhances the success of its members, shares its unique knowledge base, and promotes the interests of the Aging Life Care™ profession.
At-Home Services
- Meals on Wheels is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the community-based senior nutrition programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation.
- National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is the largest and most respected professional association representing the interests of chronically ill, disabled, and dying Americans of all ages and the caregivers who provide them with in-home health and hospice services.
Legal Resources & Services
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is a professional association of attorneys who are dedicated to improving the quality of legal services provided to people as they age and people with special needs.
- Justice in Aging is a national nonprofit legal advocacy organization that fights senior poverty through law.
- The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care is the leading national voice representing consumers in issues related to long-term care.
- National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare is dedicated to protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits for all communities and generations.
Aging Research
- Alliance for Aging Research is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the pace of scientific discoveries and their application to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health.
- American Federation for Aging Research supports the science of healthier aging and has played a major role in advancing knowledge of aging and mechanisms of age-related disease by providing grants to nearly 3,200 talented scientists.
- The Gerontological Society of America advances the study of aging and disseminates information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public.
Retired Workers
- Alliance for Retired Americans ensures social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens so that those individuals may enjoy lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment, and security.
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that helps people 50 and older improve the quality of their lives.
Specific Health Issues
- American Diabetes Association fights against the deadly consequences of diabetes and for those affected by diabetes.
- American Heart Association helps individuals build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
- American Parkinson Disease Association aims to ease the burden of living with Parkinson’s and find a cure for the disease.
- Arthritis Foundation offers life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science, and community connections.
- Lighthouse Guild is the leading not-for-profit vision and health care organization addressing the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired, including those with multiple disabilities or chronic medical conditions.
- Start Your Recovery a resource for individuals who may be struggling with substance use disorder.
Additional Resources
- Family Caregiver Alliance - National Center on Caregiving supports and sustains the important work of families nationwide caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions.
- American Seniors Housing Association is focused on operation, development, and finance of the entire spectrum of seniors housing including independent living, Assisted Living, and continuing of care retirement communities.
- SeniorNet provides older adults education for and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom.
- Legacy Advisor offers end-of-life funeral preplanning and immediate assistance with funeral needs.
Additional Military Veteran Resources
Quail Park Memory Care Residences of West Seattle provides additional information for our military veterans.
Who is a Veteran?
Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, navy, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.”
In general, active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard; as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service; or as a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its predecessors.
Types of Discharges
There are currently five types of discharges issued by the military services:
- Honorable Discharge (HD)
- Under Honorable Conditions (UHC) or General Discharge (GD)
- Other Than Honorable Conditions (OTH) or Undesirable Discharge
- Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD)
- Dishonorable Discharge (DD)
Types of Benefits Administered by Veterans Benefits Administration
Veterans Benefits Administration
- Service-connected compensation and non-service connected pension
- Survivor’s Benefits (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and Death Pension)
- Education Benefits
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Home Loans
- Life Insurance
- Burial Benefits
- Healthcare
Additional Benefits Available to Veterans
- Preference in federal hiring
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Unemployment Insurance (if actively seeking work)
- Military retirement, medical severance and separation pay
- State programs including tuition assistance, emergency funds, PTSD and grief counseling, soldiers’ homes and elder care, fiduciary and guardianship, license plates, hunting and fishing licenses, park passes, burial plots, claim assistance, access to discharge papers and other Veteran records
How to Apply for Benefits
- Apply Online (Recommended)
- Contact an accredited Veteran Service Organization (VSO)
- Download and mail a Standard Form
- Speak with us in person – Find Your Local Regional Benefit Office
- Applicants must now use Standard Forms:
- VA Form 21-526EZ for original or reopen compensation claims
- VA Form 21-527EZ for original or reopen pension claims
- VA Form 21-534EZ for Survivor benefit claims
- VA Form 21-0966 if you Intend to File a claim
- VA Form 21-0958 to file a Notice of Disagreement with a decision
Service-Connected (S/C) Compensation
- Disability compensation paid to veteran who is disabled by an injury/illness incurred or aggravated during military service
- Injury or illness does NOT have to be combat related or have been incurred during a period of war
- If granted, veteran assigned a percentage (0%, 10%, 20%…) which corresponds to a dollar value
- 10%=$136.24
- 50%=$855.41 (single vet with no dependents)
- 100%=$2973.86 (single vet with no dependents)
- Vets rated at or above 30% are entitled to add dependents to their award (VA Form 21-686c) which increases payment.
- For example, add spouse =$48.00 to $163.00 increase
- This benefit is NOT affected by other sources of income except when receiving Individual Unemployability.
Important: The date VBA receives a claim is generally the date of entitlement for benefits. For this reason, use VA form 21-0966 if you Intend to File a claim but don’t have everything assembled.
Who is Eligible for S/C Compensation?
- Any veteran is eligible for s/c compensation if they meet the criteria:
- Have service-related disability
- Have discharge that is other than Dishonorable
- Served on active duty
- Guard and Reserve Members generally need to have been called on to active duty under Title 10 or USC 32 (DD214 usually notates this)
Special Issues Relating to S/C Compensation
- Claims for PTSD
- Current diagnosis + in-service stressor + symptoms/condition medically related to in-service stressor (nexus)=likely grant of service connection for PTSD
- Vet needs to provide stressor statement demonstrating an in-service stressor caused him/her to fear of hostile military of terrorist activity (statement can be replaced by evidence of certain medals / ribbons on DD 214)
- Non-combat veterans: Need to provide stressor statement including who/what/where/when (2 month date range and year) / how of the traumatic event they experienced
- Respiratory cancers, such as cancers of the:
- lung
- bronchus
- larynx
- trachea
- Soft-tissue sarcoma
- Chloracne or other acneiform disease consistent with chloracne
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- AL amyloidosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Non Service-Connected Pension
- Income based benefit for veterans who are permanently and totally disabled and unable to work due to non-military-related conditions
- Purpose to bring the veteran’s total monthly income to a level set by congress (currently $1,097.17)
- What does Permanent and Total mean?
- Age 65 or older
- Under age 65 but deemed unable to work based on medical evidence, or
- Residing in a Medicaid-approved nursing home.
Who Is Eligible?
Vet must meet ALL the following criteria:
- Have received other than dishonorable discharge
- Meet length-of-service criteria
- Service prior to 9-7-1980: served 90 days
- Service after 9-7-1980: served 24 consecutive months
- At least one day of service must be during period of war (did not have to be in combat)
- Permanently and Totally disabled – or 65+ years of age
- Countable income less than $12,868 yearly ($1,072.33 monthly) for a single veteran with no dependents
War Time Service Periods
- WWI: April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918
- WWII: December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
- Korean War: June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
- Vietnam War: August 5, 1964* to May 7, 1975 (*In country from February 28, 1961)
- Gulf War: August 2, 1990 to present
How to Apply for NSC Pension
Veteran needs to complete VA Form 21-526 or 21-527
- IF using 21-526, do not fill out compensation section unless vet attending to apply for this
- In income section, fill out EVERY line (if the question doesn’t apply or answer is “0”, write “0”)
- If form is not complete, we will need to do development, causing delays
Survivor Claims / Burial Claims
What is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of:
- Servicemembers who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or:
- Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease, or:
- Veterans whose death resulted from a non-service-connected injury or disease, and who were totally disabled from their service-connected disabilities for at least 10 years immediately preceding their death, or since the Veteran’s release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, or at least one year immediately preceding death if the Veteran was a Former Prisoner of War (FPOW) who died after September 30, 1999.
What Are Accrued Benefits?
Accrued benefits are benefits that are due to the beneficiary based on an existing decision on a claim for benefits or evidence in the Veteran’s claim file at the date of death, but not paid prior to death.
Example: A claim for a recurring benefit had not been allowed, but the beneficiary died before award action could be taken, OR one or more benefit checks had not ben deposited or negotiated.
What are Burial Benefits?
VA burial allowances are flat-rate monetary benefits that are generally paid at the maximum amount authorized by law for an eligible Veteran’s burial and funeral costs.
Eligible surviving spouses of record are paid automatically upon notification of a Veteran’s death, without the need to submit a claim.
Non-Service-Connected Death
- If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2016, VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $749 for a plot.
- If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2015, but before October 1, 2016, VA will pay a $300 burial allowance and $747 for a plot.
- If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2014, but before October 1, 2015, VA will pay $300 for burial allowance and $745 for a plot.
Additional Member Benefits
- No-cost internment at National or State Cemetery for the Veteran, spouse, and children (regardless of age)
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
- Memorial Flag (one per family)
- Headstone or crypt marker
What is Aid and Attendance?
VA may provide additional income in the form of an allowance to the basic benefit if the Veteran or the surviving spouse has a regular medical need for assistance or supervision due to disability.
Allowances are granted for the regular need for “aid and attendance” or if the beneficiary is “housebound.”
Special Note: Aid and Attendance is an allowance paid in addition to the basic benefits of compensation or pension. It is not a separate or stand-alone program.
Aid and Attendance may be granted when one or more conditions exist that requires additional caregiver support for the disability.
Medical evidence is required unless someone is a patient in a nursing home, and then the requirement is waived.
Submit VA Form 21-2680, Request for Nursing Home Information In Connection with Claim for Aid and Attendance
Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs)
What is an accredited representative?
An accredited representative is an individual who has undergone a formal application and training process and is recognized by a VA as being capable of assisting claimants with their affairs before VA.
A VSO, along with state, county, and other local Veteran service representatives are trained to help you understand and apply for any VA benefits you may be entitled to, including: compensation, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, home loans, life insurance, pension, health care, and burial benefits. Additionally, your VSO can help you gather any evidence needed and submit a Fully Developed Claim on your behalf. Many VSOs provide their services free-of-charge, but they may request reimbursement for any unusual expenses. Find a VSO.