SubscribeRetirement homes for vets
Question: I retired from the Air Force 10 years ago. I live alone and would like to sell my home and move into a retirement facility. I heard there was such a facility for veterans. Please tell me about it.
Answer: There are two Armed Forces Retirement Homes (AFRH) established for retired veterans. They are located in Gulfport, MS, and Washington, D.C. At the time of admission, applicants must be able to live independently. If increased health care is needed after being admitted, assisted living and long term care are available.
The 2010 edition of “Federal Benefits for Veterans” lists the following requirements for veterans who served at least 50 percent enlisted, warrant officers or limited duty officers:
• Honorable discharge
• 60 years old and have 20 or more years of active-duty service
• Service-connected disability that prevents earning a livelihood
• Unable to earn a livelihood because of injuries, disease or disability after serving in a war area or received hostile-fire special pay
• Female soldiers who served prior to June 12, 1948, and are eligible for admission because of compelling personal circumstances
Tenants at the facilities pay a percentage of his or her total income. They must not have been convicted of a felony, free of illegal drugs and alcohol and have no psychiatric problems.
The facilities offer a variety of benefits including: private room, three meals a day, 24-hour security, religious services and onsite recreational activities such as bowling, golf, hobby shops, entertainment, etc. Also, AFRH residents receive basic dental care and access to licensed specialists in optometry, podiatry, mental health, internal medicine and diabetic care.
Clothing, toiletries, dry cleaning and other personal items are at the veteran’s own expense.
Check out the AFRH requirements to see if you are eligible for the retirement community.
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Russell Davis has spent the last few years aggressively seeking answers to his own veterans’ benefit questions. He’ll be taking over the Taking on Life blog every Friday to tell you what he’s learned and to help honorable military discharged women and men, their spouses, partners and others to find answers.
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