One of the Veteran Administration's best kept secrets, which is an excellent potential source of funds for long-term care (either at home or in an assisted living facility) are veteran's benefits for a non-service connected disability. Most VA benefits are based on a disability which was incurred during a veteran's war time service. There is another benefit, however - a pension program - available for individuals who are disabled due to the complexities of old age, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and other typical disabilities. For those veterans and widows or widowers who are eligible, these benefits can be a blessing for the disabled individual who is in need of long-term care.

There is a specific portion of the pension program which is of particular importance. This program is called "Aid and Attendance" (A&A) and is available to a veteran or a widow or widower of a veteran who is not only disabled, but has the additional requirement of needed the aid and assistance of another person in order to avoid the hazards of his or her daily environment. In other words, someone who needs help to prepare meals, to bathe, to dress and otherwise take care of themselves.