Glossary
VA Aid and Attendance
Aid and Attendance is a benefit added to a VA pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities, and it can be used toward assisted living or in-home care.
Eligibility depends on service dates, income, assets and medical need. The benefit is paid to the veteran or spouse, not the community, and can be combined with other funding.
Related terms
Long-term care insurance
Long-term care insurance is a private policy that pays a daily or monthly benefit toward assisted living, memory care, nursing home or in-home care once the policyholder needs help with a set number of daily activities.
Activities of daily living (ADLs)
Activities of daily living are the basic self-care tasks, usually listed as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring (getting in and out of a bed or chair), continence and eating.
Definitions reviewed September 5, 2026. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm specifics with the community and the licensing agency.