February 23, 2024 • 12 mins
Did you know there's a treasure trove of resources for our nation's heroes that often goes untapped? Together with Kristi Gurule, we're ushering in 2024 with a deep dive into the benefits and support systems aimed at improving the lives of veterans, especially those seeking to maintain their independence at home. Throughout our chat, we unravel the complex web of VA benefits and Medicare, illuminating a path to the additional support that many veterans are missing out on. We shed light on the staggering number of older veterans—7 million, to be exact—and the vital need for more accessible guidance to help them navigate post-service life.
Kristi, with her rich family history in the military, brings an intimate and passionate perspective to the table, highlighting that many veterans are unaware of the myriad of services that can significantly enhance their quality of life. The conversation moves from troubling to triumphant as we outline the various pathways veterans can follow to access in-home benefits at no extra cost. It's a celebration of our veterans, honoring their service while equipping them with the knowledge they need to live more comfortable lives. So, sit back and join us as we not only pay tribute to these brave men and women but also champion their right to a well-supported, independent lifestyle at home.
Please visit our website for more information: https://www.comfortkeepers.com/offices/florida/davie/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Comfort Keepers Davy podcast,
where we elevate the humanspirit.
Here's your host, ChristyGrulay.
Jeremy (00:11):
Hello, hello everyone, and welcome back to another
episode of the Comfort KeepersDavy podcast.
I'm your co-host, jeremy Wolfe,joined by your host, christy
Grulay.
Christy, happy New Year to you.
It is 2024 and I am ready foran exciting and prosperous New
Year.
It's going to be magical, it is.
Kristi (00:33):
That's right.
Just claim all the goodness,right.
It's all here for 2024.
It's going to be a busy yearhere for the take it's going to
be great.
Jeremy (00:42):
So we're going to kick off the New Year with a very,
very important topic.
We're going to talk aboutveterans.
Yes yes, we are A ton ofresources available out there
for our great men and womenservice members of the country.
If I could speak properly, itwould be in good shape, and I
(01:03):
know that Comfort Keepers has alot of resources available as
well, and you are very active inthe community and you do a lot
of support for our veterans.
So please talk a little bitabout your role with Comfort
Keepers and what you do forveterans and the different
resources available.
And I know this is a big topicand we're going to probably pick
(01:25):
up other segments on thismoving forward, so we'll just
touch on a few things here.
Kristi (01:29):
Okay, sounds good.
So I think the biggest picturethat I could pay is that most
veterans you could approach anyveteran and ask them if they
know about services that wouldhelp them in their home.
Most of them are going to saywhat are you talking about?
They have no idea.
And that's really a problem ata much higher, higher level,
(01:51):
where there's so many benefitsfor the men and women who have
served our country and why weare able to do the things that
we do today, Yet they don't knowwhat's available for them.
So I'd like to start this allout by just sharing some facts
and figures first.
First fact we are hugesupporters of our military.
(02:13):
We absolutely are that to thecore for my family.
So, personally speaking,service members in the family.
So it was never a question thatwe would serve our veterans in
any capacity that we could,because they've done so much for
us.
Absolutely.
And there are roughly 7 millionveterans right now between the
(02:36):
ages of 65 and 84.
Jeremy (02:40):
That's a lot of that 7 million between 65 and 84.
Yeah, because I guess I guess alot of the folks in that age
range were involved with some ofthe wars.
What is that?
That would put them in Vietnam?
Vietnam times, I guess right.
Kristi (02:55):
So, yes, a lot I mean and I have service members that
are, I mean, well over that ageto and younger but what I want
to say is that this is our mostvulnerable group of individuals
that are wanting to remainindependent in their home who
most most veterans are actuallyseeking services through VA
hospitals.
So this is something that'sreally interesting.
(03:16):
We can easily assume that aveteran does everything through
the VA, but we know that the VAis very hard to get into.
Communication can be difficult.
I mean, it's a governmententity, it's it's a lot.
So a lot of our veterans alsohave Medicare, so they're seeing
their regular primary caredoctor.
They're not going to the VAhospital for routine checkups.
(03:39):
They're really not in thatatmosphere, but they're still a
veteran.
So this is a huge opportunityfor veterans to understand that
you may have never used your VAbenefits for your medication,
for your doctor's visits, foranything standard and routine,
and that is okay.
You're still a veteran and youcan still qualify for VA
(04:02):
benefits in your home at no costto you.
That's a win win for everybody.
So there are a few different, afew different ways that
veterans a can look into this.
Like you said before, there'stons of resources online, tons.
Jeremy (04:17):
That's part.
I think that's part of theissue, though sorry to cut you
off.
There is that people getoverwhelmed and inundated by too
much information.
As you were just talking, I wasthinking to myself.
I wonder if the military, whensomebody becomes a veteran and
leaves the service, I'm surethey provide them some kind of
list of all these resources, butthere's so many of them, right,
(04:37):
how do you get, how do you getthrough it all?
How do you know what'savailable and what's not?
It seems it's.
I'm getting overwhelmed justthinking about everything that
could be out there.
Kristi (04:45):
It is such a big topic but it's such a passionate topic
of mine because our veteransshould know our app.
Our veterans absolutely shouldknow.
So, just in what you just saidMaybe I can't say, but maybe our
newest, you know servicemembers who are leaving the
military Maybe there is thatinformation.
Information is easier to sharenow, but think about our
(05:06):
80-year-olds.
They did not get a paper, ahandout here's brochures of
what's going to be available toyou now that you're out of the
service.
That was a different time,right, and things have changed
since then too, at a much higherlevel.
So I think and I recommendalways for veterans to look for
their local county veteranaffair office.
(05:26):
Every county in the UnitedStates has a local county
veteran service office.
You want to be personal, youdon't want to call a 1-800
number, you don't want to be onhold forever.
Just walk into your localoffice where you have people
that are trained and able towalk you through the documents
(05:47):
that you would need to be ableto provide and get qualified for
services.
I think that that can be, attimes, the most daunting task,
but when you have someone thatunderstands the exact documents,
can help you fill them out, canhelp you get the documents.
If you can't find thosedocuments they're all
service-related, most of them Ishould say that's the person
(06:10):
that's there to literally beyour liaison, to help you get
home care, and that's where Icome in.
Jeremy (06:17):
So I know it's just 100% Everything you said.
I'm sitting here thinking tomyself how much easier that
process is for people Again,when you have to get on the
phone and wait on hold, thatcreates so much stress.
But to be able to go somewhereand actually have a person a
liaison, as you said sittingnext to you walking you through
(06:38):
the process, that takes such anincredible amount of stress and
burden off our seniors in thisprocess and it's such a huge
thing.
So, yeah, everything you saidmakes perfect sense.
So you were about to say beforeI no, it's okay.
Kristi (06:52):
It is such an exciting topic though Truly it is Because
right now there are so manyveterans that could use the
services that we provide.
They just don't know that thisbenefit is there at no cost to
them, and that's where I want toget the word out.
I truly want everyone to knowfrom as little to as much as you
possibly need.
(07:13):
There's a lot of differentoptions.
So, first step find your localcounty office for your veterans
affairs, not the veteranhospital.
That's not where you're going.
You're not necessarily going toyour primary care, but start
there.
Okay, we have veterans that areeligible for the VA aid and
(07:33):
attendance.
That is an incredible program,and that's not just veterans,
but that's also survivingspouses.
Surviving spouses don't knowthat they possibly have a
benefit to help them in the home, but that's where all of this
information comes into play.
So, for single veterans, formarried veterans, everything
(07:53):
that a veteran may need at hometo stay at home this is where
this can come from up to $2,600a month of paid services.
Jeremy (08:04):
Wow.
Kristi (08:06):
For a couple pieces of paper that need to be turned in
and filled out.
I mean it is worth it.
It is worth definitely lookinginto.
There's a veteran directed careprograms too, again just more
involved in a veteran's way ofdictating their own health,
their long term plan, so thatthey can stay in their home.
There is the community carenetwork, again.
(08:27):
All of these are all VA veteranrelated to their services,
whether they have fulldisability or not.
Service related disabilities,though, automatically qualify
you for these services.
So it doesn't matter if there'sa 10% disability because you've
got hearing loss, doesn'tmatter, that automatically
(08:49):
qualifies you for these services.
And then some.
I really think it's just a doorthat's being open for something
that's already there, theydon't know exists, that they can
take advantage of.
Jeremy (09:00):
So are you guys allowed to be involved with that process
at all?
I'd imagine not.
So a veteran calls you directlyand says you know, I'd like to
get services, and you find outthey're a veteran.
Are you then able to connectthem?
Do you work with liaisons atthe Veteran Affairs Office that
(09:20):
you can direct them to.
Could you help them with thatprocess, or do you have to just
tell them oh, you got to callthis place.
Are you allowed to be involvedwith that?
Kristi (09:27):
Yes and I want to be involved with it Truly, I think.
I think that that's where arelationship of foundation is
set, is in the very beginningstages of tell me about you, how
did you learn about us andwhere are you at already.
There are some veterans thatdon't have to go to the local
Veteran Office if they'realready connected in with the VA
(09:48):
.
At that point I can step infaster and I can make the
connections with caseworkers,social workers, and I can then
discuss what their eligibilityis for.
In home care, veterans have100% choice in the provider that
they choose to come into theirhome 100% choice, and I think
(10:09):
that that's really important forveterans to understand too.
You don't have to be assignedjust anyone, and that initial
contact Jeremy, being able towalk somebody through and
connect them, really has themcome all full circle and then
services start with us.
So that's just generally howhow it works, and I love for
people to call, not an expert.
(10:30):
Please know this.
There is so much information,like you said, but the first
phone call to our office isalways friendly and
informational and will give youexactly the pass off that's
required.
But please expect there to befollow through, with us checking
in with the VA to make surethat they received your call or
(10:50):
that they've actually reachedout to you.
We don't want to just give youa number and say, hey, here's
the number, go ahead, good luck.
We are involved the entire time.
Jeremy (11:00):
You said you're not an expert.
Don't sell yourself short.
You are an incredible wealth ofknowledge around, surrounding,
around what you do, and I saidthis before, I keep saying it
the passion that you have forwhat you do really comes across
when you talk about it, and it'sjust so important for elderly
to have people like you in thecommunity to help them through
(11:24):
these often difficult times.
And it's just my hats off toyou for what you do and
obviously, my hats off.
Hats off to our veterans outthere and our service members
and everybody that serves thecountry, whether a veteran or a
police officer or firefighter,anybody that does public service
.
God bless your soul, because Ineed to do more myself and it
reminds me every day to try tobe a better person.
Kristi (11:46):
So well, we could all say that to Jeremy.
We can, and it just comes downto advocating for those who
absolutely need it.
And that's really what we shareas a team, as a company, is we
advocate for what's right andwhat's necessary, and we love,
we love getting to that point ofbeing able to help them.
Jeremy (12:07):
All right to be continued.
This topic will be touched uponagain.
Everyone thanks for tuning inand we will catch you next time.
Everyone, have a wonderful dayand a prosperous 2024.
Take care.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Thank you for listening to the Comfort Keepers
Davy podcast.
For more information, visitComfortKeeperscom or call
954-947-7927.
Welcome to the Comfort Keepers Davy podcast,
where we elevate the humanspirit.
Here's your host, ChristyGrulay.
Jeremy (00:11):
Hello, hello everyone, and welcome back to another
episode of the Comfort KeepersDavy podcast.
I'm your co-host, jeremy Wolfe,joined by your host, christy
Grulay.
Christy, happy New Year to you.
It is 2024 and I am ready foran exciting and prosperous New
Year.
It's going to be magical, it is.
Kristi (00:33):
That's right.
Just claim all the goodness,right.
It's all here for 2024.
It's going to be a busy yearhere for the take it's going to
be great.
Jeremy (00:42):
So we're going to kick off the New Year with a very,
very important topic.
We're going to talk aboutveterans.
Yes yes, we are A ton ofresources available out there
for our great men and womenservice members of the country.
If I could speak properly, itwould be in good shape, and I
(01:03):
know that Comfort Keepers has alot of resources available as
well, and you are very active inthe community and you do a lot
of support for our veterans.
So please talk a little bitabout your role with Comfort
Keepers and what you do forveterans and the different
resources available.
And I know this is a big topicand we're going to probably pick
(01:25):
up other segments on thismoving forward, so we'll just
touch on a few things here.
Kristi (01:29):
Okay, sounds good.
So I think the biggest picturethat I could pay is that most
veterans you could approach anyveteran and ask them if they
know about services that wouldhelp them in their home.
Most of them are going to saywhat are you talking about?
They have no idea.
And that's really a problem ata much higher, higher level,
(01:51):
where there's so many benefitsfor the men and women who have
served our country and why weare able to do the things that
we do today, Yet they don't knowwhat's available for them.
So I'd like to start this allout by just sharing some facts
and figures first.
First fact we are hugesupporters of our military.
(02:13):
We absolutely are that to thecore for my family.
So, personally speaking,service members in the family.
So it was never a question thatwe would serve our veterans in
any capacity that we could,because they've done so much for
us.
Absolutely.
And there are roughly 7 millionveterans right now between the
(02:36):
ages of 65 and 84.
Jeremy (02:40):
That's a lot of that 7 million between 65 and 84.
Yeah, because I guess I guess alot of the folks in that age
range were involved with some ofthe wars.
What is that?
That would put them in Vietnam?
Vietnam times, I guess right.
Kristi (02:55):
So, yes, a lot I mean and I have service members that
are, I mean, well over that ageto and younger but what I want
to say is that this is our mostvulnerable group of individuals
that are wanting to remainindependent in their home who
most most veterans are actuallyseeking services through VA
hospitals.
So this is something that'sreally interesting.
(03:16):
We can easily assume that aveteran does everything through
the VA, but we know that the VAis very hard to get into.
Communication can be difficult.
I mean, it's a governmententity, it's it's a lot.
So a lot of our veterans alsohave Medicare, so they're seeing
their regular primary caredoctor.
They're not going to the VAhospital for routine checkups.
(03:39):
They're really not in thatatmosphere, but they're still a
veteran.
So this is a huge opportunityfor veterans to understand that
you may have never used your VAbenefits for your medication,
for your doctor's visits, foranything standard and routine,
and that is okay.
You're still a veteran and youcan still qualify for VA
(04:02):
benefits in your home at no costto you.
That's a win win for everybody.
So there are a few different, afew different ways that
veterans a can look into this.
Like you said before, there'stons of resources online, tons.
Jeremy (04:17):
That's part.
I think that's part of theissue, though sorry to cut you
off.
There is that people getoverwhelmed and inundated by too
much information.
As you were just talking, I wasthinking to myself.
I wonder if the military, whensomebody becomes a veteran and
leaves the service, I'm surethey provide them some kind of
list of all these resources, butthere's so many of them, right,
(04:37):
how do you get, how do you getthrough it all?
How do you know what'savailable and what's not?
It seems it's.
I'm getting overwhelmed justthinking about everything that
could be out there.
Kristi (04:45):
It is such a big topic but it's such a passionate topic
of mine because our veteransshould know our app.
Our veterans absolutely shouldknow.
So, just in what you just saidMaybe I can't say, but maybe our
newest, you know servicemembers who are leaving the
military Maybe there is thatinformation.
Information is easier to sharenow, but think about our
(05:06):
80-year-olds.
They did not get a paper, ahandout here's brochures of
what's going to be available toyou now that you're out of the
service.
That was a different time,right, and things have changed
since then too, at a much higherlevel.
So I think and I recommendalways for veterans to look for
their local county veteranaffair office.
(05:26):
Every county in the UnitedStates has a local county
veteran service office.
You want to be personal, youdon't want to call a 1-800
number, you don't want to be onhold forever.
Just walk into your localoffice where you have people
that are trained and able towalk you through the documents
(05:47):
that you would need to be ableto provide and get qualified for
services.
I think that that can be, attimes, the most daunting task,
but when you have someone thatunderstands the exact documents,
can help you fill them out, canhelp you get the documents.
If you can't find thosedocuments they're all
service-related, most of them Ishould say that's the person
(06:10):
that's there to literally beyour liaison, to help you get
home care, and that's where Icome in.
Jeremy (06:17):
So I know it's just 100% Everything you said.
I'm sitting here thinking tomyself how much easier that
process is for people Again,when you have to get on the
phone and wait on hold, thatcreates so much stress.
But to be able to go somewhereand actually have a person a
liaison, as you said sittingnext to you walking you through
(06:38):
the process, that takes such anincredible amount of stress and
burden off our seniors in thisprocess and it's such a huge
thing.
So, yeah, everything you saidmakes perfect sense.
So you were about to say beforeI no, it's okay.
Kristi (06:52):
It is such an exciting topic though Truly it is Because
right now there are so manyveterans that could use the
services that we provide.
They just don't know that thisbenefit is there at no cost to
them, and that's where I want toget the word out.
I truly want everyone to knowfrom as little to as much as you
possibly need.
(07:13):
There's a lot of differentoptions.
So, first step find your localcounty office for your veterans
affairs, not the veteranhospital.
That's not where you're going.
You're not necessarily going toyour primary care, but start
there.
Okay, we have veterans that areeligible for the VA aid and
(07:33):
attendance.
That is an incredible program,and that's not just veterans,
but that's also survivingspouses.
Surviving spouses don't knowthat they possibly have a
benefit to help them in the home, but that's where all of this
information comes into play.
So, for single veterans, formarried veterans, everything
(07:53):
that a veteran may need at hometo stay at home this is where
this can come from up to $2,600a month of paid services.
Jeremy (08:04):
Wow.
Kristi (08:06):
For a couple pieces of paper that need to be turned in
and filled out.
I mean it is worth it.
It is worth definitely lookinginto.
There's a veteran directed careprograms too, again just more
involved in a veteran's way ofdictating their own health,
their long term plan, so thatthey can stay in their home.
There is the community carenetwork, again.
(08:27):
All of these are all VA veteranrelated to their services,
whether they have fulldisability or not.
Service related disabilities,though, automatically qualify
you for these services.
So it doesn't matter if there'sa 10% disability because you've
got hearing loss, doesn'tmatter, that automatically
(08:49):
qualifies you for these services.
And then some.
I really think it's just a doorthat's being open for something
that's already there, theydon't know exists, that they can
take advantage of.
Jeremy (09:00):
So are you guys allowed to be involved with that process
at all?
I'd imagine not.
So a veteran calls you directlyand says you know, I'd like to
get services, and you find outthey're a veteran.
Are you then able to connectthem?
Do you work with liaisons atthe Veteran Affairs Office that
(09:20):
you can direct them to.
Could you help them with thatprocess, or do you have to just
tell them oh, you got to callthis place.
Are you allowed to be involvedwith that?
Kristi (09:27):
Yes and I want to be involved with it Truly, I think.
I think that that's where arelationship of foundation is
set, is in the very beginningstages of tell me about you, how
did you learn about us andwhere are you at already.
There are some veterans thatdon't have to go to the local
Veteran Office if they'realready connected in with the VA
(09:48):
.
At that point I can step infaster and I can make the
connections with caseworkers,social workers, and I can then
discuss what their eligibilityis for.
In home care, veterans have100% choice in the provider that
they choose to come into theirhome 100% choice, and I think
(10:09):
that that's really important forveterans to understand too.
You don't have to be assignedjust anyone, and that initial
contact Jeremy, being able towalk somebody through and
connect them, really has themcome all full circle and then
services start with us.
So that's just generally howhow it works, and I love for
people to call, not an expert.
(10:30):
Please know this.
There is so much information,like you said, but the first
phone call to our office isalways friendly and
informational and will give youexactly the pass off that's
required.
But please expect there to befollow through, with us checking
in with the VA to make surethat they received your call or
(10:50):
that they've actually reachedout to you.
We don't want to just give youa number and say, hey, here's
the number, go ahead, good luck.
We are involved the entire time.
Jeremy (11:00):
You said you're not an expert.
Don't sell yourself short.
You are an incredible wealth ofknowledge around, surrounding,
around what you do, and I saidthis before, I keep saying it
the passion that you have forwhat you do really comes across
when you talk about it, and it'sjust so important for elderly
to have people like you in thecommunity to help them through
(11:24):
these often difficult times.
And it's just my hats off toyou for what you do and
obviously, my hats off.
Hats off to our veterans outthere and our service members
and everybody that serves thecountry, whether a veteran or a
police officer or firefighter,anybody that does public service
.
God bless your soul, because Ineed to do more myself and it
reminds me every day to try tobe a better person.
Kristi (11:46):
So well, we could all say that to Jeremy.
We can, and it just comes downto advocating for those who
absolutely need it.
And that's really what we shareas a team, as a company, is we
advocate for what's right andwhat's necessary, and we love,
we love getting to that point ofbeing able to help them.
Jeremy (12:07):
All right to be continued.
This topic will be touched uponagain.
Everyone thanks for tuning inand we will catch you next time.
Everyone, have a wonderful dayand a prosperous 2024.
Take care.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Thank you for listening to the Comfort Keepers
Davy podcast.
For more information, visitComfortKeeperscom or call
954-947-7927.
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