We love hearing from elderly veterans and their families who have used our Aid and Attendance Veterans Benefits Handbook.
We often receive many humorous stories that we love to share to help bring a smile to your day.
The names and locations in this story have been changed.
Housebound = No Longer Driving
The VA considers the primary component of being classified as Housebound being established by the veteran or their surviving spouse no longer being able to drive. This is a key qualifier for the aid and attendance veterans benefits.
George, a Houston, Tx Korean war veteran, reluctantly gave up driving after his doctor ordered him to stop driving after multiple run-ins with his garage wall and door opening molding.
Once George was no longer able to drive, he learned he may be eligible for the VA aid and attendance benefit. He could get up to $1,949 per month in the form of a disability pension from the VA!
George liked that. But, he did not like an invalid by his kids. He wanted a haircut and demanded Gertrude, his soft-spoken angelic wife, give him the keys to the car.
Gertrude, with her firm tone and famous eye stare, told him no.
George, being the rational smooth-talker talked her into driving him to his barber, about 1 mile up the road. Now, Gertrude had always let her husband drive for the past 49 years. In fact, it had been a number of years since she herself had driven due to her osteoporosis.
Realizing that George would find the car keys and sneak out of the house if she did not give in and drive him. So, she relented and thought it indeed would be nice to get out of the house.
Plus, she knew if he snuck out it would jeopardize his VA special disability pension – and they needed that extra money each month.
Before they got out of the driveway Gertrude knew it was going to be a long 1 mile drive. George could not remember the last time he was riding shotgun to Gertrude’s driving.
They drove down their street and turned onto the main busy road to the barbers. Gertrude was nervous and stayed in the right lane of the heavily traveled 4-lane road. Shortly Gertrude saw the blue, white and red lights of a police cruiser in her rear-view mirror.
She knew she was not speeding as she was only going 20 mph, well below the 45 mph speed limit, they both had their seatbelts on and she was in the slow-speed lane. So, Gertrude kept driving and wondering why the police car did not pass her.
Soon, she got to the road she needed to turn left for the barbershop. She got into the left turn lane; using her blinkers. She had the green light but stopped because of on-coming traffic.
To her dismay, the police officer was still behind her and was now walking up to her window. She asked the police officer what she had done wrong.
He told her that he just wanted to make sure they were okay and that she needed to pick up her speed so not to be a hazard to other drivers. Gertrude argued that she was a good driver and was only trying to be safe. George, of course, was also telling her how to drive and expounding his driving skills; speaking over the police officer.
The police officer tried to quiet George and tell Gertrude that she just needed to go faster. Gertrude was getting confused with both the police officer and George talking to her at the same time. She hushed George and asked the police officer to repeat to her once again what he wanted her to do.
The police officer told her to just keep up with traffic and go. Gertrude asked him again, “you want me to go?” The police officer responded “yes, go; just go”.
So, Gertrude went. She turned left just like she heard the police officer tell her. However, she no longer had the green light. Luckily cross-traffic was not heavy and no one hit anyone.
The police officer followed again, this time with lights and siren. Gertrude and George now wait for one of their kids or grandchildren to drive them for their errands.
This story is sadly not so uncommon. One of the toughest things for a senior citizen to give up is driving. Being able to drive means independence and freedom.
Taking the keys and cars away from your parents or loved one is a hard heart-wrenching responsibility.
But, it is less so than the heartache of the aftermath of an accident due to declining depth perception and reactions.
To be eligible for the aid and attendance veterans benefits the claimant has to be considered housebound by the VA. This requires documentation from the family doctor that the claimant is no longer safely able to drive a vehicle.
Giving up driving privileges will not only keep your parent or loved one safe. It may also make them eligible to receive a thousand dollars or more each month from the VA.
Learn more about the Aid and Attendance Veterans Benefits.
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