Senior Helpers hosts a weekly radio program called Everything Elderly. We talk about all sorts of topics related to seniors, with an over-riding focus on health. The show airs on 1290 am WLBY, every Saturday morning at 8:30. This weekend, we hosted two wonderful guests, who discussed two very different topics.

Beth Williams, works for the Wartime Veterans Association, a non-profit group dedicated to assisting veterans. This organization focuses on helping veterans apply for, and get approved for, a benefit called Aid & Attendance. This benefit provides monies directly to veterans to pay for health care and living assistance. The benefit can pay for in-home care, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, whatever is most appropriate for the veteran’s specific situation.

Beth Marshall in the 1290 WLBY Studio

Photo by Sheila Doeden

Beth is working hard to get the word out about this little-known, but very valuable, benefit. If a veteran is married, the couple can get $1,949 per month, through the end of life. The spouse of a veteran who has passed away is still eligible, for up to $1,056 per month. To qualify, the veteran had to have served during a period of war (or declared conflict), and be at least 65 years old. Most qualifying vets today served during World War II or the Korean War.

As Beth discussed, there are income limits that can affect eligibility, as well as asset restrictions. However, for the asset criteria, funds can be moved to a trust and then be excluded, which can help a vet to qualify. Beth made it very clear it is a very complicated process to apply. She strongly encourages veterans to seek help, through organizations like her group.

There is no cost to apply for this benefit, and no cost for the services of Wartime Veterans Association. It was interesting to hear that Beth’s own father receives the benefit, to help him pay to stay in an assisted living facility in Kansas City.

If you are interested in contacting Beth, her number is 734-454-0384. If you’d like to listen to the full 12-minute discussion, access the Everything Elderly podcast website. Pat Fero, a psychotherapist and author, was our second guest this Saturday. Pat has 30 years experience in social work. Her career has more recently focused on women’s empowerment. Among her clients, Pat work with many primary caregivers for elderly parents. She sees the issues they have with stress and burnout. She emphasized the importance of recharging your batteries, and especially asking for help.

Pat Fero in the 1290 WLBY Studio

Photo by Sheila Doeden

Pat is an author and has written two successful books. Mining for Diamonds is about resiliency. Pat interviewed 20 people that had been through difficult periods, and subsequently flourished. Her second book, published in 2009, is called What Happens When Women Wake Up . Pat talked about how the title elicits very different reactions from women and men. But the book isn’t just for women, it can help men become better husbands, better partners.

In a lighter moment, Pat talked about her therapy dog, Daisy. From what Pat described, Daisy has a pretty nice life!

Pat really loves everything about her work, especially connecting with other women in the process of awakening. Pat has also worked as a life coach. She talked about helping people turn their “Golden Years into Diamond Decades”. Her advice for those more elderly is to give back as much as you can to the community. She likes the expression, “don’t retire, refire!”.

Pat can be contacted at 734-973-0817, and at Patriciafero.com. If you’d like to listen to the full 13-minute discussion, access the Everything Elderly podcast website. Alan Caldwell is the owner of Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. He can be contacted at acaldwell@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.