Caregiving for an elderly or infirm veteran is a rewarding experience, but also, it’s extremely physically, emotionally and financially challenging even when it’s deeply devoted loved ones providing the care. Navigating needs, costs, logistics and emotional support can be difficult or even seemingly impossible for often already-stressed caregivers and families alike.
Fortunately, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (commonly known as the Dole Act) offers expanded benefits and support, ensuring veterans and their caregivers have the resources they desperately need and quite frankly, earned and deserve.
What is the Dole Act?
Signed into law by President Biden in early 2025, the Dole Act significantly enhances healthcare and benefits for veterans, focusing particularly on elderly and infirm individuals. Sponsored by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), this landmark act cuts through bureaucratic red tape, modernizes the delivery of care and greatly expands caregiver benefits, marking a significant step forward in veteran care legislation.
Why the Dole Act is Long Overdue and Matters Now More Than Ever
A recent VA (Veterans Affairs) report highlighted an urgent need for improved veteran care. Over the next 20 years, the number of veterans aged 85 and older eligible for nursing home care is projected to rise dramatically from 61,000 to 387,000, which is a mind-boggling 535% increase.
Recognizing this rapid growth, the VA emphasizes the critical need to shift resources from institutional care, such as nursing homes to more flexible, personalized home and community-based services. This approach not only improves quality of life but also allows veterans to age in the comfort of their own homes.
The Dole Act’s Key Benefits for Veterans and Their Caregivers
Here’s how the Dole Act directly impacts veteran and caregiver support:
Increased Monthly Support for Home-Based Care
Perhaps the most remarkable benefit is that the VA will now cover 100% of the monthly cost for home and community-based care, equivalent to the full cost of nursing home care. Previously capped at 60%, this substantial increase removes financial barriers, allowing more veterans to receive vital care at home, where they often thrive emotionally and physically.
In specific situations, such as veterans suffering from ALS, spinal cord injuries or facing geographic distance from a full-time care facility, the monthly support can even exceed traditional nursing home costs. This flexibility acknowledges the unique and often intensive care needs these conditions require, meaning veterans now have comprehensive support tailored precisely to their specific circumstances.
Caregiver Support During Hospitalization
Under the Dole Act, veterans who are catastrophically disabled and participating in the Direct Care Program can continue using their allocated funds even when hospitalized.
This provision ensures continuity of care, allowing caregivers to assist and maintain the veteran’s routine care during hospital stays. This consistent support dramatically improves comfort, reduces anxiety and contributes significantly to faster recovery and improved outcomes.
Expanded Respite Care for Veterans’ Caregivers
Recognizing the pressure caregivers face, the Act guarantees at least 30 days of respite care annually, with potential extensions based on medical necessity. This comprehensive in-home care support is vital, offering caregivers much-needed relief, reducing caregiver burnout, enhancing their own health and well-being.
For example, if a caregiver requires surgery or ongoing medical treatments themselves, the VA can authorize around-the-clock care in the home for the veteran. This practical support reduces stress and disruption for both the veteran and caregiver, eliminating the need to temporarily place the veteran in a nursing home environment unfamiliar to them.
Specialized Training and Pilot Programs
The Dole Act introduces extensive, specialized training programs for home health aides. These trainings include dementia care, spinal cord injury management, ventilator support and other essential specialized skills.
Also, a pilot program scheduled to launch within 18 months addresses caregiver shortages by allowing home health staff to provide direct home care services, which expands the availability and quality of home-based veteran care.
The Dole Act’s Impact: Real-World Caregiving Examples
Consider a veteran living with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) who requires overnight ventilator support. Previously, coverage limitations made overnight care difficult to secure consistently, causing immense hardship for the veteran, his caregivers and family members. Under the Dole Act, comprehensive nightly care can now be authorized, drastically improving the veteran’s quality of life and offering caregivers peace of mind knowing their loved one is cared for throughout the entire night.
Or imagine veterans with spinal cord injuries, who require extensive daily support for mobility, personal care and medical needs. The funding and specialized training provided under the Dole Act ensures these veterans receive the meticulous, skilled care they need, greatly enhancing their independence, dignity and daily comfort.
Take Advantage of These Opportunities
Whether you’re currently caring for a veteran or planning for future caregiving needs, the Dole Act improves your available options, significantly reduces financial burdens and improves your loved one’s quality of life. By expanding caregiver resources, respite options, home care funding and specialized training, this legislation represents a commitment to honoring the sacrifice veterans and their families have made for our country.
To learn more about how the Dole Act can benefit you or your loved one, contact our team at Focus Healthcare. We guide caregivers and families through these new opportunities, ensuring veterans receive the compassionate, high-quality care they’ve earned.
