Memorial Day: Helping Veterans
Posted on
I was in the home of a veteran recently; he had served in WWII. At 94 years of age he shared how he had dodged bullets and land mines. He had stories most of us could never imagine. The vet explained how at a young age, he was invincible—but today, he’s afraid of the stairs. It was difficult for him to comprehend how his life had changed, and now this soldier had anxiety over walking down steps.
Another gentleman I met was in the military for many years and these days had challenges walking. He had not been in the second level of his home in almost a year. When asked what he thought the VA could do for him, he showed us what was in his hand and said, “They gave me this cane”! He believed this was all he deserved and couldn’t imagine that mobility equipment, like a stair lift, would even be possible.
My third encounter with a retired military man took place in his home as well. He too greeted us at the door with a cane in hand. His wife had called us to measure for a stair lift. Their staircase was huge; one of those beautiful sweeping kinds you might see in a movie! As the consultant was measuring, she motioned for me to join her in the kitchen.
“Do you know why you’re here?” she asked. I knew we were there to measure for the stair lift but wondered why she was asking me this question. “You’re here,” she explained, “because he has fallen down those steps eight times!”
I was shocked. My first inclination was to be happy they made the call for us to come out and help them get fitted for a lift. My second thought was why in the world did it take eight times for him to fall before they called? We saw that he had a cane, but no one had realized he was losing his eyesight and he never saw those first few steps at the top.
Served with Strength
Three different veterans who had been in various branches of the military, yet all had served our nation with their strength, their skills, and their souls. Before we got to them, they were suffering—not on foreign soil, but in the confines of their own homes.
Helping Veterans
Not just for Memorial Day, but all year round, we are grateful for all our veterans and all that you have done to protect our freedoms. Now let us be a safeguard for you. You may not be aware of all the resources that are available.
HISA Grants
If you are a veteran who became disabled because of your time in the service, the Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant was created to help. Veterans who qualify can have home modifications that are needed based on their disabilities. The HISA grant will cover renovations such as:
- Grab bars & handrails
- Driveway & path improvements
- Electrical outlets & switches lowered
- Bathroom & kitchen counters with improved access
- Upgrading necessary access for sanitary lavatory facilities
- For dialysis patients, plumbing & electrical improvements
- Accommodations allowing the veteran to enter or exit the home safely
Veterans who qualify for the HISA grant need to acquire a medical determination that shows the above-mentioned improvements are needed in the home because of the disability.
Veterans may also be qualified to receive the Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant or the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant. For more on these grants, visit Disability Housing Grants for Veterans.
If the veteran has a disability that is non-service-related, up to $1,200 could be available to them. If they have a service-connected disability they may qualify for benefits up to $4,100 for home improvements.
When submitting requests to the VA for the home improvements that need to be done, it is best to use a company with experience.
It’s now our turn to help veterans. Let us be a resource for you—we have not forgotten.
Accessibility Solutions for Veterans