Good morning. My grandfather served in Korea and never once brought it up at Thanksgiving. I found out from a photo in a shoebox when I was twelve. Today’s for him and everyone like him.
In this issue:
- What veterans earned — and how to claim it
- Worth Knowing: caregiver burnout, respite care, year-end tax moves
- From the Archives: 10 caregiving tips that actually help
- Slice of Life: a flag on a Tuesday morning
There are 6.5 million veterans over 65 in the United States. According to the VA, a significant number of them aren’t claiming the benefits they’ve earned — not because they don’t qualify, but because they don’t know the benefits exist.
Here’s what a lot of families miss.
Aid & Attendance: This is a pension benefit for veterans (or surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or getting around. A single veteran can receive up to $2,431/month. A surviving spouse can receive up to $1,572/month. Income and asset limits apply, but the thresholds are more generous than most people think — the net worth limit is $155,356 as of 2025, and that excludes your home and vehicle.
VA health care: You don’t need to have seen combat. If you served active duty and received anything other than a dishonorable discharge, you may qualify. What to do: Apply at va.gov/health-care/apply.
VA caregiver support: The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers provides a monthly stipend to those caring for eligible veterans. If you’re caring for a veteran who needs help with daily living, this is worth looking into.
The extras people forget: Free hearing aids and eyeglasses for eligible veterans. Property tax exemptions in most states. State veteran homes. Even free fishing and hunting licenses in some states.
The biggest barrier isn’t eligibility — it’s the application process. DAV (Disabled American Veterans) offers free help filing claims. Call them at 1-877-426-2838 or visit dav.org.
Check your VA eligibility at va.gov/health-care →
😓 Caregiver burnout is real — and measurable. If you’re caring for someone and you’ve stopped sleeping, stopped eating right, or stopped calling your friends — that’s not dedication. That’s burnout. Benjamin Wells wrote a thorough guide breaking down the warning signs: 40% of caregivers report high emotional stress, and 72% don’t see their own doctor as often as they should. The takeaway: If any of that sounds familiar, it’s not a personal failing. It’s a signal.
🏠 Respite care: the break you’re allowed to take. Taking a break from caregiving isn’t selfish. It’s the reason respite care exists. Eleanor Hayes explains how it works — from a few hours of in-home help to adult day programs ($75–$150/day) to short-term stays at residential facilities. Medicare even covers up to five consecutive days through the hospice benefit.
→ Read Eleanor’s article on respite care
💰 Year-end tax moves: 6 weeks left. Three things to do before December 31. (1) Max out your IRA contributions — if you’re 50+, the limit is $7,000; if you’re 60–63, it’s $8,000 for 2025. (2) Make charitable donations — if you’re 70½ or older, a QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution — that’s a donation made directly from your IRA) counts toward your RMD and isn’t taxed as income. (3) Harvest tax losses — sell losing investments to offset gains and reduce your tax bill.
10 Key Caregiving Tips for Looking After Your Aging Parents — by Benjamin Wells
On Veterans Day, it’s worth remembering that many veterans are also caregivers — or being cared for. Either way, this guide is for anyone who’s ever thought “I don’t know what I’m doing” while caring for someone they love.
Benjamin covers the fundamentals that tend to fall through the cracks: setting up a reliable medication system, creating a safe home environment, keeping up with your own doctor visits (not just theirs), and the one thing most people put off too long — legal and financial planning. He also makes a case for joining a support group, which can be the difference between isolation and feeling like you’ve got backup.
I’ve shared this one with my own family. If you’re in the early stages of caregiving — or know someone who is — it’s a solid starting point.
There’s a house on my street where an American flag flies every single day of the year. Not just holidays — every day. Rain, snow, July, February. I asked the man who lives there about it once. He said, “I put it up the day I got home. Never saw a reason to take it down.” That was 1971. The flag’s been replaced a few times. The reason hasn’t.
Until next Tuesday,
Nino
P.S. If someone in your life served, forward this to them — they might not know about the VA benefits above. And if you’ve got a question about anything we covered, hit reply. I read every one.
