Seeking Home Care Led to a Second Look at a Surviving Spouse’s VA Benefits When Mrs. C. came to Veterans Care Coordination (VCC) with her daughter, the goal was straightforward: find a way to help pay for the home care Mrs. C. needed so she could remain at home. What followed was a nine-month wait…

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When Freedom Sounds Different: a service member in camouflage holding his head near a lit sparkler, over an American flag

Supporting Veterans Through the Fourth of July For many Americans, the Fourth of July means backyard barbeques, parades, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. But for some Veterans, those same sights and sounds can bring back memories they never asked to revisit. The loud booms, flashes, smoke, and unpredictability of fireworks can serve as…

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The Right to Choose: Veteran in a Vietnam Vet cap saluting, seen from behind, with the VCC logo

This Military Appreciation Month, the National Association for Veteran Rights (NAVR) launched its Right to Choose: Veterans Helping Veterans campaign—a documentary-style video series sharing the firsthand experiences of Veterans navigating the VA benefits system and the challenges they faced accessing the support they needed.   The campaign is an important reminder of something we see…

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Veteran of the Month May 2026: William Carter Duberry in Marine Corps dress uniform, on an American flag background

At just 17 years old, William “Carter” Duberry voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was born on December 31, 1956, and raised in the small town of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, located about 60 miles south of Nashville. Duberry was the second-oldest of four children, with two brothers and…

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2026 Cost of Living Adjustment, by Tamara Rowland, Head of Client Care: senior couple smiling at a laptop together

The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Veterans and surviving spouses who receive VA pension benefits, including Pension with Aid and Attendance, is an annual increase intended to help benefits keep pace with inflation. The adjustment is based on changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), specifically the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage…

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Collage of VCC team members smiling with senior clients in their homes, with an American flag at the corner

  A Note of Gratitude From Kyle    As we head into the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on the moments that remind us why our mission matters—and why our partnerships are so critical to our mission. This Veterans Day, our VCC team stepped out of the office and into the homes of the…

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Daniel Smith as a young Navy man in sunglasses beside a recent portrait in a suit and red beret

Daniel Smith was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest of eight children in a family of four boys and four girls. Being the baby of the family, he admits with a laugh that he was a “mama’s boy.” Growing up, Smith enjoyed playing sports, including baseball, football, and basketball, and worked various odd…

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Senior man wincing and holding his shoulder while sitting on a sofa at home

  Chronic Pain in Older Adults: What It Is and How Home Care May Help Chronic pain is a common and complex issue among older adults, but it can often be managed effectively with consistent support at home. Nearly one in four adults in the U.S. experiences chronic pain, with rates even higher among those…

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August National Wellness Month: seniors doing stretching exercises at home, with home care support

August is National Wellness Month, making it the perfect time to focus on self-care, healthy routines, and establishing lifelong wellness habits that support mind and body. If you haven’t started a wellness routine yet, no worries—it’s never too late to begin. In fact, a recent study published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy found that older…

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Memories or Mess? A cluttered storage area full of old household items

  As our parents age, we may notice unexpected changes in their behavior or personality. These changes can occur gradually over time or suddenly and unexpectedly. One common change that surprises many people is when an elderly parent begins to accumulate belongings. I have witnessed this firsthand and heard countless stories from families sharing their…

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