November is Make a Will month in Ontario; National Diabetes month and National Family Caregivers month in the States; Osteoporosis awareness month in Canada, and Movember for men’s health awareness. However most fitting for today is Remembrance Day, symbolized by the poppy.

Remembrance Day is a significant day in the lives of many who endured the challenges of living during war times. As benefactors of their sacrifice, we sometimes forget that peace is a gift and the high price that was paid for it.

It is not only remembering their sacrifice but also ensuring that they have full funding and timely access to goods and services for their rehabilitation and integration in to their communities. They deserve no less. I have included a list of some financial support programs available to Canadian Veterans:

The Veterans Independence Program (VIP), developed in 1981, is a National Program that assists veterans to remain independent in their own homes. The primary caregivers (including a spouse, common-law partner, adult child or another individual) who were taking care of the veteran at the time of their death or admission to long-term care can also qualify to receive these benefits.
*VIP is only available in Canada. It cannot be offered to clients who live outside of Canada.*You may receive funds to help pay for grounds maintenance (such as grass-cutting or snow-shovelling), housekeeping, personal care, certain changes to your home, care and support by health professionals, and some transportation.*Your ability to access VIP services depends on your health needs and if these services are available to you through another federal, provincial or municipal program.

VIP housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance services are also available to eligible primary caregivers of those Veterans who received these VIP services at the time of their death or admission to a long-term care facility. A primary caregiver can include a spouse, common-law partner, adult child or another individual.Only those services that the Veteran was receiving at the time of his/her death or admission to a long-term care facility may be extended to the primary caregiver. To qualify, a primary caregiver must have a continuing need, due to health reasons, for the services to remain self-sufficient at home.

The program was expanded to provide housekeeping and/or grounds maintenance benefits to eligible low-income and disabled survivors of certain traditional war Veterans.
To find out if you qualify for these services and benefits, please call VAC at 1-866-522-2122.
Let Us Not Forget…..