Little Known Veteran Benefit (Aid & Attendance)

Byrdeen's husband, Hubbard, served in World War II, a Navy medic in the invasion of Sicily. Because of that service, Byrdeen gets about $900 a month, one-quarter of the cost of her care. The other $3,000 comes out of Betty and husband Ted's savings each month.

"The financial burden is stressful enough, then you have the emotional stress on top of it," says Betty.

It's called the Aid and Attendance benefit, for at home, assisted living, or nursing home care. Facility director Michael Halliburton says it never fails to surprise families.

VAMC is where you apply