Veterans' Home Care in Brainerd, MN: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Brainerd, MN: the local picture

399

veterans aged 65 or older (16% of residents 65+)

2,562

residents 65 or older (18% of Brainerd)

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Crow Wing County)

48%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (29% in Crow Wing County)

About 399 Brainerd residents aged 65 or older are veterans (16% of that age group; 17% in Crow Wing County), out of 671 veterans of all adult ages in town.

45% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (30% in Crow Wing County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Brainerd compared with Crow Wing County and Minnesota

Census figure	Brainerd	Crow Wing County	Minnesota
Residents 65+ who are veterans	16%	17%	15%
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	30%	28%
Residents 65 or older	18%	24%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	48%	29%	30%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	35%	17%	16%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	9.0%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,250	$56,498	—

Older residents in towns around Brainerd

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Baxter, MN	3.8 mi	2,095	17%
Breezy Point, MN	18 mi	656	12%
Crosslake, MN	23 mi	1,012	15%
Little Falls, MN	27 mi	2,345	12%
Long Prairie, MN	41 mi	887	10%
Wadena, MN	45 mi	803	18%

Hospitals near Brainerd

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center	Brainerd, MN	4.7 mi	3 of 5	(218) 829-2861
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center	Crosby, MN	15 mi	3 of 5	(218) 546-2300
Lakewood Health System	Staples, MN	27 mi	not rated	(218) 894-1515

Straight-line miles from the center of Brainerd. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home care costs in Brainerd

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,438 monthly median income of Brainerd households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in Brainerd: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Brainerd?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 47% of the $3,438 monthly median income of Brainerd households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near Brainerd

More senior care near Brainerd

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Brainerd

More for Brainerd families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Care for Veterans in Brainerd, MN