Veterans' Home Care in Columbus, KS: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Columbus, KS: the local picture

75

veterans aged 65 or older (13% of residents 65+)

596

residents 65 or older (21% of Columbus)

50%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Cherokee County)

45%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (31% in Cherokee County)

About 75 Columbus residents aged 65 or older are veterans (13% of that age group; 12% in Cherokee County), out of 126 veterans of all adult ages in town.

50% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (37% in Cherokee County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Columbus compared with Cherokee County and Kansas

Census figure	Columbus	Cherokee County	Kansas
Residents 65+ who are veterans	13%	12%	15%
Residents 65+ with a disability	50%	37%	33%
Residents 65 or older	21%	20%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	31%	30%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	33%	24%	20%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	25%	15%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$26,182	$41,494	—

Older residents in towns around Columbus

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Baxter Springs, KS	12 mi	636	11%
Galena, KS	13 mi	480	15%
Carl Junction, MO	17 mi	1,201	29%
Pittsburg, KS	19 mi	2,600	14%
Miami, OK	20 mi	1,945	16%
Joplin, MO	20 mi	10,195	15%

Hospitals near Columbus

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Mercy Hospital Columbus	Columbus, KS	2.5 mi	not rated	(620) 429-2545
Mercy Hospital Pittsburg, Inc	Pittsburg, KS	17 mi	3 of 5	(620) 231-6100
Mercy Hospital Joplin	Joplin, MO	20 mi	1 of 5	(417) 781-2727

Straight-line miles from the center of Columbus. 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 Columbus

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 60% of the $2,182 monthly median income of Columbus households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Columbus: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Columbus?

At the Kansas median aide wage of $15.03 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,303 a month in wages, which is 60% of the $2,182 monthly median income of Columbus households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Kansas's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Columbus

More senior care near Columbus

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Columbus

More for Columbus 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 Columbus, KS