Veterans' Home Care in Durango, CO: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Durango, CO: the local picture

262

veterans aged 65 or older (8.1% of residents 65+)

3,232

residents 65 or older (17% of Durango)

17%

of residents 65+ report a disability (21% in La Plata County)

34%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (24% in La Plata County)

About 262 Durango residents aged 65 or older are veterans (8.1% of that age group; 12% in La Plata County), out of 709 veterans of all adult ages in town.

17% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (21% in La Plata County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Durango compared with La Plata County and Colorado

Census figure	Durango	La Plata County	Colorado
Residents 65+ who are veterans	8.1%	12%	16%
Residents 65+ with a disability	17%	21%	30%
Residents 65 or older	17%	21%	16%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	24%	28%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	10%	8.5%	16%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.2%	6.5%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$69,958	$69,214	—

Older residents in towns around Durango

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Bayfield, CO	16 mi	240	8.8%
Aztec, NM	31 mi	1,000	13%
Flora Vista, NM	34 mi	401	10%
Bloomfield, NM	36 mi	1,140	19%
Crouch Mesa, NM	38 mi	424	9.2%
Cortez, CO	39 mi	1,775	23%

Hospitals near Durango

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Mercy Regional Medical Center	Durango, CO	1.7 mi	5 of 5	(970) 247-4311
Animas Surgical Hospital, LLC	Durango, CO	1.7 mi	not rated	(970) 247-3537
Southwest Memorial Hospital	Cortez, CO	40 mi	4 of 5	(970) 565-6666

Straight-line miles from the center of Durango. 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 Durango

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,830 monthly median income of Durango households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Durango: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Durango?

At the Colorado median aide wage of $18.53 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,606 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,830 monthly median income of Durango households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 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 Durango

More senior care near Durango

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Durango

More for Durango 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 Durango, CO