Veterans' Home Care in Forest, VA: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Forest, VA: the local picture

361

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

2,764

residents 65 or older (21% of Forest)

21%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Bedford County)

24%

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

About 361 Forest residents aged 65 or older are veterans (13% of that age group; 17% in Bedford County), out of 792 veterans of all adult ages in town.

21% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (29% in Bedford County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Forest compared with Bedford County and Virginia

Census figure	Forest	Bedford County	Virginia
Residents 65+ who are veterans	13%	17%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	21%	29%	31%
Residents 65 or older	21%	23%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	24%	24%	27%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	13%	16%	19%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	1.5%	5.5%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$72,386	$63,298	—

Older residents in towns around Forest

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Timberlake, VA	4.3 mi	2,386	12%
Lynchburg, VA	4.8 mi	11,391	15%
Madison Heights, VA	11 mi	2,157	15%
Bedford, VA	13 mi	1,647	20%
Altavista, VA	17 mi	656	21%
Buena Vista, VA	25 mi	1,240	16%

Hospitals near Forest

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Centra Health - Lynchburg Gen Hospital	Lynchburg, VA	6.8 mi	3 of 5	(434) 200-4789
Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital	Bedford, VA	15 mi	5 of 5	(540) 586-2441
Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital	Lexington, VA	30 mi	3 of 5	(540) 458-3300

Straight-line miles from the center of Forest. 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 Forest

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $6,032 monthly median income of Forest households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Forest: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Forest?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $6,032 monthly median income of Forest households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Forest

More senior care near Forest

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Forest

More for Forest 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 Forest, VA