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

Local figures

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

54

veterans aged 65 or older (5.6% of residents 65+)

968

residents 65 or older (35% of Merrimac)

41%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Montgomery County)

67%

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

About 54 Merrimac residents aged 65 or older are veterans (5.6% of that age group; 10% in Montgomery County), out of 68 veterans of all adult ages in town.

41% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (26% in Montgomery County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Merrimac compared with Montgomery County and Virginia

Census figure	Merrimac	Montgomery County	Virginia
Residents 65+ who are veterans	5.6%	10%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	41%	26%	31%
Residents 65 or older	35%	14%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	67%	29%	27%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	31%	16%	19%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.6%	7.4%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$47,083	$71,528	—

Older residents in towns around Merrimac

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Blacksburg, VA	2.5 mi	3,474	7.9%
Christiansburg, VA	3.9 mi	4,364	12%
Radford, VA	9.1 mi	1,601	13%
Dublin, VA	16 mi	319	20%
Pearisburg, VA	19 mi	680	26%
Salem, VA	21 mi	5,016	12%

Hospitals near Merrimac

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Carilion New River Valley Medical Center	Christiansburg, VA	4.1 mi	4 of 5	(540) 731-2000
Lewisgale Hospital Montgomery	Blacksburg, VA	4.3 mi	3 of 5	(540) 951-1111
Carilion Giles Community Hospital	Pearisburg, VA	18 mi	4 of 5	(540) 921-6000

Straight-line miles from the center of Merrimac. 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 Merrimac

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 32% of the $3,924 monthly median income of Merrimac 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 Merrimac: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Merrimac?

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 32% of the $3,924 monthly median income of Merrimac 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 Merrimac

More senior care near Merrimac

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Merrimac

More for Merrimac 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 Merrimac, VA