In-Home Care for Veterans in University Place, WA

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in University Place, WA: the local picture

1,445

veterans aged 65 or older (21% of residents 65+)

6,796

residents 65 or older (19% of University Place)

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (36% in Pierce County)

21%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (25% in Pierce County)

About 1,445 University Place residents aged 65 or older are veterans (21% of that age group; 21% in Pierce County), out of 2,614 veterans of all adult ages in town.

32% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (36% in Pierce County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

University Place compared with Pierce County and Washington

Census figure	University Place	Pierce County	Washington
Residents 65+ who are veterans	21%	21%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	36%	33%
Residents 65 or older	19%	15%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	25%	26%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	19%	21%	20%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.1%	8.8%	8.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$82,456	$70,061	—

Older residents in towns around University Place

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Fircrest, WA	1.8 mi	1,314	18%
Lakewood, WA	3.7 mi	10,825	23%
Steilacoom, WA	3.8 mi	1,270	26%
Tacoma, WA	4.8 mi	33,418	18%
Wollochet, WA	4.9 mi	1,739	15%
Fox Island, WA	5.5 mi	937	16%

Hospitals near University Place

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
St Clare Hospital	Lakewood, WA	3.9 mi	4 of 5	(253) 588-1711
St Joseph Medical Center	Tacoma, WA	4.5 mi	3 of 5	(253) 627-4101
Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital	Tacoma, WA	4.5 mi	2 of 5	(253) 403-1000

Straight-line miles from the center of University Place. 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 University Place

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $6,871 monthly median income of University Place households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 University Place: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in University Place?

At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 29% of the $6,871 monthly median income of University Place households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 University Place

More senior care near University Place

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in University Place

More for University Place 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.