For many of us in the United States, military service touches our lives, whether through family, friends, or our communities. Our veterans have sacrificed so much and genuinely deserve our heartfelt gratitude, compassion, and care. Sadly, many of these brave individuals feel isolated and face daily challenges with tasks most of us take for granted, like preparing meals, keeping up with household chores, or managing their own wellbeing.
As veterans grow older, it becomes more important to provide the support they need to remain independent at home. After years spent in service to our country, these individuals deserve dignity, comfort, and attentive care. By investing in the health of our senior veterans, we help them enjoy a higher quality of life and honor their commitment to us all.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes these needs and provides veterans home care funding in Gilroy, CA, to assist servicepeople and their loved ones. What many families don't realize is that long-term care options - including in-home care - are included in programs like ameriCARE's Veteran CARE services.
Today, many of our veterans are vulnerable to a variety of issues that can impact their quality of life. However, through our Veteran CARE services, we're able to provide customized, compassionate care that addresses those issues and provides families like yours with peace of mind. Whether they're returning from combat with new health challenges or simply need an extra hand throughout the day as they age, our team is here to help.
Our agency owners are dedicated to guiding veterans through the process of accessing their benefits and understanding their eligibility. This important service, available at many of our franchise locations, empowers veterans to overcome the often confusing world of entitlements. With empathy and expertise, we strive to honor veterans by delivering personalized care and knowledgeable guidance, supporting them in living fuller, more independent lives.
The VA offers valuable benefits that include coverage for home health aide and homemaker services to veterans who require help with daily living activities. Through collaboration with one of our care partners, we learned that, out of more than 8 million veterans in the VA healthcare system aged 65 and older, only about 150,000 are utilizing this support. This means fewer than 2 percent of eligible veterans are getting the care they've rightfully earned. In some cases, such as with "Aid and Attendance," surviving spouses of veterans may also be eligible for benefits.
ameriCARE is committed to linking veterans and seniors nationwide with compassionate, highly trained caregivers from their own communities. We're proud to say that our mission goes beyond care - in fact, we're happy to help guide veterans and their families through the complexities of the VA system, offering hands-on support during the entire approval process. Many of our franchise owners team members are veterans themselves, who are dedicated to ensuring you or your loved one receives reliable, personalized care at home.
Regardless of how long they served, many military veterans leave service with a litany of health issues - both mental and physical. Some of the most common problems that older veterans face after leaving the military include
Research from the National Center for PTSD reveals that as many as 23% of veterans will experience post-traumatic stress disorder during their lifetime. For some, symptoms may not surface until later years, often following retirement. Notably, the development or worsening of PTSD in older adults has been linked to an increased risk of dementia, suggesting a complex relationship between trauma and cognitive decline as veterans age.
A recent study featured in the National Library of Medicine examined the prevalence of malnutrition among older veterans receiving home-based primary care. The researchers discovered that 15% of these individuals were classified as malnourished, highlighting a significant health concern within this population. Malnutrition in elderly veterans can lead to a range of complications, such as weakened immune response, slower recovery from illness, and increased risk of hospitalization. These issues underscore the need for veterans home care funding in Gilroy, CA that helps seniors with eating and nutrition challenges.
Studies show that older veterans face a 25% higher likelihood of reporting multiple chronic health issues compared to their nonveteran peers. This trend underscores the unique health challenges veterans may encounter as they age, which often stem from service-related injuries, stress, and more.
Veterans often carry the weight of their service, having endured challenging circumstances and shouldered responsibility for the security of others. As they grow older, preserving their sense of independence becomes deeply intertwined with their mental and emotional health. For many, shifting from self-reliance to accepting help with everyday activities can be a significant adjustment.
A skilled caregiver who understands veterans' unique backgrounds can make this transition smoother. Building trust through respect for personal boundaries, clear communication, and trauma-informed care is essential to fostering a strong partnership between veterans and their in-home caregivers.
Many ameriCARE locations provide their caregivers with specialized training to better support our veterans as veteran cases can be complex and deserve tailored care.
Our caregivers offer support with meal preparation, grocery shopping, and managing dietary needs. They also encourage healthy habits and lifestyle choices, ensuring you or your loved one receives personalized nutrition and wellness guidance.
Tasks like bathing, using the restroom, getting dressed, and maintaining oral hygiene can become challenging because of aging or ongoing health conditions. Our dedicated caregivers are specially trained to assist with these personal routines and always prioritize the veteran's comfort, privacy, and self-esteem.
A tidy living space does more than promote good hygiene. It fosters a sense of comfort, security, and overall wellbeing. Our caregivers help with everyday household tasks, making sure your home remains a safe, inviting, and organized environment.
When driving becomes a challenge, whether for you or a veteran family member, our caregivers step in to help. They can handle errands such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, ensuring appointments are kept, and providing reliable support for many other daily needs.
In-home caregivers from ameriCARE are dedicated to supporting your loved one's mobility and safety. From accompanying them on short walks to guiding them through physical therapy routines, we help promote regular movement and keep them engaged in activities that support their health and independence.
Our caregivers foster engagement by offering gentle support and uplifting encouragement. We create opportunities for veterans to participate in enriching activities, make social connections, and develop genuine bonds with their in-home caregivers.
We can accompany you or the older veteran in your life to medical appointments. We can also help relay any information or instructions provided by doctors.
Coping with the effects of aging, disability, or recovery from injury often involves juggling multiple medications with specific timing and dosages. Our caregivers can help ensure that you or your veteran loved one receives the correct medications at the right times, providing peace of mind while supporting overall health.
Our comprehensive care extends to beloved pets as well. We can assist with daily dog walks, feeding routines, arranging transportation for vet visits, and maintaining pet hygiene. By helping with day-to-day chores like pet care, we help enhance the wellbeing of senior veterans and their animal companions.
While many veterans have a primary care physician or a home health care professional, they may still need a real human connection beyond medical care. Veteran-funded home care can help you or your loved one maintain a more balanced life, one visit at a time. That's where ameriCARE comes in. We work tirelessly to connect dedicated, welltrained, and dependable caregivers to veterans across the United States.
If you're looking for a locally-owned home care company that provides veterans with personalized support, Request More Info today. It would be our honor to help you and your family navigate the VA and to act as your liaison throughout the benefit approval process.
Ready to get started on your journey with ameriCARE? Request More Info today to schedule your consultation and learn more information about how we can assist you or your senior loved one.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA - A preliminary 2.2 magnitude quake shook close to Gilroy on Wednesday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.The tremor struck the area at 4:33 a.m. It occurred at a depth of 5 miles with the epicenter about 5 miles east-northeast of Gilroy.Did you feel it? If you noticed the earthquake, you can share your observations using the USGS Felt Report form.Tremors past week Over the last week, there have been four tremors of magnitude 2.5 or above centered nearby. T...
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA - A preliminary 2.2 magnitude quake shook close to Gilroy on Wednesday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The tremor struck the area at 4:33 a.m. It occurred at a depth of 5 miles with the epicenter about 5 miles east-northeast of Gilroy.
Did you feel it?
If you noticed the earthquake, you can share your observations using the USGS Felt Report form.
Tremors past week
Over the last week, there have been four tremors of magnitude 2.5 or above centered nearby. The most significant was a 3.4 magnitude earthquake recorded in the same region one day ago.
The four largest earthquakes nearby in the last week:
What to know about earthquakes
Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U. S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale. Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Earthquakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but are most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. 100,000 of those can be felt, and 100 of them cause damage.
What to do during an earthquake
If an earthquake strikes, it's best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:
If you're in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
If you're in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.
If you're outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don't go inside.
If you're inside: Stay and don't run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say. "Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy," officials say. "If you're using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops." Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.
"There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines," officials say. "Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock."
Source: The U.S. Geological Survey
This article was generated by the CA Earthquake Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to [email protected].
City of Gilroy staff and San Jose Sharks officials will meet soon to talk about how to proceed with the 100,000-square-foot Sharks Ice Gilroy project in the face of rapidly increasing construction costs.Representatives from the two parties will meet March 6 as negotiations continue over the ice skating rink project, according to city officials. After that meeting, city staff will present the results of the discussion and a recommendation to a city council committee formed to oversee the project, for which negotiations began in 2019....
City of Gilroy staff and San Jose Sharks officials will meet soon to talk about how to proceed with the 100,000-square-foot Sharks Ice Gilroy project in the face of rapidly increasing construction costs.
Representatives from the two parties will meet March 6 as negotiations continue over the ice skating rink project, according to city officials. After that meeting, city staff will present the results of the discussion and a recommendation to a city council committee formed to oversee the project, for which negotiations began in 2019.
“Everyone has recognized that construction costs are much higher than anticipated, and now the Sharks are seeing if they can come up with a plan to figure out if there’s a way to bridge the gap,” Mayor Greg Bozzo said.
In 2022, when details about the Sharks Ice project began to materialize, the projected cost was about $30 million. In 2024, an architect for the project estimated the total cost had gone up to about $59 million, city staff said at a council meeting in June 2025.
Gilroy City Council member Zach Hilton said the negotiations are “going to get settled pretty quick.” Hilton is a member of the temporary Sharks Ice council committee, known as an “ad hoc” committee, along with Council members Tom Cline and Terence Fugazzi.
“We’re going to give (the Sharks) that space to find additional investors to fill the gap because the construction costs have escalated beyond” previous estimates, Hilton said. “We’re trying to come to a mutually beneficial solution.”
The project is proposed as part of the Gilroy Sports park on Monterey Road south of town. Construction of the ice rink will occupy about 100,000 square feet of land. Details include two NHL-sized ice rinks; a 65,000-square-foot “event level” on the first floor featuring a lobby, elevator, amenities, conference rooms, skate rental area and concessions; and a 15,000-square-foot gym on the second floor.
An architectural rendering from 2024 offered a 3,800-square-foot upper deck bar and lounge that would provide views of both rinks.
The Sharks Ice Gilroy project is a partnership between the professional hockey organization and the City of Gilroy. As of June, the Sharks agreed to pay for the project’s construction costs—possibly with the assistance of a taxable municipal revenue bond—and operate the facility when it opens.
Construction is expected to last 12-18 months, but there is not currently an estimated start date. Both city and Sharks officials were hopeful that construction could begin in late 2024, after artistic renderings of the structure were presented to the council; however, that start was delayed by the increasing construction costs.
City officials have hailed the proposal as a lucrative economic development opportunity that could serve as a bustling hub of community recreation as well as a destination for families, athletes and sports fans from throughout the region.
Through a spokesperson, the Sharks declined to comment before March 6.
Hilton added that while the Sharks have indicated they are still committed to the Sharks Ice Gilroy project, the continually rising construction costs present an air of uncertainty.
“We’ve got to figure out how we’re going to fund the difference, or we’re not going to fund the difference at all,” Hilton said. “An encouraging sign is (the Sharks) have finished their negotiations for the SAP Center and they still want to develop this project in the City of Gilroy.”
It’s that time of year. Our annual Best of Gilroy contest is in full swing with nomination voting now open and ready for you to make your selections.
There is a diverse mix of longtime local favorites and new shops, offices, restaurants and destinations that have made an immediate impression on the community’s consumers.
As we did last year, we expanded our Best of Gilroy published listings in more than 150 categories to include “Silver” and “Bronze” runner-up winners in the annual vote tally.
Conventional wisdom holds that although only one winner can gain the most votes in each category, there are still other favorites who may have fallen only a vote or two shy of the top spot. They too deserve recognition.
Go to gilroydispatch.com/best-of-ballot/#// to cast your votes.
Speaking of the best of the best, we got word from the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce that the 2026 Spice of Life Awards, honoring the individuals, businesses and organizations whose leadership and service continue to strengthen the Gilroy community, have been announced.
The award recipients will be recognized at the 2026 Spice of Life Awards Gala on Saturday, April 25 from 5-8pm, one of the chamber’s most anticipated annual events.
The 2026 Spice of Life award recipients are
Man of the Year: Dr. Pedro Avila, Gavilan College
Woman of the Year: Lisa Faria, Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno
Large Business of the Year: Performance Foodservice
Small Business of the Year: Banning’s Upholstery
Nonprofit of the Year: Gilroy Assistance League
Susan Valenta Youth Leadership Award: Madison Dutra and Chioma Okeke, Christopher High School
Educator of the Year: Bria de Lorenzo, Gilroy High School
Volunteer of the Year: Ed Sauceda
Heart of the Chamber Award: Barbara and Erwin Boggs
The Spice of Life Awards Gala brings together business leaders, community partners and elected officials for an evening dedicated to recognizing excellence and celebrating the people who help Gilroy thrive.
Tickets to the Spice of Life Awards gala are now on sale and available at gilroy.org/.
Attendance is limited, and the event traditionally sells out.
In addition, a limited number of sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses seeking elevated visibility and meaningful alignment with the chamber’s mission to strengthen the local economy through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
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