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 East Bethel, MN, 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 East Bethel, MN 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.
EAST BETHEL, Minn.The East Bethel City Council unanimously approved the city’s 2026 budget and property tax levy on Dec. 8, adopting a financial plan that includes a 3.8% increase in the city levy, a move officials say is necessary to address rising personnel costs, contractual obligations, and state mandated programs while maintaining essential services.The budget and levy were approved on a 4-0 vote, with Council Member Suzanne Erkel absent. By the same...
EAST BETHEL, Minn.
The East Bethel City Council unanimously approved the city’s 2026 budget and property tax levy on Dec. 8, adopting a financial plan that includes a 3.8% increase in the city levy, a move officials say is necessary to address rising personnel costs, contractual obligations, and state mandated programs while maintaining essential services.
The budget and levy were approved on a 4-0 vote, with Council Member Suzanne Erkel absent. By the same vote, the council also approved the 2026 budgets and levies for the East Bethel Economic Development Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
City officials said the levy increase will have a modest impact on homeowners. Using a $400,000 home as an example, Finance Director Mike Jeziorski said the increase translates to about $4 more per month, with the city portion of the tax bill totaling $1,276.56 annually, or $106.38 per month.
East Bethel’s total city levy for 2026 is $6,638,600, up from $6,392,500 in 2025. Jeziorski explained that the increase reflects a 6% increase in the general fund levy, partially offset by an 8% decrease in the city’s debt service levy.
The city’s general fund, which supports core services such as public safety, public works, administration, and elections, is projected to grow by 7%, with revenues increasing from $6,976,300 in 2025 to $7,455,700 in 2026. General fund expenditures are projected to rise by the same percentage.
Property taxes account for 77% of East Bethel’s general fund revenue, according to budget documents.
Under Minnesota’s truth in taxation process, the levy approved by the council represents the maximum amount the city may collect for 2026. While the levy can be reduced before final certification, it cannot be increased.
Jeziorski said the city follows a yearlong budget development process, using a financial model that incorporates the previous two years of actual financial activity, the current year budget, and projections for the upcoming year. The model includes updated salary, benefit, and debt service figures and is reviewed through a series of council meetings and a public hearing prior to adoption.
Before presenting the 2026 budget, Jeziorski highlighted several financial indicators. In 2024, general fund revenues came in at 102% of budgeted amounts, while expenditures were 95% of budget. As of Dec. 31, 2024, the city’s general fund balance stood at $5.2 million, equal to approximately 75% of the 2025 budget.
Jeziorski said East Bethel maintains dedicated capital funds for equipment, streets, parks, and buildings, completes annual audits, and holds an AA2 credit rating. The city also has an approved union contract through 2028.
According to Jeziorski, East Bethel has the fifth lowest tax rate among 21 Anoka County cities, at 31.914%.
Personnel expenses were among the most significant drivers of the 2026 budget. The city will employ 22 full time employees in 2026, all receiving an 8% cost of living adjustment, along with a $1,500 monthly cafeteria contribution. Nine employees are also eligible for step increases.
In addition to elected officials, East Bethel employs 35 paid on call firefighters, two seasonal summer public works employees, and five seasonal winter public works employees.
Among city staff, all six administration employees are nonunion. One of five community development employees is union. Eight of nine public works employees are union, while both fire department employees are nonunion.
Several contracted services increased for 2026, including a $110,000 increase in the city’s law enforcement contract, a $10,000 increase to the city attorney contract, a $1,000 increase to the audit contract, and a $13,000 increase to information technology services.
Department level changes from 2025 to 2026 include an increase in general government expenditures from $1,373,800 to $1,526,200, a slight decrease in community development expenditures from $678,900 to $674,200, and an increase in public safety expenditures from $2,452,100 to $2,635,100. Engineering expenditures remain unchanged at $20,000, while public works expenditures rise from $1,685,000 to $1,773,700. Transfers to other funds increase from $760,000 to $820,000.
The city’s 2026 debt service fund includes two outstanding bond issues with a combined principal balance of $14,365,000. Debt service expenditures are projected to increase from $943,500 in 2025 to $993,000 in 2026.
The overall 2026 budget includes the general fund, special revenue funds such as recycling, the Economic Development Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority funds, debt service funds, and capital funds for equipment, streets, parks, and buildings. Enterprise funds include water, sewer, and the city’s ice arena.
During public comment, residents raised concerns about property valuations and the city’s reliance on property taxes.
Resident Kory Jorgensen said his home’s assessed value increased by $41,000 after an assessor visited while he was not home. He said he was later told the visit was unnecessary because the home is slab on grade.
“I can’t understand how on God’s green earth my house went up $41,000 in one year,” Jorgensen said, adding that no changes had been made to the home since it was built eight years ago.
Another resident, Mitchell Webb, questioned the city’s reliance on property taxes for 77% of its revenue. Webb, who owns several commercial properties, said tax rates in East Bethel were significantly higher than comparable properties in Blaine.
“What my tax rate on a building is in the city of Blaine, compared to commercial stuff in the city of East Bethel, is not even comparable,” Webb said. He urged the city to explore alternative revenue sources, including taxes on cannabis and hemp related businesses.
City officials said the approved budget positions East Bethel to meet its financial obligations, maintain strong reserves, and continue delivering essential services in 2026, while acknowledging the concerns raised by residents as part of the ongoing budget and taxation discussion.
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