For senior veterans who can’t remain in their homes and who don’t want to move to a nursing home, there’s a growing alternative: VA medical foster homes.
Since 1999, an increasing number of VA hospitals around the country have reached out to homeowners in their communities, seeking people who are willing to provide live-in care for vets who need personalized care and a strong sense of community. Read on if you, a parent or senior loved one needs help with care and wants a home setting. The VA Medical Foster Home program might work for you.
Veterans who cannot safely manage their activities of daily living and health on their own may qualify for VA Medical Foster Home Program care. In order to participate, veterans must be enrolled in VA Home Based Primary Care, because those physician-managed home care services will continue in the foster home.
It’s important to know that the VA Medical Foster Home Program is only available in areas where local VA hospitals have started a program and foster-home caregivers have been approved.
There are programs at roughly half the VA’s medical centers now and the goal is for each VA hospital to have their own program eventually.
Caregivers must have some experience in providing care and they have to be willing to be available 24/7 (with backup caregivers on call as needed). Medical needs are handled by VA Home Based Primary Care workers, but assistance with activities of daily living, meals, shopping and socialization are all handled by the caregiver-homeowner.
Caregivers include couples, families with small children, retirees and widowed seniors. Some caregivers host more than one veteran — each local program has guidelines about how many veterans can receive VA Medical Foster Home care in one home — and they all offer vets a sense of community and family. Don't forget to look into benefits for caregivers of veterans, too.
Placements are coordinated through the VA, which also inspects the homes and offers supplemental training for caregivers. In some places, such as Michigan, caregivers must also meet the state’s Adult Foster Home licensing requirements in order to take part in the VA Medical Foster Home program.
Caseworkers and doctors factor in the type of care each veteran needs and what each host family can provide when making placements.
Veterans are responsible for paying the cost of the VA Medical Foster Home services directly to their caregiver. Typical rates range from $1500-3000 per month, and the exact figure is worked out in advance by the caregiver and veteran.
Long-term care insurance, VA Aid & Attendance Pension benefits and other benefit programs may help cover the cost of the VA Medical Foster Home program.
Contact your local VA medical center to find out if this program is available in your area. If so, VA caseworkers can help you decide if VA Medical Foster Home care is a good alternative for you or someone you love.
Janice, I'm glad you asked! It looks like this page here may be of service to you. You can always call the support line listed on this page with any questions.
http://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/support_services.asp
I would like to know who to contact to become a VA Medical Foster Program Services to assist the veterans who need a home environment
Kaylin says:Carol,
This support line may be of help to you if you want to call and ask? http://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/support_services.asp
I have a home for vetts already set up. I need help getting foster care program vetts in my home .
kevin woodhull
Home peace n Tranquilty
Hello Terri, if you visit the VA's page here it will tell you all about the medical foster home program: http://www.va.gov/geriatrics/guide/longtermcare/medical_foster_homes.asp
Elaine Lane says: would like to know more but the program RAY HUGHIE says: I am interested in becoming a medical foster care provider in Georgetown SC. I am a Registeted Nurse Kaylin says:Andrea, I would look up the VA medical foster program on the VA's website to find the best contact to reach out to near you.
Mary Kinney says:I previously spoke with you about three yrs ago. My father was in the space that you said would be appropriate. He passed in July of 2016. I was a foster parent with Mentor until 2012. Foster parent of the year in 2010. I'm a retired med Lab Tech and medical assistant. I have plenty room in my home I home you will consider me I am in good health. I hope that you will consider me again for a provider. Thank you
Kaylin says:Hello Mary,
I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. Are you looking to apply to be a VA medical foster home?
I currently operate an assisted living home in SC. I was raised in Chicago & am interested in being a provider in the Illinois area in the near future. I would like to be a provider for vets on need. The facility will be named A Heavenly Home. so excited and ready to be a blessing to others in need. please pass on. I can be reached @ elonne@email.phoenix.edu or Metallicflorals@yahoo.com. Thx & be blessed!!
Kaylin says:That is very noble of you, Elonne! I am sure you can find all of the resources to start a VA medical foster home or an assisted living facility that's geared towards veterans on the VA's website. If not, I'd love to research the topics more and provide them on here as articles for others who are interested.
