In Foster Homes, Veterans Are Cared for Like Family

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched the Medical Foster Home program as an alternative to nursing community care, reports Kaiser Health News . The program has an annual budget of $20.7 million to provide housing and care for more than 1,000 veterans in 42 states and Puerto Rico. Veterans pay their caregivers between $1,500 and $3,000 a month, depending on location, saving the government about $10,000 monthly in nursing community care. The VA sees the program as an option for fulfilling its legal duty to care for ailing, aging veterans at lower costs. The department says there are slightly more than 700 licensed caregivers in the program who live full time with a maximum of three veterans, delivering 24-7 supervision and care. Each foster home has to be state-licensed as an assisted living community and undergo frequent VA inspections, in addition to state inspectors, nutritionists, pharmacists, and nurses. Home providers are required to pass a federal background check, complete 80 hours of training before they can accept residents in addition to 20 hours of extra training each year, and permit the VA to make announced and unannounced home visits. Caregivers are not allowed to operate outside the home and must maintain certification in first aid, CPR, and medicine administration. To apply for the program, veterans must be enrolled in VA healthcare; have a serious and chronic disabling medical condition requiring a nursing community level of care; need care coordination and access to VA services; and be able to cover their care costs.