In-Home Caretakers Terrible, MCU Much Better

Hi @tsc, Is your husband a Veteran? We have a caregiver 7 hrs a day, 5 days a week paid for under the Veteran Directed Care Program. The intent is to keep the Veteran in their home. We found a wonderful caregiver who has become family to us. I realize how blessed we are to have found her. The nearest care facility is about 2 hrs from us. The nearest excellent memory care facility is almost 3 hrs away & has a waiting list. (I think all the facilities within about a 3 hr radius have waiting lists. It’s not unusual.) We had 2 small facilities in town. Both closed this last year because of staffing issues.

I was convinced my wife needed the professional care that a memory care facility would provide. After 12 days, I brought her home. She really needs 1 on 1 care that the facility could not provide. Now she is much healthier and content and with some help from home care folks we are both in a better place.

Hi @tsc, Is your husband a Veteran? We have a caregiver 7 hrs a day, 5 days a week paid for under the Veteran Directed Care Program. The intent is to keep the Veteran in their home. We found a wonderful caregiver who has become family to us. I realize how blessed we are to have found her. The nearest care facility is about 2 hrs from us. The nearest excellent memory care facility is almost 3 hrs away & has a waiting list. (I think all the facilities within about a 3 hr radius have waiting lists. It’s not unusual.) We had 2 small facilities in town. Both closed this last year because of staffing issues.

Hi @coping123! I am most interested in the Veteran program your husband receives. My husband is a Vietnam veteran and I have not heard of any programs for at home care. How did you find it?
Thanks, @boppi

Hi @boppi
The Veteran Directed Care Program is contracted by VA to other agencies. In MT the Area Agency on Aging coordinates the program. Here’s a screen shot to show you where to look online for info. My husband is Vietnam-era as well. He does not have a service-connected disability & it is not a requirement for this program. If your husband has a VA disability rating there are even more programs he may be eligible for. ( I need to reapply for my husband as VA has expanded the PACT Act again & he may now be eligible for a disability rating.)

The process for enrolling in the VDC Program started with a referral from VA Primary Care Provider to VA Social Worker for an assessment appointment (which we were able to do via video appointment). The SW contacted the VDC Program Coordinator & she came to our house to complete her assessment & prepare paperwork. A budget was determined by VA & VDC and hours of care were determined by the budget.

Initially I was the Designated Representative for my husband & we had a caregiver 7 hrs a day/5 days a week. My husband had a rapid & substantial downtime & I requested program review at 9 months (instead of scheduled 12 months). He was moved up several tiers & additional hours were added. At that point I transferred the DR responsibilities to a trusted friend & became the 2nd paid caregiver for my husband. It’s only 14.5 hrs per week but it’s a huge help as we really needed additional income & I can’t be away from home at this point in the process as I am my husband’s “compass”.

The DR is responsible for hiring, firing, training, scheduling hours, approving timesheets, and reporting any changes in health, etc. to the VDC Coordinator. (Our Coordinator checks in by phone once-a-month & makes a home visit every 3 months. I update her on falls, medical treatments, etc. as the more detailed info she has & the better it’s documented, the more accurate the assessment reviews will be.) Any of the budgeted funds not used for payroll are placed in a “savings account” for the Veteran & can be used for items (not covered by VA) to assist with keeping him safe & comfortable at home. In our case there were funds authorized to purchase Ring cameras so he can be monitored throughout the home & the from yard without us having to constantly follow him & hover around. ( Being “babysat” - as he referred to it - caused significant agitation & conflict. The Rings solved that.)

Please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have. The VDC has been a HUGE blessing & aligns perfectly with my goal of keeping my husband at home until the end.

Hi @boppi
The Veteran Directed Care Program is contracted by VA to other agencies. In MT the Area Agency on Aging coordinates the program. Here’s a screen shot to show you where to look online for info. My husband is Vietnam-era as well. He does not have a service-connected disability & it is not a requirement for this program. If your husband has a VA disability rating there are even more programs he may be eligible for. ( I need to reapply for my husband as VA has expanded the PACT Act again & he may now be eligible for a disability rating.)

The process for enrolling in the VDC Program started with a referral from VA Primary Care Provider to VA Social Worker for an assessment appointment (which we were able to do via video appointment). The SW contacted the VDC Program Coordinator & she came to our house to complete her assessment & prepare paperwork. A budget was determined by VA & VDC and hours of care were determined by the budget.

Initially I was the Designated Representative for my husband & we had a caregiver 7 hrs a day/5 days a week. My husband had a rapid & substantial downtime & I requested program review at 9 months (instead of scheduled 12 months). He was moved up several tiers & additional hours were added. At that point I transferred the DR responsibilities to a trusted friend & became the 2nd paid caregiver for my husband. It’s only 14.5 hrs per week but it’s a huge help as we really needed additional income & I can’t be away from home at this point in the process as I am my husband’s “compass”.

The DR is responsible for hiring, firing, training, scheduling hours, approving timesheets, and reporting any changes in health, etc. to the VDC Coordinator. (Our Coordinator checks in by phone once-a-month & makes a home visit every 3 months. I update her on falls, medical treatments, etc. as the more detailed info she has & the better it’s documented, the more accurate the assessment reviews will be.) Any of the budgeted funds not used for payroll are placed in a “savings account” for the Veteran & can be used for items (not covered by VA) to assist with keeping him safe & comfortable at home. In our case there were funds authorized to purchase Ring cameras so he can be monitored throughout the home & the from yard without us having to constantly follow him & hover around. ( Being “babysat” - as he referred to it - caused significant agitation & conflict. The Rings solved that.)

Please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have. The VDC has been a HUGE blessing & aligns perfectly with my goal of keeping my husband at home until the end.

Oh My! You have been so very helpful!!! I don’t think my husband is at the point of needed full care at this point but it is definitely in the future. I will start this process shortly and just send you huge hugs for your caring help!!

@coping123 This is an excellent description of care available to veterans! I’m so glad that @boppie asked you about it and you answered with a great, detailed description. What would you think of my putting this as a discussion topic for all caregivers to read? Or, would you like to write it up and post it yourself? It could be so helpful to so many!