Noteboom The Law Firm

Medical Foster Homes Are Positive Alternatives For Vets Needing 24-Hour Care

March 19, 2010 - Veterans needing medical assistance but not ready to move into assisted care have another option at their disposal. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) runs a program that allows disabled veterans to enter into a "foster care" type of environment in a home setting.

The program started in 2000 in Little Rock, Ark. Soon after, the Tampa, Florida VA started a similar program and was followed by a VA in Puerto Rico. The program utilizes a medical foster-care team who serve two functions: assessment and treatment.

The staff consists of:

• An RN;
• A physician's assistant;
• A physical therapist;
• A psychologist;
• A dietitian;
• A pharmacist; and
• A physician.

The local VA in Souix Falls, South Dakota has approved 6 homes that could hold 14 veterans using this type of housing program. Nationally, their goal is to be able to house 25 veterans, which is the limit of what their staff can handle. The staffing levels are important because the veterans living in the medical foster homes need individualized treatment and assistance so there must be a low ratio of veterans to staff members.  

One advantage to the foster-care style environment is the highly individualized treatment each veteran receives as opposed to living in a nursing home where schedules are much more regimented. Foster care allows the veterans, for the most part, to tailor their care to their schedule.

Families are highly encouraged to continue interacting with the veterans. Caretakers have even noticed family contact has increased once the veterans are into the more hospitable environment.