Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) Vice-Commander Ray Hutchinson ponders a brochure for the new Veteran Directed Care (VDC) Program. The Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) has launched this Program in May of 2024. “It compliments the highly successful VA Home and Community-Based Care Programs for our disabled veterans,” stated Hutchinson. More information in enrolling in this free VAMC Program can be obtained from Kevin Beck at (513) 861-3100 Extension 201669 or kevin.beck2@va.gov.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiated a new program for disabled veterans in October of 2023 and in April of 2024 the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) has started to implement this program. This new Program is called the Veteran Directed Care Program.
“This Program,” explained the former Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of Ohio’s Hospital Chairman Raymond Hutchinson, “is clearly different than the VA’s Caregivers’ Program.”
“The VA’s Veteran Directed Care Program (VDCP) is focused on the needs of the veteran,’ according to former Chairman Hutchinson, “while the Caregivers Program is primarily directed for the caregivers of the veterans. It is a self-directed Home Care Program for veterans.”
With the new VDC Program, the veteran is responsible for the veteran’s own personal services. These services include: what is needed, what and where services will be provided and most importantly, who will provide the needed services.
The goal of the VDC Program is to avoid a nursing home placement for the veteran. This goal is accomplished by approving a flexible annual budget to eligible veterans for them to purchase personal care assistance and specific services.
The key of this flexible annual budget is that no funds are directly paid to the veteran. Instead, a Financial Management Service (FMS) will assist the veteran with paperwork and pay the workers who the veteran selected.
The eligible veteran will be responsible for four (4) tasks involved with the VDC Program. They are: (1) Hiring their own personal care aides; (2) Recruiting, interviewing, supervision, reviewing timesheets, and determining employee wages; (3) Following all program guidelines; and (4) Purchasing needed items and services within the Veteran-developed and VA approved spending plan.
The services that could be purchased for a veteran with the flexible annual budget include specific personal care tasks, an Adult Day Care Program, home delivery services (such as Meals on Wheels), Respite Care and Care Coordination.
The VA considers personal care tasks, as assistance for bathing; dressing; grooming; toileting, fixing meals; and medication management. Respite Care is defined by the VA as “care provided by others to give a break to primary caregivers.”
The veteran, or the veteran’s Authorized Representative, will partner directly with the Southwestern Ohio Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to determine what services will be obtained, under the auspices of VDC Program. The AAA will assist with the development of the annual budget.
“I firmly believe that the VDC Program provides veterans of all ages the opportunity to receive Home and Community Based Services that they need in a friendly-consumer-directed way,” said Hutchinson. “This program is for veterans who are isolated in rural environments or their caregiver is experiencing a burden.”
Eligibility for participation in this VA Program is for veterans who have chronic medical needs and are interested in directing their own care. They are active with the Cincinnati VAMC and have a Primary Care Provider, who has seen the veteran at least within the last year.
Veterans who are interested in this Program should contact Kevin R. Beck, the Veteran Directed Care Social Worker at the Cincinnati VAMC at (513) 861-3100, Extension 201669 or kevin.beck2@va.gov.
The VA Cincinnati-based Interdisciplinary Team will determine the clinical eligibility for the VDC. The Team may refer the veteran to an alternate VA Home and Community Based Care Program.
“I have all ready contacted Mr. Beck and received the answers to my questions on this program,” concluded Hutchinson. “I would encourage all veterans who might need and could use this new VA Program to contact him to determine if they are eligible.”