I’ve been writing about senior care issues for several years, and I’m also among the first of my peers to have dealt with procuring resources for an aging or ill parent, and I have another aging parent, so I like to keep up with the options for senior care.
I’m not as familiar with veterans benefits as I need to be, but I learned something in my research: veterans have a third option other than assisted living or a nursing home when they are in need of medical care, but can’t live alone, and I hope it’s information that will help someone.
Under the VA Medical Foster Home program (MFH), a veteran in need of care lives with a family in the community who offer room, board and personal care.
The Veteran personally pays the home caregiver approximately $1200 to $3000 per month depending upon the care needs and the individual situation. It is expected to be a long-term arrangement and the VA assists by providing supervision and medical home care services through their existing programs for home care.
Find out if there’s a VA Medical Foster Home program near you, or contact your nearest VA Medical Center for more information.
-Elizabeth Thielke
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Kaye Swain says,
Very interesting!!! I’m writing about y’all today so will link to this as it’s my news updates day for the Sandwich Generation dealing with the issues of caring for elderly parents and this would fit in great! Thanks for the info.
on 17 June 2010 / 3:09 PM
Bill Reichard says,
I have been attempting to help a Korea War Vet, who recently had a stroke. There are very many hurdles to get through. He is now at a Foster Care Home, but his pension and Social Security are BARELY enough to live on, after he pays the $1825.00 per month for the assistance. Income is $1750.00. Could use some advice.
on 21 June 2010 / 6:48 PM
Irma says,
I am in a masters program in Gerontology and am researching housing options for seniors. While this concept is on target with what I am in the process of reviewing, if a Veteran happens to be on public assistance or is eligible for a housing voucher, out policymakers need to consider the option of senior foster car for those seniors who can no longer take care of themselves. By paying a family who may be in financial distress, the option to foster a senior, this will provide a win-win situation. The family who may have financial difficulties due to a loss of employment can foster a senior, who otherwise would be in a nursing home or in a low-income housing project, with no one to watch out for them, and the state can provide funding (as is done with fostering children), which would equate to a far less amount of money that it would cost to keep a senior person in a nursing home. Many people would be very willing to take in a senior person. Many people have lost senior grandparents and/or parents. This will allow people to care of others, and also give their children and grandchildren the opportunity to learn to respect their elders. With the baby boomer senior population ready to explode, we need to think creatively to address this critical housing dilemma in the very near future.
on 04 December 2010 / 1:32 AM