Monday, May 18, 2026
May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to recognize and honor the service, sacrifice, and resilience of the millions of Veterans across the country. As communities look for meaningful ways to support Veterans beyond words of gratitude, programs that promote independence play an essential role.
Supporting Veterans at Home
At AgeGuide, supporting Veterans means helping them remain safe, connected, and empowered in the communities they call home. One of the ways AgeGuide does this is through the Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program, a person-centered initiative designed to give eligible Veterans greater choice and control over their home and community-based care needs.
The VDC program allows Veterans who are at risk of nursing home placement to receive home and community-based services while remaining in familiar surroundings. Through the program, Veterans work with trained counselors to create individualized care plans based on their personal goals and daily needs.
A Flexible, Person-Centered Approach
Participants in the VDC program receive a flexible budget that can be used for services such as personal care, homemaker assistance, transportation, meal support, home modifications, and respite care. Veterans may also choose their own caregivers, including trusted family members or friends.
This flexibility can make a significant difference in quality of life. Programs like VDC help many Veterans maintain independence, remain connected to their communities, and continue living in the homes they know and love.
Honoring Service Beyond Military Appreciation Month
Military Appreciation Month is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices Veterans have made throughout their lives. It is also a reminder that honoring Veterans means ensuring they have access to the resources, services, and community supports needed to age with dignity, independence, and respect.
AgeGuide’s Additional Veteran Resources page brings together local, state, and national resources designed to help Veterans and caregivers find the assistance they need, whether they are seeking care options, support services, or guidance on the next step.
