What is the Veteran Directed Care Program (VDC)?
Veteran Directed Care (VDC) is a new way of providing you with the assistance you need to remain at home.
Veteran Directed Care is a more flexible option than traditional in-home services. You can get the help you want when you want it. While working with a trained options counselor, you will decide what kind of help you need in order to maintain your life at home – from personal care, to household help. You will decide how often, and who will provide that assistance.
You and your options counselor will create a plan using an approved amount of VA funds so you can hire and manage your own help. This might include a variety of services and provides. For example, a care plan could look like this:
- Hiring a family member or friend to help you with personal care and/or assistance around the house
- Contracting a neighbor or professional to provide lawn care and snow removal
- Hiring a handy person or home repair business to make your home more accessible
- Utilizing grocery or meal delivery services
The goal of Veteran Directed Care is to provide flexibility and give you the control you want and the assistance you need.
How do I enroll in Veteran Directed Care?
AgeGuide currently partners with five Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) to deliver VDC services across Indiana and Illinois including: Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, Edward J. Hines Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Jesse Brown VAMC, Illiana Danville VAMC, and the Northern Indiana VAMC.
Veterans interested in VDC services must be receiving medical care from a participating VA Medical Center (VAMC) and be at risk of nursing home placement. Veterans who are interested in the program should contact their VA Primary Care Physician to discuss this program. Your physician will work with the VAMC’s Veteran Directed Care Coordinator to determine your eligibility and make a referral to AgeGuide for further follow up.
Please note, enrollment in VDC programs may be limited by the VAMC.
What happens if the VA Medical Center determines I am eligible for the VDC program?
An options counselor from AgeGuide or its partner agency will contact you to begin enrollment in the VDC program. Your counselor can:
- Answer any questions about the VDC program
- Assist in creating and maintaining a plan and budget to support your care at home
- Help determine if VDC can meet your needs