When it comes to their care, VA’s “Veteran Directed Care” program puts Veterans at the top of the chain of command.
“Veterans are in control,” says Lori Cox, Veteran Directed Care manager. “VA gives them a budget based on their care assessment. They can hire their own caregivers, purchase approved goods and services. There are many options to keep them independent.”
Navy and Army Veteran Caren Scalla is exactly the kind of Veteran the program was designed for. She joined the Navy in 1973 to help her mom provide for seven kids. “I ran the mess hall, opened it up every morning,” she says. “I totally loved it.”
But as time went on, fibromyalgia began to get the better of her. Now, wheelchair bound and suffering from cognitive difficulties due to a service-connected traumatic brain injury, she needs help from her daughter, Shannon Jacobs, and her grandson, Michael.
“I started crying… it was such a blessing.”
“If it wasn’t for this program, I don’t know where I would be,” said Scalla. “I could end up in a nursing home. Shannon and Michael are my caregivers and without this program, I just don’t know where I would be.”
Jacobs is devoted to her mother. “I want to be able to care for her the way she cared for us as kids,” she said. But practical realities almost made that impossible. Driven by the ongoing struggles and challenges of juggling her job with the needs of her mother, she called a VA social worker to describe their need for help.
“I got a phone call back and Corey said, ‘I want you to know I just approved your mom for the Veteran Directed Care program,’ and I just started crying because it was such a blessing.”
“The goal of the program is to provide the resources needed to keep Veterans in their own home,” said Corey Crutchfield, social worker with the John J. Pershing VA in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. “Veteran Directed Care is a good program and we want more Veterans to know about it.”
Care Manager Lori Cox and Bob Bashaw
Recommend the program? “Heck yeah!”
Scalla wants to help spread the word. “It makes a difference, being able to hire your family instead of a stranger coming in to help with stuff like giving you a bath.”
Army Veteran Bob Bashaw hired his wife Susan.
Bashaw joined the military in California in 1965 and did two tours in Vietnam. After his return, he buried his experiences for a long time. “I signed up for VA in the late ‘90s,” he said. “As I talked to the psychiatrist, I broke down and realized—whoa—maybe there’s something here. I started opening up and talking to people. I realized it’s good to let it out.
“I have a hip that’s bone-on-bone,” Bashaw added. “My neurologist said it’s the worst she’s ever seen and I’m waiting for that to get fixed. I got referred for some help by my doctor and then Lori showed up. It seemed like a good plan.”
His wife acts as his caregiver. Would he recommend the program? “Oh absolutely – heck yeah. And Lori’s been an ace.”
“Compensation for people taking off work to care for me.”
Air Force Veteran Thomas Ellington has been using the program since January. Medically retired from the military in 1994, he has a degenerative condition that is affecting his mobility.
Air Force Veteran Thomas Ellington
“They told me by the time I was 40, I’d be in a wheelchair permanently. Well, I beat that by 10 or 15 years, but it’s coming.”
Participation in Veteran Directed Care has helped. “It’s financial compensation for people who are taking off work to care for me. Now I can compensate them and, for me, that’s a big deal. They don’t have to choose between helping out dad and having a short grocery bill.”
Ellington’s wife and daughter help with his care. “If it wasn’t for this program, I don’t know what we’d do. She’d just have to quit her job. We’d just have to let things go. It’s been a godsend.”
It’s more than just having someone to help with his care, Ellington said. “The flexibility takes a lot of stress off the Veteran. I like being in charge of my own care. I’ll take any autonomy I can get right now.
“Knowing there’s a program that’s going to keep me here at home instead of putting me in a managed care facility. VA’s got them and I’m eligible for them, but I would prefer to be home as long as I can before they put me in one of those. If I can stay home as long as I can before one of them has to just totally quit work and take care of me, that’s just a win for me and this program makes that happen.
“These people have been awesome and this program has been fantastic. It gives me a budget and it’s flexible. It allows my needs to be met. I really like the program.”
“VA has always been there for me,” Scalla agreed. “They’ve always taken care of me. They’ve made sure I had what I needed. And us being here together in this house is really important. To have a program like this is so wonderful. If you get on this program, it helps your family to stay together.”
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thank you Bernadette valdez My husband is Ben j valdez ….my husband is 88 yrs old. Thank you
I’m very happy for all the happy stories in this article, but it fails to clarify which VA division manage this program, like VBA, VHA or other, and also fails to mention where and how to claim this outstanding benefit. Please make it clear and simple for veterans of all ages and education levels, on how to receive the benefits they could be entitle to. Thanks!
Please don’t expect an easy path to get approval for this program – or for the “Aid and Attendance” program for disabled veterans. Some VA Regions will require what I would call “extreme vetting” before approving access to these programs – even if you are rated as 100% disabled by the VA and have had more than one ischemic events recently that have resulted in frequent falls requiring a walker to stay mobile. Perhaps, it is a matter of getting the right VA authority to support your efforts to access these wonderful programs – or are they wonderful if the vast majority can’t access them?
Terril J Heilman
Disabled Vietnam Veteran
P.S. HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THERE WERE TABLETS ISSUSED BY THE VA TO VETS. WHERE DID THEY GO? I NEVER GOT ONE HAVE BEEN GOING TO BRONX VA 30 40 YEARS. AS ALSO A RETIRED DET. NYPD AND PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR. WILL BE GLAD TO INVESTIGATE THE THE TABLETS DID IN FACT GO TO THE “VETS” AND NOT SOMEONE HOME.
WHATS UP THE VA TECHS. LIKE ALL COMPUTER TECHS THEY DESIGN THE PROGRAMS TO SUIT THEIR NEEDS NOT THE PATIENTS WHO ARE THE VETS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BUY OR USE A COMPUTER. WHERE DO I APPLY AS A SENIOR CONSULAT IN COMPIUTERS, TO THE VA? MUCH NEEDED.
I HOW DO I IN ROLL IN THE PROGRAM. APPROACHING 80 MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS. ASAP PLEASE, THANK YOU, WHEN DID I SAY THAT I DO NOT RECALL ASKING THIS QUESTION? WHAT UP WITH THE VA TECHS
I HOW DO I IN ROLL IN THE PROGRAM. APPROACHING 80 MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS. ASAP PLEASE, THANK YOU
Apply for VA health care (if you are not already in the system). Then call your local VA Medical Center to see if Veteran Directed Care (VDC) is offered in your area. If it is, contact your VA social worker or primary care team for a referral / consult for VDC.
HOW DO I GET INTO THIS PROGRAM, THANK YOU
Apply for VA health care (if you are not already in the system). Then call your local VA Medical Center to see if Veteran Directed Care (VDC) is offered in your area. If it is, contact your VA social worker or primary care team for a referral / consult for VDC.
How do I get this program
Apply for VA health care (if you are not already in the system). Then call your local VA Medical Center to see if Veteran Directed Care (VDC) is offered in your area. If it is, contact your VA social worker or primary care team for a referral / consult for VDC.
How do we get more information on Veteran Directed care program
Apply for VA health care (if you are not already in the system). Then call your local VA Medical Center to see if Veteran Directed Care (VDC) is offered in your area. If it is, contact your VA social worker or primary care team for a referral / consult for VDC.
Will be a saving grace for a lot of people in the program. It is very likely this will actually save money in the long run.
Wonderful news-I have issues that maybe I might use this program -hopefully not soon- it’s a God send!
are these benefits also available for widows? my husband served .Was a disabled 100% veitnam veteran. Received 2 purple hearts, 2 bronze stars. metal of comendation, air metal vietnam metal. letters from Pres. Johnson,Nixon and last Trump .Thanking him for his serv. Served in ARMY 1ST CALVARY. DIED WAR RELATED INJURIES.I AM 70 YRS OLD WITH MULTIPLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS.
Veteran Directed Care is only for the Veteran. This program does not apply to widows/widowers.
Nice article. Needs a link to the requirements and how to apply. It becomes a nightmare for a 87 yr year old veteran o jump through all the hoops
The Veteran can apply by asking the VA PCP, VA Social Worker for a consult for Veteran Directed Care. The Veteran must need hands on assistance with activities of daily living. The Veteran must see the VA PCP at least once a year for program eligibility. The VA VDC coordinator may recommend an occupational therapy evaluation for the Veteran based on what is documented in the medical records.
I agree completely!
I find it very disingenuous that the VA is tooting its horn about ‘caring’!!!
The ‘spouse’ of a veteran in need of ‘home care’ is barred from any type of compensation!!!
Something is wrong with that policy, it needs some correction!!!
Great news…just hope this is a simple process…..
Start with your VA PCP or VA SW for a consult if you need assistance with activities of daily living.
I am hoping to get assistance for my brother Terry Lachner who has stage 4 prostate cancer which has metastasized and he is considered end of life.
Your brother needs to be affiliated with the VA already, if not get enrolled with VA health care. Then meet/contact VA SW or VA PCP for a Veteran Directed Care consult.
Would like more
Information on this program
Veteran Directed Care will be mandated nationwide by 2026. The program allows Veterans to hire family/friends/caregiver of choice to assist them to stay in there home. This program hopes to keep Veterans out of nursing homes and employ the family that is already completing the care. You must need some assistance with activities of daily living (dressing, grooming, bathing, mobility, toileting). Not to be confused with IADL’s (transportation, housecleaning). The VA PCP or VA SW will be able to place a consult to see if you meet the requirements. A PT/OT assessment may be recommended.
I just wish all Veterans could get caregiver services, my other half has no certified disability, so does not have a % of disability, so we cannot get caregiver services for him. He is disabled, has End Stage Renal Disease, pancreas issues, cancer in colon, blood issues, etc. I just wish all could be treated the same, as they all fought for there country. (Note he served in Korea in 66-67, in an area with no vegetation, as all was dead, in a military mash unit hospital outpost, 7 miles from the DMZ). He really needs caregiver services.
Forgot to say he is also on dialysis 3 times a week, and has to get there and back.
I truly hope that your ‘Vet’ gats the help that he is due!!!
The second largest segment of our VDC program is 0% SC. You have to be SC for the caregiver support program, not for VDC.
Veteran Directed Care looks at what assistance is needed for the Veterans in regards to activities of daily living. Service connection and income is not a disqualifying factor.
I only know of a program like this for Veterans that are 70 percent disable rated or higher. I am rated at 60 percent, and have been unable to get such a program for myself, to help my Wife, who has to care for me.
You do not have to be SC to be eligible for VDC; 70% SC is for the Caregiver Support Program.
You have to be 100 percent service connected. We applied and was granted first time.
That is not correct. The second largest segment of our program is 0% SC. You have to be SC for the caregiver support program, not for VDC.
I am an Army veteran who is now taking care of my wife who has a serious illness. I drive her to all of her medical appointments, do all the cooking and cleaning. I have to assist her to get around the house in a wheelchair. My daughter assists with taking care of her personal needs. As a wife of a Veteran (myself) would she be eligible for this program?
Nice article, however, living in the Philippines, at age 77, VA Manila expressing, VA Caregivers does not apply to veterans living abroad. Please update veteran Paul Woolford, as he is dearly in need of caregiver, as VA Manila, GRANTED Veteran Woolford Aid and Attendance 15-years ago, but “NOT AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE.”
Please note: Brain Damaged veteran Woolford rated 100% for Temporal Lobe Syndrome (brain damage) service-connected, however VA Manila reduced veteran’s 100% to 10% & veterans 100% Thoracolumbar Spine Impairments (service-connected), Orthopedic doctors rated veteran @100%, VA Manila rate veteran @20%. For the past 6-months veteran in need of orthopedic surgery if he is ever to walk again, thus far, VA, including the Secretaries Office for Veteran Affairs, have totally neglected veteran Woolford. Help needed here. In short
For veteran Woolford
How do I apply? I need help. I forget to take my pills. I’m in constant pain, unable to do simple things
This is a great program to be a part of. My wife became my caregiver in July and I thank God and the VA. Their isn’t much I can do around my home now, and my children live in another state. With my wife and the VA help I am doing okay now. Thank you again VA. I am so thankful for all you do for me. I thank Jesus everyday for all those people that He has put into my life.
Hello My name and s Danyell Brackins
I am a caregiver in the private sector I am also a army Vet. I would love to team up and be a part of your team of care giver services for veterans.
I look forward to working with you.
I can be reached anytime
If you are located in Colorado, reach out to me. Our Veterans are always looking for outside caregivers. Khowell@the-ic.org
Where can I get more information on this article and who do you speak with about the hire your own caregiver program.
Your VA SW or VA PCP can place a referral for Veteran Directed Care for you.
Still eagerly awaiting your response
I am in need of daily help. Due to my health problems, I have that I am unable to due to for myself.
I had home health from the beginning in 2017 and they showed my wife how to take of my wound care, So I dismissed home health
My wife has been taking care of my wound area daily.
We have applied for the VA Caregiver Support Program since 2020
It has been denied every time we have applied.
I have needed my wife’s help for the past 15 years.
Since 2017 with my serious problem, I have had since then has needed daily care.
I have other problems that immobile my daily activity. with the need of my wife help.
Each time that we have applied for the Va Caregiver Support Program. It was denied. I am in the process of appealing the decision.
Try Veteran Directed Care instead. It’s quite possible you could be eligible even if you don’t qualify for the Caregiver Support Program.
Veteran Directed Care sounds good. Why can’t I get it?
Do you need hands on assistance with dressing, bathing, eating, transferring, walking and/or toileting? If so, if there is good VA PCP documentation you should qualify. If you are not signed up for VA health care you need to start there. You must see a VA PCP annually to remain in the program. Pending medical documentation you may be asked to complete a PT/OT evaluation for a better description on the assistance you are requiring.
QQQ What if you have No ‘Local’ VA Medical Center to call about Veteran Directed Care (VDC)? Many of us moved overseas in order to afford a Caregiver/Helper. What can we do?
Do you receive any health care from the VA?
Glad I came across this post. As I am 100% P&T and work as a Medicare Insurance Agent I love having more resources to share with fellow Veterans.
I am my husband’s caregiver and it has made life for us a lot easier. It has reduced a lot of the financial stress due to the compensation given by VA to help with a lot of the items he needs that were a strain on our budget. I really appreciate VA for caring about the veterans. It has been a tremendous help to us.
Veteran Directed Care Program is what most veterans needed to help them with their daily health sufferings. Appreciate to know that they can experienced quality and private care in their own home environment with love ones without the sacrifice of financial income for veteran and family. Thank you for a well thought program to ease all sufferings a veteran is experiencing.
God Bless!
I am a community partner for Veteran Directed Care in Colorado. This is a program through the Veterans Health Administration. Apply for VA health care (if you are not already in the system). Then call your local VA Medical Center to see if Veteran Directed Care (VDC) is offered in your area. If it is, contact your VA social worker or primary care team for a referral / consult for VDC.
Veteran Directed Care does not require a service connected disability, has no financial eligibility requirements, and does not interfere with pension benefits.
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! Sombody who finally answered the HOW question Thank you. My husband & I live just outside Colorado Springs. I will be checking on this for him. Thank you again.
Yay! Glad I could help. We manage VDC in 20 counties in the VA-ECHCS (Denver) area, to include El Paso County. Looking forward to hopefully see a referral soon!
I am a Navy Veteran who uses crutches. My wife just passed away and we have my eldest step-daughter to clean our/my house. Do I fall into this program? I live in Meridian, Idaho.
If your daughter is assisting you with activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, grooming, mobility, toileting) then yes. If she is just assisting with IADL’s (housekeeping, cooking, shopping, laundry) then there is a possibility you would not. Speak to your VA SW or VA PCP for a Veteran Directed Care consult. If this program is not in your area it will be, since its being mandated nation wide by 2026.
How donI get in this program
Just got off the phone with Ebenefits and they could not give me any information concerning this program. Why post it if we have no way of being able to access it? Is it for real/does it really exist?
[Editor: https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/pages/Veteran-Directed_Care.asp ]
Yes, it does exist, I am the Coordinator for this program in Colorado Springs, CO. It is not a part of benefits and is under Geriatrics. Your VA SW/VA PCP can place a consult for Veteran Directed Care to determine eligibility. This program has not been yet mandated nationally (that is coming in 2026).
Where can a veteran signup for this?
VA PCP or VA SW must place a consult for you. Ask for a Veteran Directed Care consult.
how can I become a caregiver for vets. I have current CNA license and available.
I, have not heard about this program and I don’t know if I am eligible for it. It would be great if I qualify. how do I find out more about this program. The VA has qualified me before, but I didn’t want a stranger washing my body. It’s embarrassing to have a stranger washing my privates’. I just couldn’t allow it.
See the comments above. They should answer your questions.
What is the hourly wage paid for a caregiver working part time 3 hours 3 times a week upon referral from a Primary Care VA doctor? Thank you.
Hourly wage is determined by the budget and the Veteran. There are 12 different levels of funding.
sounds like a good program need more inf.
This article says nothing about what the qualifications are for this benefit. You can do better, I know it.
I would love to learn more about this as I could really use a caregiver at my home and that is what my wife is to other people outside our home.
I am a 100% P&T service connected Veteran. I would like more information about this program please. Thank you.
How does a vet go about getting approval for this program? I’m going to need it soon
Your VA PCP/VA SW can place a consult for you.
my wife took the course to be my caregiver she was certifyed and they never let her get the position. I am 100% Disabled and I have a hard time walking and still on oxygen 5liters so why was she not appointed to me as a caregiver which does 24/7
I applied for my husband in October of 2020 when it opened up for the program we were denied twice, December 2021 we sent new evidence to the Intake center next month will be two years. My husband is a combat veteran from Vietnam with multiple Illness PTSD, Suicidal, Agent Orange, has to wear a diaper, he leaks from prostate cancer and has no control of his bowel movements, and they say he don’t meet the 6-month requirement. It’s a joke how they treat the vets, especially the Vietnam vets.
My husband says they are cursed.
I’m so sorry your husband is being overlooked by our government. Blessings to the both of you.
The denials you mentioned seem to be for the PCAFC (caregiver program). Veteran Directed Care does not have a 6 month requirement. We have had Veterans on our program for 2-4 weeks while they were at home with Hospice. There is no length requirement.
Tell me more, much more.
I was wondering if this is the same program as Bay aging
How do I get enrolled in this program. My wife helps me with all my medicines, treatments and doctor appointments. I am a honorably discharged veteran of US Navy and the Alabama National Guard. This would be a big help for me.
I am presently retired and have to accompany my 89 year old husband to every doctor visit. I don’t drive and it is difficult trying to get him to the doctor. I do what he can’t do.
My husband served in The Korean War in the late 60s and has a medical problem sustained during his time in the Air Force . He was denied any more than the 10 percent for his disability two years ago.
Presently he has a blood disorder, knee problems due to service connected ,hearing loss just to name a few. I am his wife who goes with him to his appointments . I was wondering if I could qualify to become his caregiver.
How do you get on this program? My wife Galina already looks after all my medications and keeps up with my appointments and always goes with me. I served four years active duty in the US Navy mostly in the 7th Fleet aboard the USS Tolovana a replenishment ship at a time when China was bombarding Quemoy Islands of Taiwan and we were operating in this zone. and the USS Reclaimer which was a salvage and rescue vessel. We performed several crucial salvage operations and one where a US ship had run aground in Korea. We also worked hard to prepare an island in the South Pacific for the last Open Air Hydrogen Bomb test.
I am 88 years old with 50% disability. My ability to move around and care for myself decreases gradually so that I fear a nursing home is my fate soon. My wife is 65 and is an excellent caretaker but must work for financial reasons. Is it possible we could qualify for this program?
My local VA clinic is in Rice Lake, Wiscnsin.
[Editor: Please do not publish your personal or sensitive information on the internet. I have removed it from this comment.]
I am 75 and live alone. So far I am ok taking care of myself. When the time comes and I need help, how do I find out if I qualify?
Respectfully,
Harry R. Horde
MY NAME IN ROMEO RUSSO. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR MAYBE 4/5 YRS TO BE APPROVED. AT THE MOMENT I AM WAITING FOR THE RESULTS OF THE REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO THE VA. MY SON WHO IS 64 QUIT HIS JOB 5YRS AGO MAINLY BECAUSE MY WIFE JANICE WAS HAVING THE BEGINNING EFFECT OF DEMINSHA, AND AS THE YEARS PASSED I WAS GETTING WORSE STARTING AROUND 2010. AT THIS POINT I HAVE LOST MY BALANCE AND THE PAIN WALING IS UNBARABLE……I GO TO THE YMCA AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK, I USE THE POOL TO WORK MY LEGS AND IN THE GUY I DO LIGHT WORKOUTS. I”M HOPING THAT WE RECEIVE GOOD RESULTS BECAUSE MY SON HAS GONE THRU SO MUCH, HE LIVES WITH US. MONITORS OUR MEDICATIONS, DOES ALL THE COOKING OF BREAKFAST AND DINNER. AGAIN, IF YOU CAN CHECK ON OUR PROGRESS IN THIS MATTER IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU
[Editor: Please do not publish your personal or sensitive information on the internet. I have removed it from this comment.]
I am 87 years of and I was diagnosed last January with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The two neurologists that see me have indicated that I have about
two( 2) years to live. I am still waiting for the people that classify you as disabled to respond. I have several other diseases: chronic COPD/ASHMA, Stomach
difficulties, and one leg that does not want to walk -it is now braced and I am still waiting. Maybe I could hire my wife to help me since that’s pretty much
what she does, 24/7
Yes you could. Since 2016 we have had a number of Veterans with ALS employ their spouse or children.
how do I sign up for this
I had sent a message about VDA a few months ago and no one seemed to know about it.
My question is what’s do I apply? Is there a specific form number?
Thank you
I had a caretaker for years but the VA said I don’t qualify even though I’m 100% totally disabled.
VN COMBAT VET 68/69 AND NOW IM A VA POW
Interested in the caregiver program and take care of my husband
Where’s the link to the program? It makes no sense to tout it without giving the veteran reader the ability to be able to go directly to the relevant website to see if he/she can apply/qualify for the program.
great plan
Thank you!
My husband served two years in the army altogether, at Fort Polk , La, then to Valley Forge General Hospital, where he was trained to be a medical technologist. He worked long hours in the TB lab and eventually tested positive for the disease. He had to take the medicine for over a year. I don’t know if this counts as “wounded” but it should!! He is now 77 years old and has type I Diabetes, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and now dementia. Is there anyway that he would qualify for some VA assistance?? I am his wife and full time caretaker and could use any assistance he may qualify for financially especially. I want to keep him with me as long as possible but if I could be hired as his full time caregiver it would solve many problems. His full name is James Robert Holmes, he is from Center, Texas.
[Editor: Please do not share personal and sensitive information on the internet. I have edited it from this comment.]
You should go into a VA center/office or check your state’s veteran affairs office…they tend to have someone there that can assist your husband in applying for benefits. With that said, you want to take a look at his military documents and have them available when you apply.
Another place to also look is https://www.benefits.gov/benefit-finder
Good Luck to you!
Thank you for this website link.
God bless you and your husband, as I hope you get the help you need. This is a wonderful program and a blessing to all. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.