A Self-Directed Home Care Support Program for Veterans
Veteran Directed Care (VDC) is a Home and Community-Based Care personal care service option funded through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
VDC gives Veterans and their caregivers more choice, control, and flexibility in managing their long-term support services at home, rather than moving to a nursing home. Through VDC, Veteran’s hire their own caregivers—including family members and friends—to help with personal cares and household tasks needed to remain safely at home.
The VDC Program is a partnership between participating VA Medical Centers (VAMC) and Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A), to deliver these services to eligible Veterans in their homes.
How it works:
- The VAMC VDC staff determines a Veteran’s eligibility, assigns a care budget based on care needs, and monitors monthly spending.
- Eligible Veterans are referred to NEI3A based on program availability in the Veteran’s geographic location and program capacity of both the referring VAMC and NEI3A.
- NEI3A VDC Care Advisors support and empower Veterans in managing their own care—from planning to payments.
- NEI3A subcontracts with a Financial Management Service to manage payroll, payments, and taxes. (revised this statement)
- Ongoing support is provided by NEI3A and the VAMC through regular check-ins via phone and home visits.
How to get started:
To participate in VDC, Veterans must meet VDC administrative and clinical eligibility requirements based on VHA established guidelines. Veterans may qualify if they are enrolled with one of the following VA Medical Centers:
- Iowa City VA Medical Center (IA City VAMC catchment area)
- VA Central Iowa Healthcare System (VA Central IA catchment area)
Veterans should contact their VA Primary Care Team to learn more about the Veteran Directed Care Program and to see if they are eligible for referral. Veterans with a VHA authorized Community Care Primary Care Provider should contact them to submit a VA Request for Services for VDC.
To learn more visit: https://nwd.acl.gov/vdc.html (button to connect to this site)