Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veteran Directed Care (VDC) Coordinator Kevin Beck (standing) responds to a question posed by Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 Treasurer Donald Sheppard, seated left. Chapter Commander Steve Smith, seated right, is taking detailed notes concerning the presentation. Beck addressed the DAV Chapter about the new VA’s VDC Program and discussed the many benefits to the veteran for participating. The Speakers Program is part of Chapter 63’s informational outreach effort to alert the DAV chapter members and the public of any new VA programs and projects. Photo Courtesy of DAVA Unit #63 Commander Shirley Plahovinsak. “The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) new Veteran Directed Care (VDC) Program was designed for disabled veterans residing in areas like Clermont, Brown, Highland and Adams Counties,” said Marine Corps Veteran Kevin Beck, supervisor of the VDC Program.
He was addressing the monthly meeting of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) on August 5, 2024. “His presentation was just one part of our Chapter’s educational outreach effort to inform veterans of programs and benefits that are available to them,” said Chapter Commander Steve Smith.
“The VA’s VDC Program focuses on the needs of the disabled veteran and provides an alternative to placement in private nursing homes,” explained VDC Supervisor Beck. “Under this Program, the veteran is responsible, with assistance from the Area Agency on Aging, for directing the veteran’s own personal care services.
“This Program differs from the VA-established Caregiver’s Program, where the focus is on the caregivers of the veterans,” stated the former DAV Department Hospital Chairman Ray Hutchinson.
These VDC-type services include, (1) what services are needed and (2) when services will be provided. Also, (3) where these services will be provided and more importantly, (4) who will provide the services.
The VDC-approved veteran will receive a flexible annual budget that can be used to purchase personal care assistance and for specific goods and services. “This flexible budget will certainly help the veteran avoid a nursing facility placement,” according to Beck.
A few of the personal care services that could be purchased include home delivery services, scheduled Respite Care and Care Coordination.
The best outstanding feature of the VDC is that the veteran can hire their own personal aides. “These aides can be the veteran’s family members, their neighbors or friends,” explained the VDC supervisor.
The VA considers personal care tasks, as assistance for bathing; dressing; grooming; toileting; fixing meals; and management of the veteran’s medication. “All of these tasks are necessary for the care and well-being of the veteran,” noted Chapter Commander Smith.
“As I understand it,” commented Smith, “the veteran, if approved by the VA, will partner directly with the Southwestern Ohio Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to project what services will be requested from the VDC Program.
The AAA will assist with the development of the annual budget.”
Beck explained that the disabled veteran may use an “Authorized Representative” of the veteran’s choosing to do the coordination with the Area Agency on Aging.
Several Chapter #63 members asked detailed questions of Mr. Beck and those questions that he could not directly answer at the meeting, he said he would provide answers the next day.
For example, if the veteran is currently participating in the VA’s Caregiver’s Program, the veteran would not be permitted to participate in the VDC Program.
Another posed question was if the veteran was the caregiver for his non-veteran spouse, could the veteran participate in the VDC Program? Mr. Beck responded the next day.
The answer: If the veteran needs care and has difficulty with his own Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Mr. Beck can complete an assessment to determine if the veteran is eligible. If the veteran is 30% or more service-connected, and served at least one day during a period of war, he could be eligible to apply for Aid and Assistance for his spouse.
Eligibility for participation in the VDC is for veterans who have chronic medical needs and are interested in directing their own care with personal aides that they know and trust. The veterans must be participating in the VAMC Cincinnati and be assigned to a VA Primary Care Provider, who has seen the veteran at least within the past twelve (12) months.
Page TWO of THREE Pages
“Having Kevin speaking with us on this valuable program is part of our providing information to our chapter members and them spreading the word to other veterans who might be interested in the program,” explains Commander Smith.
“Recently, we were honored to have Mr. Vance Holbrook, of the Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown address our chapter about the new developments at the Home and the criteria for admittance to the Home,” stated Smith.
“At our October 2024 Chapter Meeting, we anticipate having the Coordinator of the VA’s Medical Foster Home Program, Leslie Cooper, address our members on this new and exciting VA program,” concluded Chapter Commander Smith.
Veterans who are interested in the Veteran Directed Care Program should contact Kevin Beck directly at the Cincinnati VAMC at (513) 861-3100 and Extension 201669 or [email protected] .
Local News
Comments / 0