VA Boston marks medical foster home milestone following program relaunch

Medical foster homes provide an alternative for Veterans who meet nursing home–level care needs, but prefer to live in a more private setting. Veterans live in a private home with a caregiver who provides 24-hour supervision, daily assistance and companionship. Veterans enrolled in the program continue to receive comprehensive medical care through a VA interdisciplinary home care team, typically Home-Based Primary Care.

“When living at home becomes difficult, most of us would still prefer the comfort and dignity of a home-like setting,” said Leslie Pierson, executive director of VA Boston Healthcare System. “The Medical Foster Home program makes that possible for Veterans, while preserving independence, connection and quality of life.”

VA Boston’s re-launch aligns with national research demonstrating strong outcomes for Veterans enrolled in programs like medical foster homes or community residential care programs. Studies indicate the model is associated with lower costs and improved quality of life when compared with traditional nursing home care. A 2021 study co-authored by Darryl Grosso, chief of VA Boston’s Social Work Service, examined treatment bed utilization among Veterans with serious mental illness following placement in VA's community residential care program and found favorable outcomes.  

“Medical foster homes, which are closely related to CRC homes are a sensible, effective way to deliver long-term care,” Grosso said. “Veterans receive individualized care in a stable home environment while remaining closely connected to VA clinical teams.”

 The Antonelli Medical Foster Home was established through a partnership between VA Boston and community caregiver Yvette Antonelli, who learned about the program through VA Boston’s Home-Based Primary Care team and chose to open her home to Veterans in need of long-term care.

Caregivers participating in the Medical Foster Home program are not VA employees. The caregiver lives in their own home and receives payment directly from the Veteran, similar to VA’s Community Residential Care program. The monthly fee, agreed upon between the Veteran and caregiver, covers room and board, daily living expenses such as food and transportation, and caregiving services. 

Medical foster homes are carefully screened and overseen through VA’s Community Residential Care program. The program does have cap for how many Veterans can reside in a medical foster home at one time, allowing highly personalized, relationship-based care tailored to each Veteran’s physical, social and emotional needs.

“This program depends on strong partnerships,” said Jacqueline Beaulieu, a social worker and the medical foster home coordinator for VA Boston. “The caregiver, the Veteran and VA work together to create a safe, supportive home environment.”

Veterans living in medical foster homes remain enrolled in VA interdisciplinary home care programs, which provide home visits, medical oversight, caregiver education, and ongoing support. This structure allows Veterans with complex medical needs to receive consistent care in a familiar, home-like setting.

Medical foster homes are operational or in development at more than 150 VA medical centers nationwide, with expansion planned across the VA nationwide in FY 2026.

For more information about medical foster homes visit: https://news.va.gov/67696/studies-va-medical-foster-homes-show-good-outcomes-vets/