How VA’s Medical Foster Home benefits both caregivers and Veterans in a world where companionship and understanding are essential
Imagine your spouse, your mom, or your grandfather needing a higher level of care that you simply can’t provide, but you want them to feel like they are still living with family.
VA offers a unique and increasingly popular solution - the Medical Foster Home Program. This innovative approach to Veteran care places Veterans in the nurturing homes of dedicated, trained, vetted, full-time caregivers. The benefits of this program extend far beyond the immediate care provided, fostering deep connections that enrich the lives of both veterans and caregivers.
“Our Veterans gave everything for our country. My husband and I wanted to give back to them in their time of need,” said Medical Foster Home Caregiver Joan Brown. “This program has allowed us to support our heroes like Vietnam Veteran Bill Berry. Bill has truly become a member of our family.”
Under the Medical Foster Home Program, Veterans receive 24-hour personalized care, emotional support, and companionship in a non-institutional setting which ultimately improves their quality of life. While VA provides medical care and services directly to the Veteran, it also supports the caregivers.
Caregivers receive comprehensive training and resources to ensure they offer high quality assisted living care to the Veteran. VA’s support includes access to medical professionals, counseling services, and peer support groups to help caregivers feel confident, capable, and supported in their roles.
“The help and care that we as caregivers and Bill receives from the the Fayetteville VA Medical Center is amazing,” said Brown. “I never knew how great VA was until I became a part of this program.”
The Medical Foster Home Program may be appropriate for Veterans who require nursing home care but prefer a non-institutional setting with fewer residents. Caregivers, who are compensated, assist the Veteran carry out activities of daily living, such as bathing and getting dressed.
“Through this program, we see the powerful demonstration of how mutual support and care can transform lives,” said Medical Foster Home Program Coordinator Lori Ruddick, LCSW. “Veterans find a renewed sense of belonging and purpose, while caregivers experience the profound joy of making a difference. Together, they build a community where compassion, respect, and understanding are at the forefront.”
The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks currently has nine homes enrolled in its Medical Foster Home Program; however, Ruddick is continuously recruiting more.
“By opening their hearts and homes, caregivers provide not just care, but also friendship and family to those who have given so much,” said Ruddick. “In return, they gain priceless experiences and connections that last a lifetime. It's a beautiful testament to the power of human connection and the impact it can have on our lives.”
See for yourself how the Medical Foster Home Program works in this video. If you are interested in becoming a Veteran Medical Foster Caregiver, visit: https://www.va.gov/fayetteville-arkansas-health-care/programs/medical-foster-home/
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