Veterans Directed Care

The Veterans Directed Care Program is designed to allow veterans who are potential candidates for nursing home care to remain in their homes, their caregivers’ homes, or in non-supportive, independent living communities (not assisted living residences). The program provides veterans with a budget and allows them to choose their own care providers in place of receiving care services from the VA health care system. Veterans can prioritize their own care needs, select their own care providers, and act as an employer instead of receiving nursing home care from the VA directly. In some cases, family members, friends, and neighbors of the veteran can be paid for the care they provide. The program serves veterans of any age who are at risk of nursing home admission and allows veterans to receive home and community-based services to avoid institutionalization.