Robert Dole VA Center
The Veterans Administration is looking at expanding an existing caregiving program to assist veterans who live in rural Kansas.
The Medical Foster Home Program serves veterans who require additional daily help, said Amy Adams, who serves as the coordinator of the program in this part of Kansas. Adams is a social worker with the Robert J. Dole VA Center in Wichita.
Medical foster homes are private residences where the approved caregivers live and provide continuous care and supervision to veterans who are medically fragile. Homes can be owned or rented.
Caregivers may open up their homes to up to three veterans and are paid by the veteran or the veteran’s family for the services provided. Caregivers provide meals, transportation, laundry, personal care and socialization to the veterans who live with them.
The veteran’s medical care plan is provided by the VA’s Home-Based Primary Care, Adams said.
Caregivers should have one to two approved relief caregivers who can provide a break for the primary caregiver.
Adams said the VA has been very successful in placing veterans in medical foster homes in the Wichita area. Now she is focusing on rural areas, such as Ellis County.
“Existing caregivers tell me that this is a good option for people who want a work-at-home business who enjoy providing care to others,” Adams said. “Caregivers who participate in this program say being a caregiver is part of their path in life, and they find enjoyment in this type of work full-time.”
This program also provides a routine and normalcy to veterans facing medical issues or end-of-life, Adams said. Veterans live in a home with activities, socialization and a family unit.
“It can bring joy to both the caregivers and the veterans,” Adams said. “Many veterans are in need of caregiving because they often don’t have family or others in their lives who are able or willing to be caregivers.
“This will fill the gap in the current options available to veterans living in rural Kansas who need long-term care,” she added.
Interested caregivers in the Ellis County area are asked to call 316-814-1574.