From the Guidelines
A care home for veterans with specialized care for former military personnel is a residential facility that provides comprehensive support, including medical care, rehabilitation, and social activities, tailored to the unique needs of veterans, as seen in the context of the Veterans Health Administration's efforts to improve care coordination and outcomes 1. The care provided in these homes is designed to address the specific health concerns related to military service, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, combat injuries, or exposure-related conditions. These facilities typically offer a range of services, including:
- Medical care and medication management
- Personal assistance with daily activities
- Rehabilitation programs
- Social activities and community engagement
- Accommodations and meals The level of care in these homes can vary from independent living arrangements to skilled nursing care, depending on each veteran's specific requirements. As the Veterans Health Administration has established through its research and innovation, the goal of these care homes is to provide the best quality of care to veterans, while also acknowledging the need for greater integration with community-based medical resources 1. In the context of real-life clinical medicine, it is essential to prioritize the unique needs of veterans and provide care that is tailored to their specific requirements, taking into account their military service and potential health concerns. The creation of communities where veterans can live among peers who share similar experiences is also crucial, as it fosters a supportive environment that honors their service while meeting their healthcare and quality of life needs as they age or manage disabilities.
From the Research
Care Homes for Veterans
A care home for veterans with specialized care for former military personnel is a unique long-term care program that provides 24-hour community-based care to veterans, often until the end of life 2. These care homes, such as the Medical Foster Home program, support veterans' families and caregivers, addressing the social and cultural needs of veterans at the end of life.
Characteristics of Care Homes
Care homes for veterans may have the following characteristics:
- Provide 24-hour community-based care to veterans
- Support veterans' families and caregivers
- Address the social and cultural needs of veterans at the end of life
- Offer ease of access to medical and mental health services
- May have on-site supportive services, such as counseling and case management
Healthcare Utilization
Veterans residing in care homes, such as those in the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, may have different healthcare utilization patterns compared to independently housed veterans, including:
- Higher likelihood of physical and mental health morbidities
- Lower likelihood of utilizing outpatient medical services
- Higher likelihood of using emergency and inpatient care services 3
Barriers to Care
Care homes for veterans may face barriers to delivering resident-centered care, including:
- Staffing and resource challenges
- Acuity of residents
- Conflicts between resident-centered care and quality of care
- Regulatory barriers 4
Social Determinants of Health
Care homes for veterans should consider the social determinants of health, including the military experience, to provide person-centered and equitable care to older veterans 5. This may involve identifying and addressing health-related social needs and implementing interdisciplinary, team-based approaches to connect patients with resources and benefits specifically available to veterans.
Improving Consumer Experiences
To improve consumer experiences in care homes for veterans, programs should consider the following:
- Providing ease of access to medical and mental health services
- Offering clear tenant policies and tenant councils
- Ensuring staff are knowledgeable of non-VA resources and social services
- Implementing Veteran-preferred hiring practices
- Providing gender-specific accommodations and robust 24/7 security on-site 6