Veterans Health Programs
Long-Term Care Programs
Approximately 103 VA-operated and 2,500 community-contracted nursing homes provide care for veterans through several VA programs, including the following:
-
Adult Day Health Care
Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) provides veterans day-time health care and rehabilitative services in a group setting.
-
Community Residential Care
Veterans who do not require hospitalization or nursing home care but who cannot live by themselves can receive room, board and limited personal care through the Community Residential Care program. Veterans have a choice of either a small family home or a larger, more commercial facility.
To participate, veterans must be mostly self-sufficient and exhibit socially acceptable behavior. This service must be paid for by the veteran themselves. The VA only covers the cost of medical care, which is provided by VA outpatient clinics.
-
Respite Care
Caretakers of chronically ill veterans can seek assistance through the VA Respite Care Program. The service is available to eligible veterans for 30 days each year. The veteran may be placed in a VA nursing home, an adult day health care facility or given an in-home personal care aide. Care is available at 136 VA medical facilities.
Eligibility
The following veterans are eligible for long-term health care:
- Veterans with a service-connected disability rating 70% or more
- Unemployable veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 60%
- Veterans whose service-connected disability requires nursing home care
-
Veterans who require nursing home care for a nonservice connected disability and who meet income and asset requirements.
Veterans who do not meet eligibility requirements will be considered for coverage on a case-by-case and space available basis. Priority is given to veterans with service-connected disabilities or who need post-acute rehabilitation.
