The Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program is a partnership with the Veteran’s Administration and the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County. The program is designed to help keep Veterans in their own homes and gives veterans of all ages the opportunity to receive services from a caregiver of their choosing.
There are no age restrictions or service connected requirements to quality for the Veteran Directed Care however to be eligible for the program veterans must:
- Be enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration
- Meet functional eligibility criteria as determined by the VA
- Be able to direct their own services or appoint someone on their behalf to direct their own services.
The VA is responsible for determining eligibility and the approval of service plans and budgets for the VDC Program. The veteran or a representative hires and schedules all care providers, services providers, and necessary supplies. It is very common for a veteran to hire family members, including their spouses, neighbors and / or friends to provide them with personal care.
Click here for more information about the Veteran Directed Care Program. For more information or to sign up for the program, call 954-357-6622 at Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services or 954-745-9779 for the Area Agency on Aging Helpline.
Resources Available for Veterans
Veteran Directed Care
The Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Services (VD-HCBS) Program provides qualifying Veterans the opportunity to hire workers and vendors to assist with their daily care needs, such as personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing, etc.), house cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, shopping, and other household chores. Veterans will make purchases and receive services under a monthly program budget plan to help maintain their independence, thereby avoiding the need to go to a nursing home or other long-term care facility.
The VA contracts with the AAABC to provide this program and the AAABC has partnered with Broward County Elderly and Veterans Service. Information is provided here and can also be obtained on the Broward County Elderly and Veterans Service website.
Eligibility: Veteran must first be enrolled by the VA for health care, have a VA primary care team, and meet the admission criteria for the VC-HCBS program; and receive a referral from the Miami Veteran’s Administration Medical Center (VAMC) for the program. Fees: No set fee Languages: English, Spanish, and Creole.
For more information click here.
The VetAssist Program
www.veteranshomecare.com
Regional Manager: Liza Erazo
Email: lerazo@veteranshomecare.com
Cell Phone: (954) 249-2509
The VetAssist Program is designed to assist senior veterans or their surviving spouses in obtaining the benefits they deserve. There are no out of pocket costs to the veteran or spouse to use our service:
- Assistance with VA Benefits: The VetAssist Program helps older adults navigate the complex process of applying, receiving and keeping VA benefits, including pension benefits with Aid and Attendance.
- Financial Support: For those who appear to be eligible the VetAssist Program will provide financial assistance to help cover the costs of in-home care until the VA approves the application.
- Care Coordination: Our staff will create a care plan that coordinates a combination of hands on care with technology to keep your loved ones safe and connected to the caregivers.
- Home Care Services: The VetAssist Program will connect veterans with home care services, including assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. Having someone take the veteran to doctor appointments, grocery shopping and light housekeeping are a few more services to be included in a care plan.
- Education and Advocacy: The VetAssist program provides education about VA Benefits and advocates on behalf of veterans to ensure they receive the benefits and services they are entitled to receive.
- Streamlined Process: The VetAssist Program aims to streamline the application process for VA Benefits, reducing the time and effort required for older adults to access the support they need.
Overall, the VetAssist Program serves as a valuable resource for senior veterans and their surviving spouses, providing support, guidance and financial assistance to help them live comfortably and independently in their later years. We have been in business since 2003 and have helped over 22,000 Veterans get the care they deserve and need. We serve veterans in 48 states with over 4500 home care partnerships.
We can offer our services now to ALL OLDER ADULTS and those that were not eligible for VA benefits. We have a program that will provide the same level of care and support, however, funded by the client, called Home Care Assist.
Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services:
2995 N. Dixie Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
(954) 357-6622
Fax: (954) 357-8815
TTY: (954) 357-5841
Email: elderlyandveterans@broward.org
Veterans Services Division offers assistance to veterans, their dependents, and dependent survivors, regardless of age or other identifying status. Services include Intake and claims benefits processing; outreach; and information and referral services.
Below is one link for all the programs provided by Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services.
https://www.broward.org/ElderlyAndVeterans/Veterans
Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Mon-Fri)
Languages: English, Spanish, Creole, French, Portuguese, Italian, Tagalong (Philippine Islands), Hindi, Hindustani, Urdu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Veterans in Crisis
If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with caring and qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves.
Available day or night – 24/7 this is a live connection and serves veterans, their families, and friends,
Call 988 and select 1
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) and is now active across the United States.
- Text 838255
- Start a confidential chat
- Call TYY if you have hearing loss 800-799-4887
When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
Additional resources are available at VeteransCrisisLine.net. This page includes a guide on warning signs, crisis signs and a self-check assessment. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare to connect to this information.
Florida Veteran’s Benefits Guide 2022
The Florida Veteran’s Benefits Guide 2022 is available as a PDF through the following link.
https://floridavets.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/FDVA-Benefits-Guide.pdf?v=2022
The guide contains valuable information including:
- Florida State Veterans’ Homes
- Veterans’ Benefits: Health Care
- Veteran’s Benefits: Education
- Veteran’s Benefits: Pension
- Veterans’ Benefits: Home Loan & Property Taxes
- Veteran’s Benefits: Insurance
- Veteran’s Benefits: Burial & Family Support
- Veterans’ Benefits; Motor Vehicle, Licensing & Fee Exemptions
- Veterans’ Benefits: Recreational Discounts & Fee Waivers
- Veterans’ Benefits: Employment Services
- Veteran’s Benefits: Legal Advice & Council
U.S. Veterans Affairs Support Programs
If you are looking for information regarding veteran caregiver support programs, below are links to programs that can assist you.
Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) - VA Caregiver Support Program
The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) is one of two programs within the Caregiver Support Program. PGCSS provides peer support mentoring, skills training, coaching, telephone support, online programs, and referrals to available resources to caregivers of Veterans. The Veteran must be enrolled in Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and be receiving care from a caregiver in order for the caregiver to participate.
Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Teams/Caregiver Support Coordinators - VA Caregiver Support Program
Caregiver Support Program (CSP) teams/Caregiver Support Coordinators are available at each VA Medical Center (VAMC) to help caregivers find the right support to meet their needs and to enroll in caregiver programs and services.
U.S. Veterans Affairs Benefits and Health Care Information
For all Veterans Affairs matters related to Health Care, Education, Disability, Records Access, Service Member Benefits and more, please visit
Veterans’ Service Records
Veterans who need help obtaining their military service records from the National Archives can visit:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
Fort Lauderdale Vet Center Medical Center
3666 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311
(954) 714-2381
Fax: (954) 714-2386
Website: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/
POMPANO BEACH VET CENTER MIAMI VET CENTER
2300 W. Sample Rd, Suite 102 8280 NW 27th Street, Ste. 511
Pompano Beach, FL 33073 Miami, FL 33122
Telephone: (954) 984-1669 Telephone: (305) 718-3712
Anyone, who served in a combat zone and received a campaign ribbon (Vietnam, Southwest Asia, OEF, OIF, etc.), is eligible for Vet Center Services. Family members are also eligible for services to deal with military related issues. In addition, parents, siblings, spouses, and children of any active-duty service member who dies while on active duty are eligible for bereavement counseling services. Services are also provided to any veteran who experienced military related sexual trauma while on active duty. Vet Center Services include outreach, individual, group, marital, and family counseling, bereavement counseling, medical referrals, VA benefits assistance, employment counseling, alcohol & drug assessment and referral, information and referral to community resources and community education.
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Mon-Fri).
Upon request, the Vet Center will provide services after normal work hours and/or on weekends.
William “Bill” Kling VA Clinic
(888) 276-1785
9800 W. Commercial Blvd.
Sunrise, FL 33351
Website: www.va.gov/find-locations
Each veteran will have his/her health care concerns handled by our primary care teams who will then become their personal medical provider. The clinic provides primary care, electrocardiogram (EKG), laboratory, ancillary testing, internal medicine, radiology, women’s health care, medication management and monitoring, vaccinations, alcohol and drug screening, and pharmaceuticals. Outpatient and day treatment mental health programs are available through the clinic.
Clinic Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Mon-Fri)
Eligibility: Veteran; honorably discharged only. Veterans must present discharge papers (DD-214) for eligibility.
Fees: Sliding scale; private insurance; costs for in-home services are covered under Veteran’s Benefits for service-connected veterans. Others pay a deductible fee. Languages: English; Spanish; and Creole United States
United States Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinics
Click here to see all outpatient clinic locations.
Having Difficulty Adjusting to Civilian Life – Check out Mission United
Many Veterans returning home from service struggle as they acclimate to civilian life. United Way of Broward County MISSION UNITED is available to support Veterans as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
To contact them, visit https://www.unitedwaybroward.org/form/mission-united-contact
