Volunteer Russell Johnson helps enroll veterans in the My HealtheVet program. Photo courtesy of Asheville VA Medical Center.

by Moe White

One of the more innovative programs designed to help out veterans and local residents is the Home-based Medical Foster Care Program, operated out of the Charles George VA Medical Center in East Asheville.

The Home-based Medical Foster Care Program offers an alternative to veterans who can no longer live independently but do not want to enter a nursing home.

According to Susan McKinnish, who directs the Asheville program, the Medical Foster Home program matches disabled vets with non-family caregivers who share their homes to provide ongoing care. The caregiver makes a long-term commitment to the veteran, so that even as the veteran ages and his or her needs change, he or she can avoid placement in a nursing home or hospitalization while enjoying a more home-like environment.

The caregiver, meanwhile, earns income at home by caring for the disabled veteran; the veteran uses his or her benefits to pay the caregiver according to the level of care required. The caregiver also receives on-going training and support from the MFH coordinator and a home care team.

A caregiver must be at least 21 years old and comply with the training requirements needed for the specific needs of the veteran. The caregiver must own or rent his or her own home, which must have a vacant room accessible to the veteran and pass a VA fire and safety inspection.

In exchange, the caregiver provides 24-hour care for the veteran, which entails: protection of the veteran’s privacy and confidentiality; medication management; assistance with personal care; nutritious meals; activities with family and the larger community; and emotional and social support.

Asheville’s VA Medical Center

In addition to inspecting and approving homes, the VA provides technical support regarding requirement and home modifications, education and training for caregivers, and ongoing support to both the veteran and the caregiver as needs change. The VA ensures that the veteran and caregiver are well matched and monitors their situation to ensure continued satisfaction by both parties. The VA also provides appropriate primary medical care in the home through an interdisciplinary care team.

The application process is rigorous, with a twenty-one page application form and requirements for fingerprinting and thorough inspection of homes for safety. But anyone who is good at caregiving and wants to give back to our nation’s vets, providing home-based care for a veteran is rewarding and fulfilling. The veteran gets a home and a quasi-family, and the caregiver both puts extra space in his or her home to good use while earning a reasonable living.

For more information about the Medical Foster Care program, contact Susan McKinnish at the Charles George VA Medical Center at (828) 298-7911, x 15834, or