Aging Services and Caregiver Support for Veterans

1. Aging Services and Caregiver Support for Veterans Julie Bury, LCSW-C, C-SWHC Assistant Chief of Social Work, Ambulatory and Emergency Care Clinical Center Anne Hall, LICSW Transition and Care Management Program Manager/Caregiver Support Program Supervisor VA Maryland Health Care System

2. Eligibility Information Service Connected vs. Non-Service Connected Financial thresholds and co-pays Not all Veterans are eligible for VA Health Care Services

3. Aging Services and Caregiver Support Resources • Homemaker/Home Health Aide • Adult Day Health Care • Respite

4. Aging Services and Caregiver Support Resources Continued Home Based Primary Care Veteran Directed Care

5. Aging Services and Caregiver Support Resources Continued Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Social Workers Durable Medical Equipment Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant

6. Aging Services and Caregiver Support Resources Continued • Community Residential Care • Medical Foster Home

7. Aging Services and Caregiver Support Resources Continued • Hospice • VA Community Living Centers

8. Aging Services and Caregiver Support Resources Continued State Veterans Home Program Non-Service Connected Pension with Aid and Attendance

9. Aging Services and Caregiver Support Resources Continued Special Monthly Compensation Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans

10. Access to VA Aging and Caregiver Support Services Veteran must be enrolled and assigned to a primary care provider to access most, but not all, of the above services and benefits PACT social workers as well as social workers in various specialty programs throughout the VA are available for assistance with education on and connecting to VA and community aging and caregiver support services Veterans Service Organizations and Veterans Benefits Administration Personnel are available to assist with Non-Service Connected Pension; Service Connected Compensation; Aid and Attendance; and Special Monthly Compensation claims as well as with Housing Grant applications Charlotte Hall can be contacted at 301-884-8171 or via www.charhall.org VA website can also be used to research and access services www.va.gov Encourage early VA enrollment, so it is not a crisis when assistance is needed

11. Caregiver Support Program (CSP) • Program for Comprehensive Assistance to Family Caregivers (PCAFC) • The Program General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) * Of note: The pause on discharges of Caregivers in the PCAFC is in effect at this time.

12. Authority for the Program 38 U.S.C. 1720G, as added by Public Law 111-163 § 101; and amended by Public Law 115-182 §§ 161, 163. 38 C.F.R. Part 71, promulgated through rulemaking at 76 F.R. 26148, May 5, 2011 (Interim Final Rule); and 80 F.R. 1357, Jan. 9, 2015 (Final Rule) VHA Directive 1152 (1), Caregiver Support Program

13. VAMHCS CSP Staff Program falls under the Department of Social Work Caregiver Support Coordinators Program Support Assistant Social Workers aiding with 90 day calls and home visits

14. Definition of a Caregiver in the VA • Per VHA directive 1152, a Caregiver is an individual who provides personal care services to the Veteran. • General Caregiver • Family Caregiver • Veteran’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, step-family member, or extended family member or; • Lives with the Veteran full time or will do if designated as a family caregiver but is not a member of the family of the Veteran.

15. What is the General Caregiver Program? Available to Caregivers of Veterans of all eras. No formal application or VA clinical treatment team evaluation is needed. Veterans or general caregivers may request any of the following benefits: Education, training, and technical support Telehealth Teaching Respite Care Counseling

16. What is PCAFC? Program is currently only open to Post 9/11 era Veterans and their Caregivers. Stipend Training Education Support Services

17. Eligibility Criteria for PCAFC A Veteran or Transitioning Service Member Serious Injury on or after Sept 11, 2001 In need of personal care services Minimum of 6 months

18. Application Review Review of medical record Initial education and review of application process Veteran and Caregiver Assessments Collection of all pertinent medical documentation supporting the need for a caregiver. Clinical Eligibility Assessment Team

19. Mission Act of 2018 Passed in June of 2018 The VA Mission Act expands eligibility for the PCAFC from only Veterans who were injured on or after September 11, 2001 to Veterans of all eras. Per guidance from VA Central Office, no applications for Veterans in eras other than Post September 11, 2001 are being accepted at this time.

20. Mission Act of 2018 Program Needs Prior to Expansion: 1. Implementation Plan 2. Funding 3. Additional Staff 4. IT Solution for Caregiver Application Tracker Replacement 5. Updated Eligibility and Clinical Assessment Tools

21. How do I find out more? Contact your local Caregiver Support Coordinator or local CSP office Caregiver Support Line 1-855-260-3274 Go to www.caregiver.va.gov

22. VAMHCS CSP Contact Information Caregiver Support Program Office Robert Degori 410-605-7000 ext 54143 Located on the 6th floor of the Baltimore VA Medical Center Room 6A-200 in the Transition and Care Management Suite

23. Questions?