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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
Geriatrics and Extended Care Programs
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Community Living Centers
Community Living Center Care is provided to
veterans who meet specific service
connection criteria and who do not
need to be in the hospital but require
nursing and related medical or psychosocial
services. VA community living center care
is offered at each medical center. The
program is designed to help the patient
return to a community setting. This
might include returning home, going to
an adult care home, or to a Community Living Center. Even if a patient leaves a
VA Community Living Center, they are still able to receive the help they need
from the VA.
Community Living Centers
The Community Living Center Program places patients who
need community living center care into a community living center at VA
expense. VA pays the communit living center costs for eligible patients (for a
limited time) until other funding (such as Medicaid) can be arranged.
Geriatric Evaluation Management Clinic (GEM)
Geriatric Evaluation Management (GEM) Clinics are designed to
meet the complex health care needs of elderly veterans and those with
chronic illness. Patients receive basic, general health care from a
primary care doctor. When a patient’s needs become too complex, they
are referred to GEM Clinics for evaluation and management.
Dementia Care Management
Dementia is a condition that affects the brain. Memory loss is
one of the first signs. Other signs can be changes in personality or
behavior. Speaking clearly might also become a problem. The Geriatrics
and Extended Care Line offers help in obtaining a diagnosis, treatment
and care for dementia. Providers in the clinic do the history on
neurological issues. There are professional Dementia Care Managers
at each medical center who work primarily with the providers and
specialty staff.
Early diagnosis allows patients and their families time to try
treatment options. It also gives them time to connect with support
groups and make practical plans for the future.
Respite
Respite provides caregivers a “break” from their caregiving
duties. Respite care is provided if a caregiver becomes sick, needs to
go out of town, or simply needs a break from the stress of providing
“around-the-clock” care to a patient. Respite can be a key in helping
the veteran live at home for as long as possible. Respite care is
available for up to one month per year.
Advanced Illness Care Coordination (AICC)
The Advanced Illness Care Coordination Program (AICC) is a
comprehensive approach to advanced illness/end-of-life care. The
program uses a case management approach by a nurse or social worker.
The visits help reduce barriers to palliative care by introducing
advanced illness and end-of-life discussions among doctors, nurses
and patients, ensuring support for quality advanced illness care; and
providing patient-centered care that encourages mutual-participation
relationships, informed choice, and patient autonomy.
AICC Coordinators will be your point-of-contact at each facility.
For a list of phone numbers, see page 7.
Palliative Care
Palliative Care is a supportive
service for anyone with an advanced
and progressive illness who would like
assistance with symptom management.
The goal of Palliative Care is to reduce
the patient’s pain and discomfort and
to help them be as comfortable as
possible in a home-like setting. The
patient’s and family’s personal choices
are supported which include life
celebration. A variety of activities
help enrich the meaning and quality of
the patient’s life.
Hospice Care
Hospice Care is a type of Palliative Care. A patient receiving
Hospice Care typically has a terminal condition with a life expectancy
of less than six months. The patient does not receive treatment
that would prolong his/her life.
Adult Day Health Care
Adult Day Health Care strives to maintain or improve the health
of patients. This enables family members and other caregivers to
continue to care for the patient in his/her home.
This program may be offered through a VA managed program or
through a community-based program that the VA pays for. During
the day, veterans receive care in a safe, structured setting and return
to their own homes at night. Adult day health care programs focus on
general health care and the social needs of the patient.
Skilled Home Care
Skilled Home Care provides certain health care services in the
patient’s home. Services may include community living center care, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, speech therapy, and social work. Care is
provided under the direction of a VA doctor or contracted doctor.
Care may include catheter irrigation/changes, colostomy bag changes,
and dressing changes. Help with medications, prosthetics, massage,
turning, positioning and transferring, may also be included. Spinal
cord injury patients may receive bowel and bladder care.
Homemaker/Home Health Aide
The Homemaker/Home Health Aide Program permits the VA to
pay for homemaker and home health aide assistance for veterans.
The program supports veterans living at home instead of being placed
in a community living center. The types of services provided include assistance
with bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and getting in or out of bed
or wheelchair. Other services can include help with walking, exercises,
using medical equipment, and health monitoring. In some cases,
specific household tasks such as light housekeeping may be provided
following personal care.
Home Based Primary Care
Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) is a special program that
provides primary health care in the home for the severely disabled
or chronically ill patients. HBPC manages patients with complex
medical problems (these problems require long-term care to maintain
the patient’s health status or slow its decline), patients with a
terminal illness, and certain patients with relatively short-term
problems. These patients need health care services, home training,
and home adaptation.
Services are provided until the patient can be properly cared for
in an outpatient clinic.
Community Residential Care
The Community Residential Care Program provides room, board,
and limited personal supervision (at the veteran’s expense). VA nurses
or social workers make regular home visits and veterans continue to
receive their health care through the VA.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: December 3, 2007 |
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