New option available to keep aging veterans in homes longer
The Horsts have opened their home up to a veteran in need of care after going through a lengthy certification process with the VA.
October 28, 2015
Charlea Mills
Some foster homes aren’t as they seem. For a couple in Golden, their home was approved for fostering about a month ago, and they’re waiting for their family newest addition: a veteran.
Foster homes are usually synonymous with children in need of a place to stay, but for our nation’s oldest generation, there is also a need for a stable home. Michael and LoAnn Horst’s home is the first in Barry County to become certified as a Veterans Affairs Medical Foster Home.
Michael said, “The nice thing about it is that rather than being in an institution, they are still in a home. It’s more one on one care.” VA Medical Foster homes are a good alternative to veterans moving into an inpatient facility like a nursing home. The closest nursing home to Barry County is in Mt. Vernon. With a foster home, veterans can stay closer to their families and have the care they need.
Michael and LoAnn were approached about becoming a foster home after caring for LoAnn’s father, a World War II veteran, in their home for nine years. Eventually, he had to be moved to an inpatient facility due to progressing Alzheimer’s but they want to be able to keep sharing their knowledge and caring nature with others.
Some of the benefits that come with staying in a foster home are similar to a nursing home: assistance with daily living, activities, nutritional meals and medication management. However, one huge benefit involves medical care. Any type of routine medical care by a doctor or nurse is done in the home. Veterans do not have to be taken to the VA outpatient clinics in Mt. Vernon or Fayetteville, Ark. Instead, doctors and nurses visit them in their homes for any routine care they need. In addition, the caregivers stay in contact with VA providers to be sure that treatment plans are followed and needs are met.
Michael and LoAnn hope that by getting the word out, a local veteran will find their home as a place of respite. While a couple of veterans have inquired, they were too far away from Barry County to feel it was the right move. In the Horst’s home that overlooks Table Rock Lake, the veteran will have their own room with individual attention from Michael and LoAnn and their son, Joshua. The nine-acre hobby farm also has the added perks of fresh fruit and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs and milk.
Veterans in the VA Medical Foster Homes do pay for their stay, but there are financial benefits available to help pay for their care. For example, veterans who served during times of war qualify for additional assistance.
While their’s is the first home in Barry County, the Horsts hope others look into fostering, as well. “We’re hoping to reach others that have a heart for caring for veterans,” Michael said.
He continued, “I think this is much better than a nursing home. They can stay in a home longer.”
For more information about the VA Medical Foster Home program, contact Michael and LoAnn at (417) 271-3494 or Ron Bauder, Medical Foster Home Coordinator for the VA, (800) 253-8387, ext. 61138, (417) 665-3816 or by email Ronald.bauder@va.gov.
Charlea Mills
Some foster homes aren’t as they seem. For a couple in Golden, their home was approved for fostering about a month ago, and they’re waiting for their family newest addition: a veteran.
Foster homes are usually synonymous with children in need of a place to stay, but for our nation’s oldest generation, there is also a need for a stable home. Michael and LoAnn Horst’s home is the first in Barry County to become certified as a Veterans Affairs Medical Foster Home.
Michael said, “The nice thing about it is that rather than being in an institution, they are still in a home. It’s more one on one care.” VA Medical Foster homes are a good alternative to veterans moving into an inpatient facility like a nursing home. The closest nursing home to Barry County is in Mt. Vernon. With a foster home, veterans can stay closer to their families and have the care they need.
Michael and LoAnn were approached about becoming a foster home after caring for LoAnn’s father, a World War II veteran, in their home for nine years. Eventually, he had to be moved to an inpatient facility due to progressing Alzheimer’s but they want to be able to keep sharing their knowledge and caring nature with others.
Some of the benefits that come with staying in a foster home are similar to a nursing home: assistance with daily living, activities, nutritional meals and medication management. However, one huge benefit involves medical care. Any type of routine medical care by a doctor or nurse is done in the home. Veterans do not have to be taken to the VA outpatient clinics in Mt. Vernon or Fayetteville, Ark. Instead, doctors and nurses visit them in their homes for any routine care they need. In addition, the caregivers stay in contact with VA providers to be sure that treatment plans are followed and needs are met.
Michael and LoAnn hope that by getting the word out, a local veteran will find their home as a place of respite. While a couple of veterans have inquired, they were too far away from Barry County to feel it was the right move. In the Horst’s home that overlooks Table Rock Lake, the veteran will have their own room with individual attention from Michael and LoAnn and their son, Joshua. The nine-acre hobby farm also has the added perks of fresh fruit and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs and milk.
Veterans in the VA Medical Foster Homes do pay for their stay, but there are financial benefits available to help pay for their care. For example, veterans who served during times of war qualify for additional assistance.
While their’s is the first home in Barry County, the Horsts hope others look into fostering, as well. “We’re hoping to reach others that have a heart for caring for veterans,” Michael said.
He continued, “I think this is much better than a nursing home. They can stay in a home longer.”
For more information about the VA Medical Foster Home program, contact Michael and LoAnn at (417) 271-3494 or Ron Bauder, Medical Foster Home Coordinator for the VA, (800) 253-8387, ext. 61138, (417) 665-3816 or by email Ronald.bauder@va.gov.
