Iowa City VA Health Care System

Medical Foster Home Program

The Iowa City VA Medical Foster Home (MFH) Program is a voluntary program that offers safe, affordable, long-term care in a family home. It is a partnership between Veterans, Community Caregivers, and the Iowa City VA Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) and Medical Foster Home (MFH) teams. Medical Foster Home is an alternative for Veterans who are not able to remain in their home independently due to medical, physical, or mental health conditions, and prefer to live in a family home in the community instead of an institutional setting.
 
In the Medical Foster Home Program Caregivers from the community agree to take up to 3 Veterans into their home and provide day to day care for them. This care is paid for by the Veteran using their own funds including, but not limited to: Social Security, VA Service Connection, Pension, or Aid and Attendance.  The Medical Foster Home and Home Based Primary Care teams make regular, comprehensive visits to provide education and support to both the Community Caregiver and the Veteran, and to ensure appropriate and adequate medical care is provided.

We are currently recruiting both Veterans and Caregivers for the MFH program. For more information, please click on the links provided or contact:

PROGRAM OVERVIEW | CAREGIVER INFO

Clara Czerwionka, LISW
Iowa City VA Medical Foster Home Coordinator
Email: Clara.Czerwionka@va.gov
Phone: 319-519-9324
Fax: 319-688-3579
 

Medical Foster Homes

• Furnished private or semi-private room
• 24-hour care plan--Caregiver lives in the home and provides hands on daily care
• Medication Management
• Personal care (dressing, grooming, bathing, etc.)
• Meals, laundry, cleaning
• Flexible daily routine with various recreational options
• Long-term option for care
• Signed care agreement between caregiver and the Veteran or legal representative
• Personalized care
• Maximum of 3 residents per home
• High levels of caregiver and veteran satisfaction
• 50 mile radius from Iowa City VA Health Care System / Veterans Hospital

Medical Foster Home Caregivers

• Medical Foster Home and Caregiver must pass initial, then annual inspections by the VA Inspection Team
• Must own or rent the home where care will be provided
• Live in the home and are experienced (formally or informally) with providing daily hands on patient care
• Are flexible and have positive problem solving skills
• Are physically able to provide the needed care
• Must have written backup plan and relief caregiver for times they are unable to provide care
• Ensures a friendly, homelike atmosphere
• Must work with the VA Home Care team
• Create a compassionate, family like environment
• Complete semi-annual training provided by the VA Medical Foster Home Program

Funding

• Private pay using Veteran’s funds including but not limited to: Social Security, VA Service Connection, Pension, or Aid and Attendance
• Rates are based on care needs and Veteran and Caregiver Agreement. Average rates range from  $1500 to $3000/month
• VA Regional Office funding