MEDICAL FOSTER HOMES FOR VETERANS
QUESTION: WHAT IS A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO NURSING HOME CARE?
Medical Foster Homes are private homes in which a trained caregiver provides a safe and supportive long-term care for Veterans. This is an alternative to nursing home and assisted living care. It may be appropriate for Veterans who require nursing home care but prefer a non-institutional setting with fewer residents. The VA inspects and approves all Medical Foster Homes.
The Medical Foster Home program partners with people in the community who have caregiving experience and who have room in their homes to take in up to three Veterans and provide their daily care including 24-hour supervision, meals, laundry, med management, and personal care assistance. VA Home Based Primary Care provides medical oversight via visits from a skilled team of professionals.
The cost for care is determined based on the Veteran’s care needs. Care is paid via private pay, potential VA Regional Office funding, and/or county waiver funding if the Veteran is eligible for Medical Assistance. On Thursday December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law H.R. 2617. Part of this bill includes payment for VA Medical Foster Home for Veterans who are eligible for VA paid long term care.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE MEDICAL FOSTER
HOME (MFH) PROGRAM?:
- Personal care in a private home for eligible Veterans with complex chronic disabling disease or condition(s) who meet nursing home level of care.
- Veterans are cared for in a safe and therapeutic environment, improving their quality of life.
- Provides health care in a home setting, including end-of-life care.
- Is an alternative to living alone by providing quality long-term care and companionship.
- No more than three residents receive care in the home.
- Gives Veterans the option to remain in a family setting.
- Offers personalized care in the community.
- Meets the increasing demand for long-term care services through care in a non-institutional setting.
- Offers access to Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) or Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Home Care Services.
WHAT IS THE MEDICAL FOSTER HOME ENVIRONMENT LIKE?
- A furnished, private room
- 24-hour care and supervision
- Choice of Medical Foster Home placement and location
- Stable loving home
- Safeguards against abuse
- Signed agreement between MFH caregiver and patient, family
- Pets are possible
- Assistance with daily care, transportation to appointments, and medication
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
VA Coordinator Kristin Swenson can help you decide if a Medical Foster Home is a good alternative for you or someone you love.
Contact: Kristin Swenson- Coordinator
Address:
Fargo VA Health Care System
2101 N Elm St
Fargo, ND 58102
Phone:
701-232-3241 ext. 3940
PACT ACT CLAIMS CLINIC
PACT ACT CLAIMS CLINIC MARCH 1st
The Fargo Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) (2101 Elm Street N., Fargo) will host a PACT Act Claims Clinic on March 1st from 4pm to 6pm in the 3rd floor auditorium of the hospital.
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
During the Claims Clinic, participants will be able to meet with VA claims representatives one on one, to submit a claim and complete Toxic Exposure Screening.
The act expands care and benefits to Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide generations of veterans and their survivors with care and benefits they earned and deserve.
For more information, call the Fargo VA Public Affairs Office at (701) 239-3724.
VETERANS HONOR FLIGHT APRIL 30th 2023
The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN has announced that there will be a spring flight departing Hector International Airport in Fargo on April 30.
The flight will have approximately 90 veterans on board from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam conflicts.
The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN is a 501c3 non-profit, 100 percent volunteer organization that takes veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge to visit the memorials built in their honor.
The Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN does not solicit funds through calls or emails.
Veterans who served before May 7, 1975 and would like to apply to take part in the flight can download an application form online at veteranshonorflightofndmn.org.
VA PHONE- QUICK REFERENCE
| After Hours Telephone Care: 866-687-7382 | Medical Foster Home Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3940 |
| Anesthesia Pain Clinic: 701-239-3700 extension 3510 | Medical Library: 701-239-3755 |
| Appointments: 701-239-3700 ; toll-free: 800-410-9723 | Mental Health: 701-239-3700 extension 3150 |
| Audioinquiry System – Current listing of appointments: 855-560-1718 | Military Sexual Trauma: 701-239-3700 extension 4523 |
| Audiology: 701-239-3700 extension 3748 | Million Veteran Program: 866-441-6075 |
| Bemidji VA Clinic: 218-755-6360 | Minority Veterans Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3562 |
| Billing and Insurance: 866-347-2352 | Minot VA Clinic: 701-418-2600 |
| Bismarck VA Clinic: 701-221-9152 | Minot Vet Center: 701-852-0177 |
| Bismarck Vet Center: 701-224-9751 | MOVE! Weight Management Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3628 or 4428 |
| Community Resource and Referral Center: 701-461-7330 | My HealtheVet: 701-239-3700 extension 4420 |
| COVID-19 Vaccines: 800-410-9723 | Nurse Recruiter: 701-239-3700 extension 4325 |
| Canteen – Veterans Canteen Service (PatriotCafe, PatriotBrew, PatriotStore): 701-239-3700 extension 3710 | Nursing Integrative Healing Therapies: 701-239-3700 extension 3425 |
| Care in the Community, VA Community Care, MISSION Act: 866-517-9363 ; 701-239-3700 extension 3411 | Nutrition Education, Walk-In Dietitians: 701-239-3700 extension 3629 or 4437 |
| Caregiver Support Program: 701-239-3700 extension 4399 | Nutrition and Food Service: 701-239-3745 |
| Chaplain Service: 701-239-3700 extension 2795 | Oncology: 701-239-3700 extension 3522; infusion room: extension 3126 |
| Chief of Staff: 701-239-3700 extension 3202 | Office of Integrity and Compliance Officer: 701-239-3700 extension 3214 |
| Community Living Center: 701-239-3700 extension 3477 | Orthopedics: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 |
| Community Resource and Referral Center: 701-461-7330 | Patient Advocate: 701-239-3700 extension 3738 |
| Compensation and Pension: 701-239-3700 extension 3410 or 2982 or 3501 | Patient Location: 701-239-3700 extension 0 |
| DAISY Award: 701-239-3700 extension 3661 | Pharmacy: 855-846-8154 |
| Dementia Care: 701-239-3700 extension 4080 | Physician Recruiter: 701-239-3700 extension 2353 |
| Dental Clinic: 701-239-3700 extension 3371 | Podiatry: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 |
| Dental Eligibility: 701-239-3700 extension 2459 | Police Services: 701-239-3700 extension 3299 |
| Dermatology: 701-239-3700 extension 2403 | Post 9/11 Transition and Care Management / Military2VA (M2VA) / Returning Servicemembers: 701-239-3700 Ext. 4310 |
| Devils Lake VA Clinic: 701-662-5801 | Primary Care: 701-239-3700 |
| Dialysis: 701-239-3700 extension 4500 | Privacy Office: 701-239-3700 extension 3978 |
| Dickinson VA Clinic: 701-483-1850 | Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services: 701-239-3700 Ext. 3039 |
| Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence: 701-239-3700 extension 3810 | Public Affairs Office / Media: 701-239-3724 |
| Ear, Nose and Throat: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 | Pulmonary Department: 701-239-3700 extension 3524 |
| Eligibility: 701-239-3700 extension 3428 | Quality, Safety, & Value: 701-239-3700 extension 3686 |
| Emergency Department: 701-239-3700 ; 800-410-9723 | Rehabilitation and Extended Care: 701-239-3700 extension 2093 |
| Employee Education: 701-239-3700 extension 3662 | Release of Information: 701-239-3700 extension 3419 or 3718 |
| Equal Employment Opportunity Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3837 | Renal Transplant Coordination: 701-239-3700 extension 2555 or 3522 |
| Eye Clinic: 701-239-3700 extension 3748 | Research: 701-239-3700 extension 3348 or 3557 |
| Fargo Vet Center: 701-237-0942 | Research Compliance Officer: 701-239-3700 extension 3214 |
| Fergus Falls VA Clinic: 218-739-1400 | Safe Patient Handling Program: 701-239-3700 extension 2555 |
| Finance Office: 701-239-3700 extension 3301 | Social Work: 701-239-3700 extension 4311 |
| Former Prisoners of War Advocate: 701-335-4389 | Special Mode Transportation: 701-239-3700 extension 4506 |
| Gastroenterology/Endoscopy: 701-239-3700 extension 3510 | Specialty Care: 701-239-3700 extension 2420 |
| Grafton VA Clinic: 701-352-4059 | Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders: 701-239-3700 extension 9-3765 |
| Grand Forks VA Clinic: 701-335-4380 | Suicide Prevention Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3556 |
| General Surgery: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 | Telehealth: 701-239-3700 extension 3993 |
| Gynecology: 701-239-3700 extension 2599 | Telephone Care: 701-239-3700 ; 800-410-9723 |
| Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program: 701-239-3700 extension 4039 | Therapy Services – Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Recreation: 701-239-3700 extension 3047 |
| Home Based Primary Care: 701-461-7343 | Tobacco Cessation: 701-239-3700 extension 4406 |
| Homeless Veterans: 701-461-7330 | Travel Office: 701-239-3700 extension 3429 |
| Honors Escort Program: 701-239-3700 extension 2726 | Urology: 701-239-3700 extension 2403 |
| Hospice and Palliative Care: 701-239-3700 extension 2726 | Vascular Surgery: 701-239-3700 extension 3383 |
| Housing Assistance: 701-239-3700 extension 3472 | Veterans Drop-In Center – Gladys Ray Shelter: 701-364-0116 |
| Human Resources: 701-239-3700 extension 3641 | Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record: 701-239-3700 extension 2876 |
| Imaging – Radiology – Xray: 701-239-3700 extension 3204 or 3203 | Visual Impairment Services: 701-239-3700 extension 3047 |
| Inpatient medical-surgical unit: 701-239-3700 extension 3467 or 3414 | Voluntary Service / Center for Development & Civic Engagement: 701-239-3700 extension 3395 |
| Integrated Ethics Program: 701-239-3700 extension 3214 | Whole Health: 701-239-3700 extension 3990 |
| Intensive Care Unit: 701-239-3700 extension 3312 | Williston VA Clinic: 701-572-2470 |
| Jamestown VA Clinic: 701-952-4787 | Women Veterans Program – Women’s Health: 701-239-3700 extension 3893 or 3503 |
| Lost and Found: 701-239-3700 extension 0 | Wound Care: 701-239-3700 extension 3833 |
VALENTINES FOR VETERANS
1)QUESTION: WHO WILL BE YOUR VALENTINE?
ANSWER: Our Mayville Meadowlarks 4-H youth have creatively made special Valentines to show their love and support for our Veterans!
The Mayville Meadowlarks 4-H is comprised of youth ages 5-10 who are committed to expressing who they are and making their lives and communities better by practicing positive youth development (PYD).
Under the amazing tutelage of Courtney Peterson, Mira Allen, and Rose Crawford our local youth are empowered with skills to lead for a lifetime through engaging lessons incorporating the values of the 4-H pledge of Head, Heart, Hands and Health. The 4-H pledge: “We pledge our Heads to clearer thinking, Our Hearts to greater loyalty, Our Hands to larger service, and our Health to better living, for our club, our community, our country, and our world.”
For more information about our local Mayville Meadowlarks 4-H group please contact the Traill County Extension Office at: 701-636-5665
2)QUESTION: WHAT IS THE VALENTINES FOR VETERANS PROGRAM?
ANSWER: Soldiers’ Angels has created a collection campaign give back to our troops and veterans. Please do not solicit cash or in-kind donations instead send a Valentine to show your love and support for our Veterans!
3)QUESTION: HOW MANY VALENTINES CAN I SEND?
ANSWER: As many as you want! All you need to do is include $1 per Valentine you send! This will help us cover the cost of packing & mailing boxes of Valentine’s Day cards to deployed troops overseas. If you prefer to send a check, please make the check payable to: Soldiers’ Angels.
4)QUESTION: WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO SEND VALENTINES?
ANSWER: Cards are accepted through Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2023.
5)QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD I WRITE IN THE VALENTINE?
ANSWER: “Thank you for your service” is a great sentiment to share with service members and veterans no matter what time of year!
6)QUESTION: SHOULD I SEND A STORE-BOUGHT CARD OR MAKE ONE?
ANSWER: You can send store bought cards, but also handmade cards of any skill level. The handmade cards from school children of every age are often the most touching.
7)QUESTION: WHERE DO I SEND MY VALENTINES?
ANSWER: Mail your cards and $1 per card to:
Soldiers’ Angels Valentines for Veterans
2895 NE Loop 410, Suite 107
San Antonio, Texas 78218
Phone: 210-629-0020
Traill County Veterans Service Office 