Multnomah County’s Aging, Disability & Veterans Services Division is expanding a program that helps veterans at risk of nursing home placement stay in their homes.
The Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services program supports 13 service men and women in Multnomah and Washington counties with funds to pay for services and supplies that can keep them in their homes and provide relief to unpaid caregivers.
Next month Multnomah County will lead an expansion of the program to serve 55 veterans in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Douglas, Jackson and Josephine counties.
The expansion is being funded by a $665,000 grant by the Veterans Health Administration.
“A lot of times families are struggling to provide car and this is a way families can get some relief. They can hire another family or a neighbor who will help,” said Lee Girard, a senior manager at Aging, Disability and Veteran Services. “Most people would rather stay at home rather than go to a nursing home.”
The county has submitted a proposal to expand the program further to serve 85 veterans.
“But we’ll have to wait and see on that,” Girard said.
