Area Agency on Aging outlines veterans-directed care program serving Richland County veterans

The Richland County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation May 13 from Area Agency on Aging staff about a veterans-directed care program administered through the Cleveland and Columbus offices of the Veterans Administration.

The program allows eligible veterans to hire their own home health aide or other caregiver — including family members or neighbors — and receives assessments and case management from the Area Agency on Aging. "What it involves is that the veteran can hire their own home health aide or service that they need," said Diane Ramey, assistant director. "We do the assessments to discern their eligibility, and then we also case manage those individuals."

Why it matters: agency staff said the program offers a lower-cost alternative to nursing home placement and helps address a shortage of home health aides. "On average, you know, it's a third of the cost, if not less, than what a nursing home would cost," Ramey said, adding that the program helps veterans remain at home and lets family members provide paid care.

Program details and scope: Trey Turner, chief of community living, said the Area Agency works directly with the Cleveland and Columbus VA offices, which make referrals to the service. Turner said the program is operating across nine counties in the region and that referrals come from the VA: "They've already designated, individuals that they know that would be most likely eligible for the program." Turner said the agency has enrolled about 20 veterans to date and "we hope by the end of the year that we would have at least 56." The agency said it conducts assessments of veterans' ability to manage activities of daily living to determine eligibility.

County reaction and background: County Administrator Andrew Keller and Commissioners thanked the agency staff for the program. Keller noted the agency's broader work with Older Americans Act and Medicaid-eligible individuals and commended staff for developing the partnership with the Veterans Administration. Members of the Board called the service "a great program" for veterans who prefer to age at home.

Staff emphasized outreach plans: agency staff said referrals come from the Cleveland and Columbus VA offices, and they are also promoting the program through social media to reach veterans who might qualify. They encouraged coordination with the county's veteran services office so local staff can refer residents into the Cleveland/Columbus referral pathway.

The presentation did not include a request for county funding or a formal vote; commissioners offered praise and asked staff to keep the Board informed of enrollment and outcomes.