Veteran Directed Care Program

The Veteran Directed Care (VDC) Program is a collaborative partnership between the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) and the Veterans Health Administration. The program provides services to Veterans to help them remain in their home or the home of a loved one, with the support of paid caregivers and purchased services.

Once a Veteran is referred by their Primary Physician at their VA Health Care System, a case manager, called a Person-Centered Counselor (PCC) with MNRAAA, helps the Veteran develop a plan to meet their care needs. The Veteran decides what goods and services are needed for them to live independently.

The program is self-directed, which allows the Veteran to manage the care services with the help of the PCC and a financial management provider.  It is built on the premise that the individual receiving care has the right and ability to assess and determine how and by whom they receive care. This includes hiring a family member or someone who lives nearby to provide your care.