Fleming Island Veteran Larry Leisher spent decades working to convince the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that his disability was connected to his service in the Air Force. Even after ultimately winning that long-fought battle, he knew significant challenges still lay ahead.
Leisher is living with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), a progressive, degenerative muscle disease that causes gradual wasting in the wrists, fingers and quadriceps. Like thousands of other Veterans diagnosed with IBM, Leisher says his disability stems from his work in the military.
While navigating the lengthy process to secure VA disability benefits, Leisher and his wife discovered critical support through ElderSource’s Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program.
“My VA doctor felt I needed more care than I was getting,” the now 82-year-old Leisher said. “The VDC came through, and they were able to give me some needed assistance.”
The Veteran Directed Care program is a partnership between ElderSource and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is designed for veterans who require a nursing home level of care but wish to remain in their homes. The program allows participants to receive services from a caregiver of their choosing, including family members, friends or neighbors—giving veterans greater independence and control while aging in place.
There are no age restrictions or service-connected requirements to qualify, as long as the veteran is referred by their VA physician or case worker.
“ElderSource has been tremendous,” Leisher said. “If we have any questions or a problem we know we can go to ElderSource and get answers without having to go into the computer system with the VA. ElderSource has always been there for us.”
In addition to Veteran Directed Care services, Leisher and his wife—who also serves as his primary caregiver—were connected to ElderSource’s caregiver support programs, including resources aimed at preventing caregiver burnout.
For more information about caregiver resources and the Veteran Directed Care program, call the ElderSource HelpLine 904.391.6699 or visit MyElderSource.org.
ElderSource is a local nonprofit organization designated by the state as the Area Agency on Aging and the Aging and Disability Resource Center for Northeast Florida. The agency provides information and referral resources for older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers in its seven-county Northeast Florida service area which includes Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns and Volusia. Programs and services are funded by federal and state agencies, grants as well as private donations and endowments.
Veteran Directed Care is for Veterans who:
- Need personal care services and help with activities of daily living
- Have a caregiver that needs additional support
To be eligible for the program Veterans must:
- Be able to direct their own services or appoint someone on their behalf to direct their own services
- Be enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration
- Get a referral to the VDC program from their VA physician or case worker
- Meet functional eligibility criteria as determined by the VA
