A new program will soon provide area veterans with an alternative to nursing homes. The Veterans Administration is close to rolling out the Medical Foster Home, or MFH, program.

"The program is currently used in 34 states and will be implemented at VA Puget Sound Health Care System during the next few months," wrote VA spokeswoman Shane Suzuki in an e-mail.

During the late 1990s, the MFH pilot program began in Arkansas and was soon followed with two more programs in Florida and Puerto Rico. Simply put, the program paired caregivers with veterans who wanted a safe, long-term home-like environment as well as an economical housing alternative to a nursing home. Initial results were impressive. As a result, the program began to spread nationwide.

The VA Puget Sound MFH program will work with existing state licensed adult family homes in order to expand community care options for disabled veterans. Carefully screened caregivers provide room and board, 24-hour supervision, assistance with medication, and any personal care.

The local program will operate within an approximate 45- to 60-minute driving radius around each VA Medical Center.

"This program offers an alternative to nursing home placement," said Bill Caldwell, the Seattle VA's program coordinator, during a telephone interview.

The expectation is that the MFH program is a long-term commitment where the veteran may live for a few years, often for the remainder of his or her life. The veteran will pay the caregiver approximately $1,500 to $3,000 per month depending upon his or her care needs and the situation. All caregivers are trained to provide the required 24/7 care, and there will be no more than three residents receiving care in an MFH program approved home. Homes will be subject to inspections by the VA and the VA's Home Based Primary Care medical staff.  Some visits will be unannounced to ensure that veterans are receiving quality care.

Caldwell emphasized that the VA Puget Sound program will work with existing state licensed adult family homes to expand community care.

For an adult family home to be sanctioned by the VA Puget Sound, it must already be licensed by the state, fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible, and agree to limit occupancy to no more than three residents.

As the VA stands up the MFH program, it will begin with a few homes and add to that number if and when the need for more homes presents itself.

For more information about the program, visit www1.va.gov/GERIATRICS/Medical_Foster_ Home.asp.