The Veterans Home of California Ventura

As an expression of gratitude toward California’s deserving Veterans, the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) is constructing three new Veterans Homes of California, referred to collectively as the Veterans Homes of California—Greater Los Angeles and Ventura Counties or VHC-GLAVC. Individually, the new Veterans Homes are referred to as the Veterans Home of California—Ventura; the William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home of California—Lancaster; and the Veterans Home of California—West Los Angeles.

The Veterans Home of California—Ventura.

The CDVA’s mission is to promote and deliver the benefits provided by the grateful State of California to its deserving Veterans and their families—with a vision for California’s Veterans to live the highest quality of life with dignity and honor. It is the Department’s goal to provide the best long-term care and enhanced quality of life for all California Veterans Home residents. These Homes provide California’s Veterans with a living environment that protects their dignity and contributes to their feeling of self-reliance and self-worth. The Homes’ amenities are intended to provide residents excellent care in a homelike environment and foster a sense of community.

Ventura County is home to one of the largest concentrations of Veterans in the nation: 60,000 to 65,000, with an average age of 65, according to the Ventura County Veterans Services Office.

Construction for the Veterans Home of California—Ventura, began in July, 2007, is ongoing and is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2009. After a short period of licensing, and installation of equipment and furniture, the CDVA plans to hold a grand opening ceremony at the Home, also estimated to take place in the fall of 2009.

Levels of care include:

1. Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE) – 60 beds

Members who are age 62 and older may voluntarily admit themselves to this level of care with verification of their need for supervision with such activities as bathing, dining and/ or taking their own medications. These members are also offered assistance with transportation to medical appointments and community activities. Typically, these members are active and mobile, and are encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves within the context of RCFE care.

2. Adult Day Health Care Program (ADHC) – 50 members

The ADHC center provides a therapeutic environment designed to restore the Veteran’s capacity for self-care, and to delay or even prevent placement in a Skilled Nursing Facility. To participate in the ADHC program, the Veteran must have live-in support of family or friends and must have a plan to graduate from the program to resume an independent lifestyle at home.

The ADHC portion of the center will open in 2010. This is the first time the Department will offer an ADHC and the additional time will help to ensure that this valuable new service is initiated smoothly. This short delay will assist in the transition process to this wonderful new service for California’s deserving Veterans.

The estimated cost of the Veterans Home of California—Ventura is $26.5 million.

Applications for Admission
In order to be eligible for admission, an applicant must be age 62 or older (or younger if disabled), a resident of California and have served honorably in the military. The CDVA encourages all eligible veterans to apply for admission to a Veterans Home of California.

Employment
Employment opportunities for all GLAVC sites are listed at the CDVA website at www.cdva.ca.gov. For the Veterans Home of California—Ventura, the interested party can also contact Maria Gonzalez in Human Resources

Additional Veterans Homes of California
In addition to the three new Veterans Homes of California currently under construction, Veterans Homes of California are also in operation in the cities of Yountville, Chula Vista and Barstow. Future sites include Redding and Fresno.

For additional information on the Veterans Homes of California, as well as Veterans benefits, employment, educational resources, services, CalVet Home Loans, Veterans license plates, and more, please log onto the CDVA website at www.cdva.ca.gov.
RCFE LICENSE #565801637 PENDING

HONORING CALIFORNIA’S VETERANS

The above information is provided by participating organizations and is assumed reliable but is not guaranteed.