Veteran-Directed Care puts the power of hiring in-home care in veterans’ hands
Veteran‑Directed Care Gives Maine Veteran More Control Over In‑Home Assistance
Scarborough, Maine – Catherine Clark, a 72‑year‑old former U.S. Air Force mechanic, now uses a wheelchair and lives with her family in Scarborough after a back injury sustained during her military service worsened over time. The 100‑percent‑disabled veteran has been navigating the state’s care‑delivery system for years, but a recent program change has given her a new level of independence.
Clark spent three decades in the Air Force as a “toolbox jockey,” working on KC‑135 and B‑52 aircraft. “I used to describe myself as a glorified gas station attendant,” she laughs, recalling how she and her crew would “triage the planes: check gas, oil, hydraulics, lights.” After leaving the military, Clark built a career in information technology, rising to director and vice‑president roles at Merrill Lynch before retiring.
The injury that keeps Clark in a wheelchair has made daily tasks difficult. “It’s an emotional thing when you have to hire people to look after you,” she says. “You have personal things you need help with, and it’s not easy for either person.” For years she relied on in‑home care agencies that sent caregivers into her home, a process that left her feeling out of control over the personal aspects of her care.
Maine’s Veteran‑Directed Care (VDC) program offers an alternative. Designed for eligible veterans with a 100‑percent disability rating, the program allows participants to manage a care‑budget and hire their own caregivers—family, friends, or neighbors—rather than relying on agencies. “This program is beautifully unique in that it really gives older veterans with more acute health care needs an opportunity to maintain their dignity and independence,” said Ashley Perrone, director of community impact at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA), the local administrator for the program.
SMAA has helped veterans navigate the application process, from confirming eligibility to arranging referrals and coordinating with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Clark said the agency “did everything they could as quickly as they could. They work really hard to make this successful.”
The VDC model also benefits the caregivers. Veterans often hire people who have already been assisting them without pay, which can strain those individuals’ finances and work schedules. Under the program, those caregivers can receive compensation for their services. Clark’s primary caregiver is her granddaughter, Jordan, who lives with Clark and her daughter, Jen. “I got lucky,” Clark says. “Family is a resource, and they’re actually interested in the job.” The arrangement gives Jordan a defined set of responsibilities and regular pay, while Jen can step in when Jordan needs time off.
Clark acknowledges that the program may not work for every veteran, especially those without family members able or willing to take on the role. “You have to always advocate for yourself, and that’s hard for people sometimes,” she says. “There are programs with the VA, the state…you may not know everything, but don’t give up.”
Veteran‑Directed Care is part of a broader push to give older adults greater say over their health‑care decisions. SMAA is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and local agencies to expand the program and raise awareness among veterans who might benefit from having more control over who enters their homes.
For veterans and caregivers interested in learning more, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging can be reached at 207‑396‑6511 or by email at [email protected]. A full list of resources and upcoming events—including the Maine Family Caregiver Summit on October 23—can be found on the SMAA website.
