Veterans sacrifice much for their country, and their challenges do not always end when they come home. In addition to the struggles these brave men and women face, their families also carry a heavy burden as caregivers. These unsung heroes provide crucial support and care for their Veteran loved ones but often neglect their well-being in the process. In this blog post, we discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs initiatives for supporting family caregivers of veterans and how Maxim Healthcare Services can provide care under this program.

VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance to Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offers enhanced clinical support for the family caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system. The program aims to promote the health and well-being of family caregivers who care for our nation’s veterans through education, support and services.

The PCAFC application allows veterans to designate one primary caregiver and up to two secondary caregivers. Caregivers must be at least 18 years old, the Veteran’s spouse, child or extended family member, or someone who lives with the Veteran full-time.

Primary caregivers may receive:

  • A monthly stipend
  • Access to healthcare insurance through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) if they are not already covered by health insurance
  • Mental health counseling
  • Beneficiary travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran
  • At least 30 days per year of respite care for the Veteran that can be used in the home, community-based environments and alternative settings

Veterans are eligible for PCAFC if they:

  • Have a single or combined service-connected disability rating of at least 70% or more
  • Require personal care services for a minimum of six months because of:
    • An inability to perform activities of daily living
    • A need for supervision or protection because of impairment or injury
    • A need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which the ability of the Veteran to function in daily life would be seriously impaired

Maxim serves our Veterans

Maxim Healthcare Services is a leading provider of home health services for Veterans, their spouses and dependents. We operate in over 35 states, and our highly trained and experienced clinicians partner with physicians and service providers to create comprehensive care plans. As an established provider under the PCAFC program contracted through the Community Care Network Contractors, we provide essential services to Veterans and their caregivers nationwide.

Our respite services allow primary caregivers to take time for themselves, recharge and refresh while avoiding caregiver burnout. When family caregivers leave their loved ones in Maxim’s care, they can be secure in the knowledge that they will be cared for by a compassionate, trained professional.

Maxim’s skilled home healthcare provides short-term care for patients returning home from a hospital or nursing home or long-term care to Veterans with ongoing needs. Depending on the patient’s needs, our skilled care services may include nursing, case management, wound care and therapy. We also provide homemaker and home health aide care for veterans who need assistance with personal care and activities of daily living. This type of service is ideal for homebound individuals whose caregivers are overworked.

Patient snapshot

In 2023, Maxim Healthcare Services provided quality care in home based settings to veterans nationwide.

  • 1,533 VA-funded patients received care
  • 804,920 total hours of care
  • 149 VA-funded patients had a primary diagnosis of ALS
  • 439 VA-funded patients received private duty nursing level of care

Our PCAFC-funded patients are located across the country and have various conditions. Here are two real-life patients our team has cared for:

Patient A

  • Lives on the East Coast
  • Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
  • Dependent on a g-tube and tracheostomy tube
  • Receives several hours of home health aide and nursing care from an RN or LPN per week through the PCAFC funded by the VA

Patient B

  • Lives in the Midwest
  • Diagnosed with ALS
  • Dependent on a ventilator, g-tube and tracheostomy tube
  • Receives several hours of 1 on 1 nursing care from an RN or LPN per week through PCAFC funded by the VA

In addition, Maxim has an award-winning compliance and ethics program and has been certified by the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare. Our clinical team members provide 24-hour services, including holidays and weekends.

Maxim Healthcare Services offers extensive home health, personal care and behavioral care services to the military community. To learn more about the services available near you, contact your local Maxim office. You’ve served us; now let us serve you.