How does a veteran participate?
The veteran must be enrolled in VA care and seeing a primary care provider within the VA Boston Healthcare System (Primary Clinic at one of the campuses -or- Community Based Outpatient Clinics). The veteran must have medical clearance by his/her primary care provider prior to admission.
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Are there any costs involved?
VA does not require a co-payment for the first 21 days of care. For veterans who are 0% service-connected or non-service connected there may be some costs involved after day 21 in any 12 month period. The co-payment amounts will vary from veteran to veteran and are based on current financial information submitted on VA form 10-10EC. There are no costs for veterans who are 10%- 100% service-connected.
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Where is Respite Care Located?
Veterans are admitted to the Community Living Center (formerly known as Nursing Home Care Unit), Building 4, at the Brockton campus. Get driving directions to the Brockton campus here.
Once you enter the Brockton campus, go through 2 stop signs. At the second stop sign, take a right and park in front of Building 4 (Community Living Center Building).
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How do I apply to Respite Care?
The Outpatient Social Worker in Primary Care can assist with securing a Respite Application, or you can access one here.
 You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to access PDF documents on this web site. The Adobe Acrobat reader can be downloaded here.
The caregiver must complete and return the Respite Application to the Respite Care Coordinator (see below). As noted above, veterans who are NSC or 0% service-connected need to also complete VA form 10-10EC.
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How is a Respite admission scheduled?
The Respite Care Coordinator pre-schedules respite stays based on bed availability. A contract for the respite dates is signed prior to admission for the length of stay. Respite is scheduled for 9 days, 16 days, 23 days or 30 days. Admissions are scheduled only on Mondays and Tuesdays with corresponding discharges on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Respite Care Coordinator can be contacted to request specific respite dates.
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Is there Transportation available?
The Respite Care Program does not have transportation available for admission/ discharges. However, it follows the same VA guidelines for travel eligibility. If a veteran is eligible for travel, a request can be made through VA travel office.
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Do I need to bring in Medications?
Bring in all medications from home in their bottles the day of admission for medication review with the admitting provider. During respite stay, all medications will be provided by the VA for the length of the respite stay for only those medications that are in the VA Pharmacy formulary.
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What personal items do I bring?
Veterans should bring in their own labeled clothes to cover the length of the stay, as well as any toiletry items and special adaptive equipment (walker, wheelchair, cane, etc). Other personal items can be brought in depending on size. We do not recommend valuable items/belongings be brought in.
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Who do I notify about a cancellation?
If a scheduled Respite Care admission cannot be kept, the Respite Care Coordinator needs to be notified at least one week prior to the scheduled date of admission. Any new dates can be requested with the Respite Care Coordinator.
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What happens if a veteran scheduled for respite stay is hospitalized?
The Respite Care Coordinator should be contacted if your loved one has been hospitalized in a VA, non-VA facility or placed in a Nursing Home.
Normally 30 days must elapse between discharges from hospital/other institutions to the scheduled admission date for Respite Care. If 30 days have not elapsed, the Respite Care admission may need to be cancelled depending on the circumstances and medical condition of the veteran.
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For more information:
Contact the Respite Care Coordinator:
GEC Office (181)
940 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
Direct Line #774-826-1181, or toll-free 1-800-865-3384 ext. 61181
Fax # 774-826-2643
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