Expanding support for veterans, seniors, and caregivers in North Carolina

As the population of seniors and veterans in North Carolina continues to grow, the need for quality in-home care services is becoming increasingly urgent. With more than 2.7 million residents aged 60 and older, many of whom are veterans with unique needs, local and national programs have been stepping up to provide essential services for these populations.

Programs like the VA Caregiver Support Program and companies like Village Caregiving are at the forefront of providing much-needed help to seniors and their families, allowing them to remain at home and receive the care they deserve.

Rising demand for care in North Carolina

North Carolina’s senior population is experiencing rapid growth, with a particularly significant rise in residents aged 60 and older. As this demographic continues to expand, the state’s healthcare system faces increasing pressure to support these individuals, especially those who wish to remain in their homes rather than move to assisted living facilities.

This trend is part of a nationwide demographic shift that is placing more responsibility on family caregivers, who often juggle multiple commitments, including work and raising children, in addition to caring for aging parents or relatives.

For many veterans, the need for caregiving is even more pronounced. Veterans face a unique set of challenges due to physical or mental health conditions resulting from their service, which may require ongoing support. In response to these growing needs, programs such as the VA Caregiver Support Program play a crucial role in offering support, financial aid, and resources to those who care for veterans.

VA caregiver support for veterans

The VA Caregiver Support Program offers crucial services to veterans and their families, including financial stipends, respite care, training, and support groups.

This program is designed to assist family caregivers who take on the responsibility of providing non-medical care for veterans, including managing daily activities like personal care, meal preparation, and transportation. By offering financial and emotional support, the program helps alleviate some of the burdens placed on caregivers, ensuring that veterans receive the care they need.

In Buncombe County, John David Large, a 42-year-old caregiver for his father, a 75-year-old Vietnam War veteran with esophageal cancer, benefits from the VA Caregiver Support Program. He manages his father’s medication, cooking, and cleaning, enabling his mother to stay with him.

During the hurricane’s power outages and water shortages, a local VA worker introduced the family to the program, providing financial assistance and grants for home modifications, like a walk-in shower. Patricia Kitlasz, manager of the Asheville VA Caregiver Support Program, highlights the program’s continued growth, helping more families even during setbacks like natural disasters.

Expanding access to in-home care services

Village Caregiving, one of the largest privately-owned home care agencies in the USA, is also playing a significant role in improving the lives of veterans and seniors in North Carolina. Recently, the company expanded its operations by opening a new regional office in Hickory, marking its entry into the North Carolina market. This expansion is part of the program’s broader mission to provide high-quality, affordable in-home care services to seniors and veterans across the nation.

With over 3,300 caregivers and 5,500 clients, Village Caregiving offers a variety of non-medical services, including transportation, housekeeping, hygiene assistance, and companionship. These services are designed to help seniors and veterans live independently and comfortably in their own homes. The company’s commitment to compassionate, affordable care is making a difference in communities across the country, and its expansion into North Carolina aims to meet the growing demand for these services in the state.

Jeff Stevens, co-founder and CEO of Village Caregiving, explained that as seniors age in place for longer periods, the responsibility for caregiving increasingly falls on family members, who may already be juggling multiple commitments. This creates an urgent need for additional caregiving support, which Village Caregiving is addressing by offering flexible, affordable, and high-quality services.

For over a decade, Village Caregiving has served thousands of Americans, and now the same model of care is being brought to North Carolina. As the demand for assistance among seniors and veterans grows, Village Caregiving is excited to offer its services to help people in North Carolina live independently.

Supporting North Carolina’s caregivers

The expansion of Village Caregiving in North Carolina is also expected to provide a significant boost to the local economy. As the company grows, it will create more purpose-filled jobs in the region, offering competitive wages, professional growth opportunities, and flexible work schedules.

According to Jana Crumpler, the executive director of Village Caregiving, the new location will help the company extend its services across the state, with an initial focus on serving northern and western North Carolina. The opening of the office is particularly timely, as North Carolina’s senior population is expected to continue growing rapidly. The state is home to over 2.7 million residents 60 years old and above, many of whom require assistance with daily activities.

Their services are designed to support both seniors and their families by providing essential care that enables seniors to stay in their homes, avoiding the need for relocation to a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Crumpler stated that while the initial focus is on northern and western North Carolina, the goal is to expand this program’s services across the entire state, providing the same compassionate care that has earned the trust of families nationwide.

The future of caregiving in North Carolina

The continued growth of both programs highlights a broader trend in North Carolina and across the nation toward improving access to home care services for seniors and veterans. As the number of individuals requiring caregiving services rises, it is essential that the state and federal government, along with private agencies, work together to ensure that both caregivers and care recipients have the support they need.

In addition to providing essential services for veterans and seniors, these programs are also making a positive impact on the local economy by creating caregiving jobs and providing training for future caregivers. The expansion of Village Caregiving into North Carolina and the work of the VA Caregiver Support Program are shining examples of how community organizations and businesses can collaborate to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population.

The trend toward aging in place, where seniors live in their own homes with support, is expected to continue. VA Caregiver Support Program and agencies like Village Caregiving will play an essential role in this shift, providing the services and resources that enable veterans, seniors, and their caregivers to thrive in their communities.

Power of community and compassionate care

As the needs of North Carolina’s growing senior and veteran populations become more pronounced, the importance of accessible, compassionate caregiving services cannot be overstated.

North Carolina is making notable progress in addressing the needs of its most vulnerable residents through initiatives like the expansion of Village Caregiving and the VA Caregiver Support Program. These programs are helping seniors and veterans stay in their homes, where they are most comfortable, while also supporting the dedicated caregivers who provide essential services.

As the number of seniors and veterans in need of care continues to rise, ongoing innovation and collaboration will be essential to meet the growing demand. As more agencies, like Village Caregiving, expand their services and the VA Caregiver Support Program reaches more families, North Carolina is positioning itself to be a model for compassionate care that allows seniors and veterans to thrive in their communities.