Community Living Centers (VA Nursing Homes)
What is a Community Living Center?
A Community Living Center (CLC) is a VA Nursing Home. Veterans may stay for a short time or, in rare instances, for the rest of their life. It is a place where Veterans can receive nursing home level of care, which includes help with activities of daily living and skilled nursing and medical care.
There are over 100 Community Living Centers across the country. See this listing of the current VA Community Living Center Locations.
*************************************************************************************************************************************During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Veterans in Community Living Centers
You may have concerns about a Veteran who receives care in a VA Community Living Center during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Keep in mind that as testing for COVID-19 evolves policies may change for observation, admission and visiting. Here are some answers to the questions asked most often: Veterans in Community Living Centers - Frequently Asked Questions.
*************************************************************************************************************************************Unlike many nursing homes in the past, a Community Living Center resembles "home" as much as possible.
There are activities for Veterans of all ages. There are family friendly places for visiting. Veterans are invited to decorate their rooms. And, pets are allowed to visit or live in the Community Living Center.
Veterans may stay for a short time or, in rare instances, for the rest of their life. It is a place where Veterans can receive nursing home level of care, which includes help with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and getting dressed) and skilled nursing and medical care.
The mission of a Community Living Center is to restore each Veteran to his or her highest level of well-being. It is also to prevent declines in health and to provide comfort at the end of life.
VA Community Living Centers
Learn more about Community Living Centers (CLCs), which are VA Nursing Homes in over 100 locations throughout the US. CLCs have a home-like environment, serve Veterans of all ages, and most times are for short stays after being discharged from the hospital. Watch the video to hear about what providers and Veterans have to say about this program.
Am I eligible for a Community Living Center?
Your eligibility is based on clinical need and setting availability. The VA will provide Community Living Center (VA Nursing Home) care IF you meet certain eligibility criteria involving your service connected status, level of disability, and income.
- You must first be enrolled in the VA health system, and be medically and psychiatrically stable.
- A copay may be charged for CLC care based on your VA service-connected disability status and financial information.
Contact your VA social worker/case manager to complete the Application for Extended Care Benefits (VA Form 10-10EC) to learn the amount of your copay.
Find out more by visiting the Paying for Long Term Care page at www.va.gov/Geriatrics.
What services?
Community Living Centers provide these services:
- 24-hour skilled nursing care (e.g., help with a wound or IV care)
- Restorative care
- Access to social work services
- Geriatric evaluation and management
Some Community Living Centers also provide these services:
- Mental health recovery care
- Special care for Veterans with dementia or other cognitive deficits
- Respite Care
- Palliative Care and Hospice Care for end of life
Most Community Living Centers are on or close to the campus of a VA medical center. Not all VA Community Living Centers provide all services, so contact your local VA medical center to find out.
See this listing of the current VA Community Living Center Locations.
Survey Scores for Hospice Care in Community Living Centers
- Survey scores may help you or your family when faced with the task of choosing a nursing home setting for hospice care.
- Family members rated the care their loved one received on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the best care.
- Scores for hospice care at a Community Living Center are posted 4 times a year.
How do I decide if a VA Community Living Center is right for me?
You can use a Veteran Decision Aid for Care at Home or in the Community to help you figure out what home care services or long term care services may best meet your needs now or in the future.
There's also a Caregiver Self-Assessment. It can help your caregiver identify their own needs and decide how much support they can offer to you. Having this information from your caregiver, along with the involvement of your care team and social worker, will help you reach short-term and long-term care decisions.
Ask your social worker for these resources or download copies from the Making Decisions page at www.va.gov/Geriatrics.
If nursing home care seems right for you, your VA social worker can help you locate one and assist with making arrangements.
