The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is in need of more caregivers in Polk County willing to share their homes with veterans who would normally live in nursing homes, as part of its growing Medical Foster Home Program.

  • Medical Foster Home Program growing in Polk County
  • Veterans benefit more from one-on-one care
  • For more information, contact MFH coordinators at (813) 979-3521

Victoria James has been a caregiver for about two years. The divorced mother of five grown children said transforming her home into a medical foster home seemed like a great way to make use of her time and her empty home.

“I’ve worked in long term care for many, many years,” said James, who was raised by her grandmother and great-grandmother. The registered nurse said caring for 99-year-old World War II veteran Lenora Shockley has been a great fit.

“We’ll go out for lunch sometimes, go to the mall to walk around, or I take her to get her hair cut,” James said.

Medical Foster Home Program Coordinator Carla Barbour said the foster home has given Shockley more one-on-one care. When Barbour met Shockley a year and a half ago, she was in the hospital being set up for hospice services.

“They really didn’t know how much time she had left, and here we are a year and a half later," Barbour said. "I think quality of life has a lot to do with longevity."

James said Shockley suffers from dementia. When she’s not confused, James has no idea what may come out of her mouth.

“When they reach this age, they don’t have a filter anymore,” James said, laughing. “I told you sometimes I wear my hair out, because I have the natural, the afro. She told me you look like a clown.”

James said it’s definitely not a job for people without thick skin, or those who don’t like a lot of people in their home. She said her home is always open to Shockley’s family, who have had their Easter dinners there and even held birthday parties for Shockley at the foster home.

“She has two daughters. They come very regularly, at least about 5 times a week,” James said.

Barbour said there’s especially a need in the eastern portion of Polk County for more caregivers. She said the veterans pay the caregivers on average $2,000 a month, depending on their care needs and situation.

The caregiver must have a room available in their home, be willing to give around-the-clock care and have some formal or informal patient care experience. For more information, contact MFH coordinators at (813) 979-3521