As Memorial Day approaches, many families take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans, and to consider what meaningful support looks like for those who are living with the lasting effects of military service.
For some, that support means honoring independence at home rather than transitioning into institutional care.
Through its Veterans Directed Care Services program, Delta Center for Independent Living (DCIL) is helping veterans across Missouri and Illinois remain safely in their homes while maintaining control over how they receive care.
This VA-authorized Veterans Directed Care Services program is one of the largest of its kind in the St. Louis and southwestern Illinois region, currently supporting 150 veterans across more than a dozen counties.
Veterans Directed Care Services Built on Choice, Dignity, and Independence
At its core, Veterans Directed Care Services is designed to give veterans control over their own care decisions and to retain as much independence as possible.
Instead of being placed into traditional facility-based care, participants receive a flexible, VA-funded budget that allows them to design a care plan that fits their lives. This can include hiring a family member, trusted friend, or support person, who is then paid through the program, to provide daily assistance.
It functions much like a consumer-directed care model, allowing veterans to decide how their care dollars are spent, based on what works best for their health, routines, and personal preferences. It’s efficient, allows for greater personalization and gives veterans a sense of autonomy.
“Our goal is to give veterans the assistance they need to make real choices in how they receive care,” said Amanda Kerley, Director of Veterans Directed Care Services at DCIL, who has been with DCIL for 15 years and has directed the VDC program for the past eight. “When veterans are in control, they are more likely to stay engaged, stable, and confident in their daily lives.”
Who Veterans Directed Care Services Can Help
The veterans enrolled in DCIL’s program reflect a wide range of ages and needs, from a 31-year-old participant to a 102-year-old veteran, located in southwestern Illinois, St. Louis City and several counties in eastern Missouri.
Many are living with complex, service-related conditions, including:
- Spinal cord injuries
- ALS
- Parkinson’s disease
- PTSD
- Dementia
- Other physical and mental health conditions connected to military service
These conditions often require ongoing assistance, but not necessarily institutional care. The program is designed specifically for that gap.
Veterans Living With Service-Related Physical Health Conditions
The Veterans Directed Care Services program is highly individualized and supported by ongoing case management.
DCIL currently as six case managers in the program, each responsible for approximately 30 veterans. In addition, DCIL can serve as an authorized 
representative when needed, helping ensure veterans receive appropriate care coordination and support.
Services may include:
- In-home personal care
- Assistance from family members or chosen caregivers
- Therapy services
- Adult day care
- Coordination of services outside the home when appropriate
“We see every day how powerful it is when veterans are supported in a way that fits their own homes and families,” Kerley said. “Even small supports can make the difference between someone struggling to get through the day and someone living with confidence at home. Our case managers are dedicated to making that happen.”
Reducing institutionalization through home-based care
One of the central goals of the program is to reduce or delay institutional placement.
For many veterans, remaining at home is closely tied to independence, identity, and emotional well-being. The VDC model is built around preserving that stability while still addressing complex medical and personal care needs.
By supporting veterans in familiar environments and allowing them to choose who provides their care, the program helps maintain dignity while reducing reliance on institutional settings.
Learn More About Veterans Directed Care Services Today
For veterans living with the long-term effects of military service, care is not just about services, it is about choice, dignity, and the ability to remain at home.
Veterans Directed Care Services reflects that principle, offering a path that supports independence while honoring the realities of aging, disability, and service-connected health challenges. If you know a veteran who needs support, contact us today. We’re here to help!