Being in the home versus the clinic setting allows us to have a hands-on approach to see how the patient lives from day to day, what they have access to regarding food for meals, and what they have available to prepare meals. Find out ways the Home-Based Primary Care Inter-disciplinary Team can assess if the Veteran has adequate equipment to prepare the food in the home or adequate fluids in the home for hydration. The team members can assess the Veteran’s strengths, limitations, internal/external supports and service needs to optimize the Veteran’s functional status so they can remain in their home, as independently as possible, for as long as possible.

Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) at the VA is unique because each member of the team works closely together to provide Veterans with the very best care. Listen in to this episode to find out more of what Dietitians and Occupational Therapists do overall, and as part of the Home-Based Primary Care program. HBPC dietitians visit Veterans in their homes so they can assess nutritional status and identify any nutrition needs to improve their overall health. Occupational therapy is a client centered healthcare profession that focuses on promoting health and well-being through engagement in everyday activities, which could mean things like taking care of yourself, managing household tasks, going to work or school, or being able to participate in your favorite hobbies.

Are you a Veteran or do you know a Veteran that has a hard time getting out of their home for their medical appointments? Listen in to learn about a VA program called Home Based Primary Care (HBPC). This program is for Veterans that have complex and chronic disease(s) for which routine clinic-based care may not be effective. HBPC is commonly referred to as a primary care clinic on wheels because we come to your home for your primary care needs versus you coming into the clinic. HBPC uses an interdisciplinary approach to meet the Veteran’s needs. The team’s focus is the Veteran and how they can help, encourage, and educate the Veteran to meet their own health goals and needs.