Admissions to the Iowa Veterans Home are limited to honorably discharged veterans eligible for care and treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. The spouse of a veteran or widowed spouse of a veteran shall be eligible for admission, based on the eligibility of the living or deceased veteran spouse, in accordance with the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC). The individual shall have met the residency requirements of the state of Iowa on the date of admission to the Iowa Veterans Home. Spouses must be married to a veteran for at least one (1) year before the date of application. Certification of residency is required by the County Commission of Veteran Affairs.
Each applicant must have a current physical examination, including laboratory and x-ray findings, completed and verified on the application form by a local physician or a physician from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Each County has a Commission of Veteran Affairs, generally located in the county courthouse and listed in the telephone directory under County Government or Commissioner of Veteran Affairs. To find your nearest office click here. Contact your County Commission or Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center counselor to obtain an application form and IVH information. You must have the County Commission certify your eligibility for admission by verifying your residency and military service. An original or certified copy of your Veteran's discharge papers, an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate of spouse, divorce decree, durable power of attorney papers, or conservatorship and guardianship papers are needed to complete your application. Copies of all current court orders regarding financial obligations, such as child support or alimony must also be provided.
To locate your local office, click here
The admissions committee shall assign the level and category of care required by the applicant. When a bed is not immediately available in the level and category of care assigned, the applicant's name shall be placed on the appropriate waiting list for that level and category of care or special care unit in the order of the date the application was received.
The Resident/Patient or applicant, or the legal representative, must disclose to the Iowa Veterans Home all sources of income, such as pensions, social security, private or government annuities, rents, farm income, interest, etc. Assets, such as cash, bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, bonds, real estate and investment, must be listed. The value of the applicant's homestead (as defined in the IAC) must be shown; however, it may not be counted as an asset and may retain its exempt status providing conditions are met as referenced in the Iowa Administrative Code. Failure to make complete and accurate disclosure of income and assets is grounds for dismissal from the Home.
All applicants shall inform the Veterans Home of any health or nursing home insurance coverage and shall apply for Medicare if not already covered by that program. The Veterans Home will pay the Medicare premium upon billing by Social Security Administration. The applicant will be responsible for payment of any other premiums. Any insurance payments shall be applied toward the cost of medical care before the Iowa Veterans Home funds are expended.
Click on the following links to find out more about our rooms:
Dack/Malloy resident room
Loftus/Sheeler (dementia) room
Residents' living area consists of a bed, bedside stand, desk and chair, high-backed chair or rocker, and closet. Within the closet there is a set of drawers. In the Heinz Hall, Malloy Building, and Dack Care Facility buildings, one of the drawers has a lock. The key to this drawer may be obtained from the Nursing Unit Coordinator (NUC). There is a bathroom in each room.
Residents can have portable televisions which are hooked up to cable TV. Basic cable channels are provided for free; yet, residents should pay for additional Home Box channels. Arrangements for this go through the Adjutant's Office
Residents' requests for room repairs should be made through a Nursing Unit Coordinator (NUC). NUC will notify the proper department. Domestic Services (housekeeping) mops the floors daily; however, IVH requests that residents keep their rooms clean and neat. If needed, a secured storage area is provided for seasonal clothes or other personal items.
Each resident is assigned a staff physician or physician's assistant or Nurse Practitioner, registered nurse, social worker, recreation therapist, and a dietitian as the resident's core treatment planning team.
The following clinical services are available at no additional charge when provided by IVH staff: medical, nursing, dental, social work, substance abuse counseling, psychological, pharmaceutical, podiatry, optometry, audiology, recreational services, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, chaplain services, nutritional services, dermatology, respiratory care, pulmonary care consults, psychiatry consults, lab, x-ray, telemetry, and incentive therapy. IVH reserves the right to receive the revenue from any medical reimbursement resource for which the resident/patient is eligible.
The following items are provided at no additional charge: wheelchairs; walkers; prosthesis (including dentures); orthosis (e.g. braces); eyeglasses (one [1] pair per year or as prescription changes); hearing aids (with one [1] time replacement as determined by diagnostic testing); immunizations; health care supplies; oxygen; nutritional supplements; and medications as prescribed (prescription and non-prescription items available in IVH formulary).
Transportation to and from Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Knoxville, Iowa City, or Des Moines; University of Iowa Hospitals; and the local hospital will be provided for appointments and admissions as scheduled by IVH. The resident/patient or legal representative may consult and accept treatment from a private hospital, physician, or other health care provider of the resident's/patient's or legal representative's choice.
Arrangements/appointments made by the resident/patient or legal representative will be made the financial responsibility of the resident/patient or legal representative. The private practitioner cannot provide services at IVH.
The following non-clinical services are available at no additional charge by IVH staff: cashiers/banking services; financial advice/bill paying assistance; and assistance in applying for federal, state, and non-governmental entitlements.
Room and Board and services as deemed necessary to meet the health care needs of the resident/patient will be provided, including linens.
The Iowa Veterans Home has two levels of care. The Resident is evaluated to determine the level of care that best fits his/her needs. These types of care are:
RESIDENTIAL CARE (Domiciliary) is the area where the Resident cares for his/her own needs with the exception of meals which are provided in a central dining room. Medical and nursing supervision are available on regular and frequent, but not continuous, basis.
NURSING CARE (Nursing Home Care) are those areas in which the Resident requires ongoing nursing supervision and/or assistance in one or all areas of physical needs and activities of daily living. Care in this area ranges from total assistance in all care needs to supervision of one or two care needs, depending upon the Resident's capabilities. Medical care is available on a regular and frequent, but not continuous, basis.
Eligible veterans, their spouses, and/or widowed spouses are admitted without regard to their financial status. The rate of payment is based on the actual cost of care and the individual’s ability to pay using available resources.