For Veterans living with neurogenic bowel or bladder conditions, daily care can be complex, time‑consuming and physically demanding. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) created the Bowel and Bladder Program to help Veterans receive the support they need. This care can be delivered directly in the home by a professional agency such as Maxim Healthcare. This article explains how the VA’s Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders (SCI/D) Home Care Program works and how Veterans with spinal cord injuries can benefit from skilled, agency‑provided care.
What is the bowel and bladder program?
The VA’s Bowel and Bladder Program reimburses either individual caregivers—such as family members, friends or privately hired aides—or home care agencies for providing bowel and bladder care to Veterans who cannot manage these functions independently. This support is especially critical for Veterans with SCI/D, as consistent bowel and bladder management helps prevent infections, hospitalizations and loss of independence.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is determined by the VA based on clinical need and whether the Veteran qualifies for community care. The VA also decides how much care will be authorized. Veterans with SCI/D who believe they may qualify should speak with their local SCI/D team to learn more about the program and the enrollment process.
Veterans can choose an agency
One of the most important messages for Veterans and families is that you can choose to receive bowel and bladder care from a professional home care agency like Maxim. This option allows Veterans to maintain independence while receiving skilled support in the comfort of their home.
The SCI/D Home Care Program
The SCI/D Home Care Program is a part of the VA’s Bowel and Bladder Program that brings together a team of experienced health care professionals who work collaboratively to assess each Veteran’s needs and provide tailored support at their home. By partnering with your SCI/D care team, you can identify the specific areas where assistance would be most helpful.
Services available through the program include a wide range of in‑home support designed to meet medical, functional and daily living needs. These may include specialty care visits from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, as well as ongoing care management from nursing staff. The program also offers social work services, rehabilitation, home evaluations, caregiver training, mental health support and medication management. In addition, the team can assist with mobility equipment, technology needs, vocational support and referrals to other essential services.
A real solution for a real Veteran
- For many Veterans, receiving bowel and bladder care through a home health agency can significantly improve quality of life and independence. It can also support personal relationships by offering an alternative to family caregiving.
“I chose to use an agency for my bowel and bladder care as I got out of the hospital with a new spinal cord injury to simplify my life,” says Richard Carson, LVN and retired U.S. Army medic. “My mom had already raised me once, and it wasn’t her responsibility to take on that new task. She had a full‑time job, and I wanted to keep our relationship as mother and son—not caregiver and patient. Now I’m living with my girlfriend, and I continue to use an agency for the same reason. I want that relationship to stay as significant other, not caregiver, where the lines can easily blur.”
Get support through Maxim Healthcare
Maxim Healthcare provides a range of home health and personal care services to support Veterans and their families. Contact your local Maxim office to learn more about available services and how to access the care you need.
