The evaluation of the Veterans Independence Program (herein called the “Program”) was conducted in accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2015-20. The last evaluation of the Program was completed in July 2011.
The evaluation examined the relevance and performance of the Program and was conducted in accordance with Treasury Board policy requirements and guidance material.
1.1 Program Overview
The Program is VAC’s national home and community care-based program which assists eligible Veterans, and their primary caregiversFootnote 1 and survivorsFootnote 2, to remain in their homes and communities as long as possible. The Program provides financial assistance towards services which support and promote independence and health. When home care is no longer practical, the Program assists Veterans to remain in their communities through financial support for intermediate care in community facilities (i.e., nursing home care)Footnote 3.
The Program can provide a grantFootnote 4 or contributionFootnote 5 towards the cost of the following home care and support services:
- grounds maintenance services, such as lawn mowing or snow removal;
- housekeeping services, such as house cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, or errand services;
- personal care services, such as assistance with bathing, dressing, or eating;
- access to nutrition or food services, such as Meals on Wheels;
- home adaptations when they are required to facilitate independence;
- ambulatory health care for travel to health or social services outside the home;
- transportation services to help support independence and participation in social activities when the individual’s health condition makes travel difficult;
- health and support services, such as assessments, diagnostic services, and personal care provided by a health professional; and,
- intermediate care when a greater level of nursing or personal assistance is requiredFootnote 6.
Applications for the Program are submitted to VAC for an initial screening. Once determination of need is made, eligible recipients are assessed and the amount of financial assistance to be received is calculated.
VAC has obtained the services of a Health Claims Processor (herein referred to as the “Processor”) to provide payment services to benefit recipients and Program providers. The Processor is also responsible for annual follow-up with recipients to determine if there has been a change in health needs and action accordingly.Footnote 7
The evaluation team found that the Program is mature and is operating well. As of March 31, 2015, there were 96,722 Program recipients (see Table 1 for detailed recipient numbers over the evaluation period).Footnote 8 Program expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2015, totaled $363M, with $281M attributed to housekeeping and grounds maintenance, the two largest components (see Table 2 for detailed Program expenditures over the evaluation period)Footnote 9.
| VIP Recipients | Actuals as of March 31st | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
| Veterans | 70,115 | 67,235 | 64,616 | 61,829 | 58,624 |
| War Service | 50,228 | 45,063 | 40,494 | 35,380 | 30,430 |
| Canadian Armed Forces | 19,887 | 22,172 | 24,122 | 26,449 | 28,194 |
| Survivors | 37,573 | 38,349 | 38,379 | 39,766 | 38,098 |
| Total VIP Recipients | 107,688 | 105,584 | 102,995 | 101,595 | 96,722 |
| VIP Expenditures ($millions) | Actuals as of March 31st | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
| Ambulatory Care | $1.1 | $1.1 | $0.9 | $0.8 | $0.6 |
| Health and Support Services | $0.4 | $0.3 | $0.4 | $0.5 | $0.4 |
| Access to Nutrition | $9.5 | $9.3 | $8.7 | $7.8 | $7.2 |
| Personal Care | $24.4 | $25.5 | $25.1 | $24.9 | $23.0 |
| Housekeeping | $206.3 | $210.7 | $208.6 | $75.9 | $0.4 |
| Grounds Maintenance | $52.0 | $50.0 | $50.1 | $19.9 | $0.1 |
| Social Transportation | $2.1 | $1.8 | $1.6 | $1.3 | $1.0 |
| Home Adaptations | $0.5 | $0.7 | $0.7 | $0.6 | $0.8 |
| Adult Residential Care | $0.1 | $0.2 | $0.1 | $0.0 | $0.0 |
| Intermediate Care | $57.9 | $57.0 | $55.5 | $52.5 | $49.0 |
| Total Contributions | $354.4 | $356.8 | $351.7 | $184.1 | $82.6 |
| Housekeeping and Grounds Maintenance Grants | $0.0 | $0.0 | $28.4 | $245.6 | $280.5 |
| Total VIP | $354.4 | $356.8 | $380.1 | $429.6 | $363.1 |
1.2 Program Eligibility
Originally called the Aging Veterans Program, the Veterans Independence Program was established in April 1981. Since that time, the Program has evolved and expanded to support and reflect the changing needs of its target population. Initially, the Program focused on the provision of services to war pensioners for needs related to their pensioned condition. Over time, to respond to changing needs, the mandate of the Program expanded to include additional recipients, such as individuals who:
- qualify for a disability benefit;
- qualify for the War Veterans Allowance;
- are in receipt of Prisoner of War Compensation;
- are eligible for, but unable to access, a Contract BedFootnote 11 (also known as a Priority Access Bed);
- have been the primary caregiver for an eligible Veteran or civilian; or
- are a low-income or disabled survivor of an eligible Veteran or civilianFootnote 12.