VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System

Geriatrics and Extended Care

About the Program

The Geriatrics and Extended Care program is composed of four areas —

• Community Living Center
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Audiology and Speech Pathology
• Home and Community Care

Services Offered —

Nursing Home Care Units

There are three (3) Community Living Centers at Eastern Kansas Health Care System, two (2) in Topeka and one (1) in Leavenworth. Patients are admitted for stays of up to 90 days, for purposes of restorative care, palliative care, caregiver respite (13 day limit), and stabilization of geropsychiatric problems.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)

PM&R services include —

• occupational therapy
• physical therapy
• specialized services to veterans in need of rehabilitation following amputation, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury

Audiology and Speech Pathology

Audiology services include testing of hearing, and provision of assistive devices for patients with hearing impairment. The Speech Pathology program provides evaluation and treatment of swallowing and speech disorders, and screening for subtle signs of traumatic brain injury.

Home and Community Care (HCC)

The Home Based Primary Care program (HBPC) is a multidisciplinary team that visits patients in their homes, providing a comprehensive array of services. Areas served are the communities of Topeka, Lawrence, and Leavenworth (Kansas), and St. Joseph (Missouri).

The Community Care program works with local nursing agencies to assist patients in their homes.

The Telehealth program provides in-home monitoring and interaction with patients, assisting us with chronic disease management.