The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ (DMVA) highest priority has been, and remains, the health and safety of the residents we serve and the dedicated staff who serve them. Please review the information below to learn how our six Veterans Homes continue to serve Pennsylvania veterans during COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pennsylvania’s six veterans homes house over 900 residents, with about 90% of them being men in their 80s. Studies show that men are statistically more susceptible than women for experiencing adverse effects from COVID-19 due to co-morbidity rates being higher in men. In Pennsylvania’s public and private long-term care facilities, women make up 70-80% of residents.
DMVA’S six Veterans Homes test employees, volunteers, applicable vendors and residents in accordance with current CMS and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines.
The challenges that DMVA veterans homes have faced are not different than what most other long-term care facilities are facing nationwide. Though we currently have adequate Personal Protective Equipment, such as N-95 masks, surgical masks, face shield, head protection and gloves, we are continually working to keep enough stock of these items to prevent shortages in the future.
We take the concerns of our residents, their families and staff very seriously. If you ever feel that you are not being treated appropriately, we want to hear from you. We have compiled this list of resources to help you have a voice, so please don't hesitate to speak up!
Status Report
Status Update: DMVA’s six Veterans' Homes comply with all current CDC, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and PA Department of Health (DOH) guidelines regarding COVID-19 infection prevention strategies and core mitigation principles. This includes, but not limited to, mandatory vaccination requirements, COVID-19 testing strategies, isolation and quarantine for COVID-19 positive or exposed individuals, indoor and outdoor visitation, mask and other proper personal protection equipment (PPE) adherence, hand hygiene, and staff, visitor and resident education regarding these core principles.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires Nursing Homes across the country to routinely report on their COVID-19 status. This data includes staff and resident information on COVID-19 vaccination status, updated positive cases, as well as cumulative numbers, updated and cumulative deaths where COVID-19 is listed as a contributing factor. The information for our 6 SVHs may be obtained at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
DMVA's The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released data on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths at long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania at the bottom of this page. The data provides the number of cases, number of employee cases, and the number of deaths that have occurred at each facility.
Other General Veterans Home Information
Admissions: Applications for residency are still being accepted at each home, but in order to safeguard against COVID-19, Applications for residency are being accepted at each home. For more information, including how to apply to a veterans home, please visit the Pennsylvania Veterans Homes website.
Contact Us:
- Toll free – 1-800-547-2838
- Email – RA-MVVA-HOMES@PA.gov
- Mail – Bureau of Veterans Homes, Bldg. 0-47, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002
Donations:
- Monetary Donations: We often receive questions from the community about how they can support our residents. As we safeguard the health of our residents due to COVID-19, we are placing extra emphasis on helping them to maintain a healthy lifestyle through fun and interactive activities. These activities are often funded through each home’s Resident Welfare Fund. Donate to a Veterans Home.
Employment
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is hiring nurses, offering competitive pay, benefits and opportunities to grow. As a Commonwealth employee, you will embark on a rewarding career and make a difference in the lives of veterans! Apply today!
Report A Concern
We take the concerns of our residents, their families and staff very seriously. If you ever feel that you are not being treated appropriately, we want to hear from you. We have compiled this list of resources to help you have a voice, so please don’t hesitate to speak up!
Visitation
SVH recognizes the resident's need to maintain contact with the community in which he or she has lived or is familiar. The SVH recognizes a resident has the right to receive visitors of his or her choosing, and in a manner that does not impose on the rights of another resident, such as a clinical or safety restriction. The visitation will be person-centered, consider the resident’s physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being, and support their quality of life. Exceptions will be in accordance with current CMS directives and CDC recommendations, or as directed by state government (whichever is more stringent). Visit the Pennsylvania Veterans Homes website for contact information for each Home. Visit the Pennsylvania Veterans Homes website for contact information for each Home.
Volunteers
All six Pennsylvania Veterans' Homes are currently seeking volunteers to support our veterans and residents’ various activities’ programs and events. Please contact the individual home about volunteering.
Other DMVA COVID-19 Updates
Contact your individual home about current COVID-19 updates.