The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) announces that the Veterans Homes of California in Barstow, Lancaster and West Los Angeles were each given a zero-deficiency rating after their annual U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) surveys conducted earlier this year.

The annual surveys are held to review State Veterans Homes for compliance with USDVA standards. The surveys include standards for independent care, assisted living and skilled nursing units. Over 150 regulations are carefully reviewed, including patient care, staffing, life safety code, administration, physician services, use of outside resources, nursing, housekeeping, plant operations, human resources, accounting, admissions and dietary, just to name a few.

“I am so proud of all of the teams at the Barstow, Lancaster and West Los Angeles Veterans Homes,” said Robin Umberg, CalVet Undersecretary for Veterans Homes. “What made this possible is great leadership, great teamwork and most of all, great love for our mission of premier care in an environment that promotes dignity for all our veterans.”

Amenities at the Veterans Homes of California for all levels of care include: room and board; three meals a day plus snacks; medical care and medications; optical care, dental care and podiatry services; transportation services to all medical appointments and off-campus activities; a beauty/barber shop; limited banking services; opportunities for worship for all denominations; a modern fitness center and exercise classes; a library; cable television and wireless Internet; housekeeping and laundry services; and a variety of community outings. All Homes also offer caring and compassionate staff members.

The Barstow Veterans Home is currently accepting applications, with no waiting list, for residency in the Independent Living and Intermediate Nursing levels of care. For Barstow Veterans Home admissions information, call 800-746-0606, Ext. 1, or visit the Home at 100 E. Veterans Parkway, Barstow, California.

The Lancaster Veterans Home is currently accepting applications, with no waiting list, for residency in the Assisting Living level of care. For Lancaster Veterans Home admissions information, call 661-974-7035 Ext. 6, or visit the Home at 45221 30th Street West, Lancaster, California.

The West Los Angeles Veterans Home is currently accepting applications for residency in the Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Levels of Care, which also includes Memory Care. For West Los Angeles Veterans Home admissions information, call (424) 832-8203 or visit the home at 11500 Nimitz Avenue, Los Angeles, California.

Veterans considering assisted living are encouraged to apply to any of the beautiful Veterans Homes of California. Spouses are also eligible to apply with the veteran. Veterans Homes of California are also located in Chula Vista, Ventura and Yountville. Veterans Homes are currently under construction in Redding and Fresno. For additional information, log on to the CalVet website at www.calvet.ca.gov.

California is currently home to 1.9 million veterans. According to the USDVA, approximately 64% of those veterans are over the age of 50. The need for long-term care for disabled and aging veterans is increasing rapidly. The Veterans Homes of California, which provide veterans with rehabilitative, residential, and medical care and services in a home-like environment, offer veterans an alternative to private, long-term facilities.