Serving those who served us
Caring Joy delivers community nursing to Department of Veterans' Affairs clients across Northern Adelaide. If you hold a Veteran Gold Card or Veteran White Card and have a written referral, DVA funds your nursing care — there is nothing to pay out of pocket.
No cost to the veteran
Approved community nursing is billed directly to DVA. You will not receive an invoice, a co-payment request, or a gap fee for services covered by your card.
Veteran Gold Card
DVA Health Card — All Conditions
Covers community nursing for all clinically assessed needs, whether or not the condition is related to service.
- All clinically assessed nursing needs
- No condition restrictions
- No out-of-pocket cost to you
Veteran White Card
DVA Health Card — Specific Conditions
Covers community nursing for accepted service-related injuries or conditions only, as approved by DVA.
- Accepted service-related conditions
- Approved by DVA before care starts
- No out-of-pocket cost to you
Eligibility and the services DVA will fund are confirmed at your nursing assessment. Not sure which card you hold? Call us on 0402 260 706 and we will help you check.
Community nursing for veterans
Our registered nurses deliver clinical care in your own home, at times that suit you. Every service below is provided under a written nursing care plan and reviewed regularly with you and your doctor.
Wound care
Assessment, cleaning, dressing and infection monitoring
Stoma, catheter and continence care
Specialist stoma therapy and continence management
Medication management
Administration, webster packs and compliance support
Diabetes care
Insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring
Post-hospital and post-surgical care
Safe recovery at home after discharge
Palliative and end-of-life support
Comfort-focused nursing for veterans and families
Personal care
Showering, hygiene, dressing and grooming
Nutritional support
Including enteral and tube feeding management
Care plans, assessment and advocacy
Written plans reviewed with you, your GP and your care team
How a DVA referral works
DVA community nursing requires a written referral. If you are not sure where to start, call us — we will speak with your GP or hospital team and help arrange it.
Who can refer
A written referral must come from:
- Your general practitioner (GP)
- A hospital treating medical practitioner
- A hospital discharge planner
- A community nursing nurse practitioner
When you need one
A new referral is required when:
- You are starting community nursing for the first time
- You are returning to nursing care after a break of 28 days or more
- Your current 12-month care period is coming to an end
Referral received
Your GP, hospital or nurse practitioner sends us a written DVA community nursing referral.
Nursing assessment
A registered nurse visits you at home, confirms your DVA eligibility and assesses your clinical needs.
Care plan agreed
We write a nursing care plan with you, covering what care you receive, how often, and by whom.
Care begins
Your nursing team starts visits and reviews the plan with you and your doctor as your needs change.
DVA
Gold & White Card
Care that respects your service
Veterans have earned care that is professional, punctual and delivered without fuss. Our nurses come to you, work to a plan you helped write, and keep your GP and family informed.