An 81-Year-Old Foster Son?

(CBS)  Just outside Tampa, Fla., CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman found the story of an odd couple - a wonderful inspiring odd couple.

The house actually belongs to a sweetheart of a man named Rick Heady. Rick is a foster parent, of sorts - his foster "kid" just happens to be 81, and gruff as all get-out.

"What did you do in the Marine Corps?" Hartman asked.

"Kill people," Charles Dowling said.

"But you survived to live another day," Hartman said.

"To kill again," Dowling said.

"Well you're a lovely, lovely man," Hartman said, laughing.

"Bulls-t," Dowling said.

He actually is pretty wonderful, once you get to know him. Dowling served in Korea and Vietnam, and later became a drill sergeant - putting in close to 30 years with the Marines. Until recently he was living in a nursing home - destined for hospice - but then this total stranger came forward and offered to take him in.

"I'm not going to let our veterans, our veterans, be forgotten," Heady said.

That's a belief shared by all these people who are part of a new Veteran's Affairs program called the Medical Foster Home program. It pairs vets who would otherwise be in a nursing home with civilians who are willing to take them into their homes instead.

Information about the VA Medical Foster Home Program
E-mail the Director of Home & Community Based Care
E-mail the National Medical Foster Home Coordinator
E-mail the Program Director for the Eastern U.S.
E-mail the Program Director for the Western U.S.


"It takes a special caregiver who is really able to open their homes and their hearts to the veterans and it's not easy," said Beau Williams with Veterans Affairs.

Williams said medical foster homes are now in 34 states and within a few years could be in all 50. It's partly because nursing homes average about $6,000 a month, while this only costs about half that. The money goes to caregivers like Heady, who quit his job as a sales manager to do this.

"Not only is it cost effective but more importantly the veterans feel like their part of a family, they receive love," Williams said. "They receive a lot of attention, a lot of care."

As for what the care giver gets out of it - let's just say Heady has found the experience so rewarding he recently took in a second veteran.

"He's helped me vastly in recovery," said Clayton Smith.

Smith was in the Air Force when he got hit by a truck and suffered a brain injury. They were going to put him in a nursing home, too, until Heady stepped up.

"Rick is A-OK," Smith said.

That's glowing praise from a drill sergeant - and more than enough reward for Rick.

"This is what I'll do until the day I retire," Heady said. "It's that good."

Good for him, and good for America.

[Rescuedhelpers]

Mission Statement
Rescued Helpers was founded to serve as a bridge. An educational, therapeutic, transitional facility where canine care and training is the bridge to greater independence, improved quality of life and health for those challenged with emotional, mental or physical limitations, especially our Post Traumatic Stress Disorder population. Our goal is to educate by bringing awareness into the community and to fulfill a much needed service for ALL individuals in our global community.

We currently provide services to veterans and would love to be a part of your foster care program. We have an abundance of qualified staff and supporters who can provide excellent care. I know there currently is no program adopted here in Arizona we would love to be the first. Please send me any additional information that will help us achieve our goal.

Thank You,
Reynada Feeter
Administrative Assistant
Rescued Helpers Inc.
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.rescuedhelpers.org

[waterbornagain]

That's my father Charles H. Dowling, USMC retired. He lived im my home, became ill and after a hospital stay he was in need of rehabilitation to gain his strenght back. I had cared for him for over two years, worked a full time job while raising a young child by myself. I learned about the Foster Care program, and took the necessarysteps to find my father a home that was compatible for him. After visiting and interviewing a few homes, my prayers were answered when I met Rick Heady. He opened not only his home, but his heart. It's a family setting, open door policy and come as you are. It was a perfect match, the burden had been lifted. My father was happy and healthier than he had been while in a faiclity. He was on his way to his resting place, but has regained his pride and now has more life left to enjoy his family. He missed out on many years serving his country, but is making up for it now.
The requirements for home health care are extremly demanding, it's not for everyone. You must be 100% devoted, pateint, understanding of ones neeeds and prepared to work 24/7, because that's what it takes. The providers are hero's just as our veterans. I'm a grateful recipients' daughter for this wonderful program. Thank you Veterans Affairs and a special thanks to Rick for caring for my father as he does.

[fuzzycoconutzzz]

[e-mail]

[helplessinNY]

I want to contact Rick Heady please reply ASAP.

[Bear33624]

Where is the mans family? Isn't this typicaly taken on by the family?

[Beth1953]

My husband and I have been doing family care for special needs people for 15 years. Yes we're not in it for the money but their individual needs.
It's about time the VA can do more. This does work; and the people I care
for do love it. Only thing is that I can tell you there is a lot of work,
patience and training to do this. I would tell anyone give it a try but
remember your life pleasures that you use to, do take a backseat. But,
the reward you get from helping someone is wonderful.

[j_flood]

Good man......if there were more like him....it can't be easy and takes a real commitment..........thank you both, one for his military service and the other for generosity

[CaregiversUSA]

This is an amazing story. Citizens opening their homes to Veterans and becoming caregivers to those who were otherwise strangers should be a lesson to all on compassion and selflessness. Maybe this story will convince others to do the same. Caregivers and Veterans ? our American heros. (http://www.activeday.com)

[Dgunner]

Each time a hero fall in the defense of this great nation. Thier families thier friends and comrades lose a brother a father a sister or uncle. This nations freedom is not measured by the weight of money , unfortunately it is weighed in human loss. Though I owe no man . Then again I owe millions a debt that I can't ever repay . The hot zones ,LZS in the dark and jungle war fare and the front line and last line of defense are our military heros . From the cooks in the rear to corpmen on the frontline .During the days of war the defenders of this nation are brought to the fore front of our thoughts . If they are not with you? Then they should be. To not remember them daily in our prayers ,our thoughts and respectable actions from every free man woman and child that stands and lives under the flag of this great nation. Not do so in my opinon is irrepentencable and should be considered a shame and a failure on the part of every free citizen.They have and myself have done our duty . Now it is time for the free americans and thier government to do thiers.When you look at the strange guy next to you in line at a store or bus stop . Don't prejudge them by thier looks for they may have killed hundreds to protect thousands and there is a reason why this person may not measure up to your standard ,it is because you put yourself beneath them . They will however step in front of you and protect you down to last round and until thier body caves.That is all from this old war horse. May God bless you Rick . Go with God and go armed.Vietnam veteran 1967 1968and part of 69. To thine own self be true.We love you man!

[6thfairway]

Rick Heady God bless you!! You are awesome. The role of caregiver is a difficult role but it can be rewarding. I wish there were more people like you.

[wtcmedicdidntforget]

I LOVE IT!!!!! wish i had a place big enough or a life stable enough to do it myself. WONDERFUL IDEA... THANK YOU!!