Veterans Homes in Rhode Island: The RI Veterans Home in Bristol
Understand eligibility, services, memory care, resident charges, application documents and other long-term care options for Rhode Island veterans.
Rhode Island has one state-run veterans home: the Rhode Island Veterans Home at 480 Metacom Avenue in Bristol. For eligible veterans, it offers skilled nursing and memory care at a cost based on income, which can be substantially lower than private nursing home rates.
About the home
The facility was rebuilt in 2017 and sits on a 100-acre site that has housed Rhode Island veterans since 1890. It is organized around resident “neighborhoods” designed for person-centered, community-style living.
Services and amenities
According to the Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services, the home offers:
- Private bedrooms and bathrooms, with living options ranging from dormitory-style housing to skilled nursing care
- A dedicated Memory Care Neighborhood with 32 private rooms
- 24-hour nursing and certified nursing assistant care
- On-site physical and occupational therapy, an aquatic therapy pool, dental and podiatry care, laboratory and X-ray services, and a pharmacy
- Transportation to the Providence VA Medical Center for specialized appointments and on-site veterans benefit counselors
- A café, bank, barber and beauty shop, gym, library and internet access
Who is eligible?
The state’s published requirements include:
- Honorable discharge
- At least 90 days of active service during a qualifying wartime period
- Rhode Island residency for two consecutive years before applying, or entry into the service from Rhode Island
- A need for the care the home provides
Under state admission regulations, a veteran with fewer than 90 days of service who was honorably discharged and has a service-connected disability or disease may also qualify. The Medical Director reviews whether the home can meet an applicant’s care needs.
The rules list specific qualifying service dates. Call the home to confirm that the applicant’s dates and circumstances qualify.
What does it cost?
The Rhode Island Veterans Home does not charge a flat daily rate. The state says residents contribute according to their financial means, typically 80% of adjusted net income. Allowed deductions include federal and state taxes and $150 per month for personal needs. Each resident files a financial statement at admission, which the state uses to set the charge.
The state describes the home as not participating in Medicare or Medicaid. For comparison, the 2025 statewide median for a private semi-private nursing home room was about $12,106 per month. Read the Rhode Island nursing home cost guide.
Waiting list
Wait times depend in part on when an application becomes complete, so submit all documents promptly. State rules also allow immediate admission in some end-of-life situations, and the home provides a separate End of Life Admission form.
How to apply: checklist
- Gather the DD-214, medical records from the past two years, and any guardianship or power of attorney documents.
- Download the application and, if needed, the End of Life Admission form from the state veterans website.
- Submit the application by mail or in person at the Veterans Home. Include the DD-214.
- Respond to follow-up requests for any missing documents.
Contact: Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI 02809. Phone: (401) 253-8000.
Other options for Rhode Island veterans
If the Veterans Home is not a fit or has a wait, veterans can:
- Ask the Providence VA Medical Center about VA-contracted nursing home care. Eligibility depends on service-connected disability ratings and other factors.
- Ask about VA pension with Aid and Attendance, which may help pay for assisted living or nursing home care.
- Consider Rhode Island Medicaid for long-term care.
- Compare private facilities in the Rhode Island nursing home directory.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Rhode Island Veterans Home?
480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809.
Can spouses live at the Rhode Island Veterans Home?
The published eligibility criteria focus on veterans. Call (401) 253-8000 for current information about any spouse-related options.
Does the Rhode Island Veterans Home have memory care?
Yes. The state describes a 32-room Memory Care Neighborhood.
How much does the Rhode Island Veterans Home cost?
Residents typically contribute 80% of adjusted net income rather than paying a flat rate.
Sources
This article provides general information. Eligibility rules, services, availability and charges can change. Confirm details with the Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services.