In 1885, the Veterans Facility of Michigan was established by the State of Michigan to provide residential and later health care programs for veterans who were unable to care for themselves.  A veteran who had served in the Armed Forces at least 90 days during a wartime period (as defined by law) was eligible for admission. Currently all veterans who served 90 days from December 7, 1941 to the present are eligible for admission. Spouses and parents of eligible veterans also may be admitted. The first veterans facility is located in Grand Rapids.

In the mid 1970's it became one of the top legislative priorities of veterans organizations and citizens in Northern Michigan to establish another veterans facility to be located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  In 1977, the legislature passed Public Act 107 of 1977.  This act authorized a special study committee composed of representatives of the Legislature, Board of Managers, Veterans Organizations of the Upper Peninsula and the Department of Public Health, to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of a Michigan veterans facility in the Upper Peninsula.  Findings revealed that a veterans facility in the Upper Peninsula was appropriate, and that Marquette was the most appropriate site.

The State of Michigan was faced with the decision to build a new facility or to purchase a building formerly known as St. Mary's Hospital.  After consideration of all factors, the decision was made to purchase St. Mary's Hospital from Marquette General Hospital, Inc.  The building was purchased on May 15, 1979.

On July 1, 1981, House Concurrent Resolution No. 235 was adopted naming the facility the "Dominic J. Jacobetti Veterans Facility", as an honor to Dominic J. Jacobetti, the long-standing chairman of the House of Appropriations Committee and advocate for Michigan Veterans.

On May 27, 1986, the Home opened one of Michigan's first nursing units designed specifically for the care of Veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

In 1991, the Executive Reorganization Act 1991-7, transferred both the Grand Rapids and Marquette Veterans Homes from the Department of Public Health to the Department of Military Affairs.

The D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans opened a new 50-bed wing in 1992.

On October 25, 1995, the Home received its first Certificate of Licensure from the Michigan Department of Public Health.

In 1997, the Department of Military Affairs was renamed the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans provides two levels of care - domiciliary and nursing.  In addition, other services, such as spiritual, medical, social, recreational and educational are provided.  All services are supported from individual members, Federal subsidies and appropriations by the State of Michigan.

Mission

The primary mission of the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans is to restore health and maintain existing functions, enabling residents the opportunity to enjoy their remaining years to the fullest.  Keeping pace with the disabled population's changing needs, the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans is a modern nursing home that serves and encourages its veterans to function at their maximum level.  The Home's staff places great emphasis on tailoring it's care plans to a member's individual needs and to encourage their independence, rather than dependence.  To that end, the Veterans' Home has adopted a comprehensive needs assessment process.  Every person admitted to the Home is thoroughly evaluated by a physician, social services, nursing, activities, dietary and physical therapy in terms of abilities and disabilities.  This comprehensive assessment results in an "Interdisciplinary Care Plan" issued within the first seven days of admission.  An Interdisciplinary Team Meeting is held every 90 days to measure progress.  The focus is always on the member's abilities rather than disabilities.  A State nursing home operated under the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans provides 182 nursing care beds, two infirmary beds and 59 residential beds.

  Vision

It is the goal of the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans to provide the highest quality of care to its veterans.  To attain this goal, the Home must continually assess its programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of the veteran.

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