Nov. 16, 2019
By ElizaBeth Clayton
Missouri Hospice and Palliative Care Association Veteran’s Committee Chair
As our nation honored American heroes for their military service on Veterans Day Monday, Nov. 11, many of the nation’s hospice agencies also celebrated the lives of their veteran patients. In addition, some hospices provide special recognition and Veteran-focused care throughout the year for those who are facing life-limiting illness.
These agencies participate in “We Honor Veterans,” a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. We Honor Veterans (WHV) equips hospices and other healthcare providers across America to meet the unique needs of seriously ill veterans and their families. Participating hospices are not compensated for their partnership and are willing to donate their time and resources into building a program for their staff that respectfully honors our area veterans.
“Our organization and the 4,500 We Honor Veterans partners have made a commitment to provide quality veteran-centric care to our nation’s heroes living with advanced illness,” says NHPCO President and CEO Edo Banach.
Veterans have unique and specific needs at the end of life, often associated with where they served, when they served and traumas they may have experienced. WHV partners consider it their obligation to learn how to best meet these needs through ongoing education and training. The educational programs provided through We Honor Veterans puts the participating hospices in the best possible position to properly care for veteran patients with compassion, professionalism, and honor.
Each hospice partner develops its own program around a set of national guidelines and agrees to provide: a Veteran-to-Veteran volunteer program, recognition and pinning ceremonies, and assistance in navigating veteran benefits. Others may choose to expand into other areas including welcoming home Vietnam veterans, supporting area veteran organizations, etc. The more a hospice volunteers to do for their staff education, support of veterans and veteran organizations in the community, the higher their rank becomes. The highest WHV rank is 5 stars.
Always remember: You have many choices when choosing a hospice. When interviewing the hospice agencies in your area, be sure to ask if they are involved with the We Honor Veterans program, what their ranking is, and what they do to honor veterans.
When celebrating our nation’s heroes on Veterans Day – and every day of the year – we must not forget that it is never too late to give them a hero’s welcome home.
Learn more about the We Honor Veterans program at www.WeHonorVeterans.org and about participating hospices near you.
