Snowline Hospice recognizes veteran’s contributions

It surprises many Americans to learn that 25 percent of all deaths in the U.S. are veterans. That’s 1,800 people a day; more than 680,000 veterans every year. These heroic Americans deserve recognition for their military service — particularly at the end of life’s journey.

Snowline Hospice is grateful for the important contributions made by these men and women. A resource is available to healthcare professionals to help them honor veterans.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched We Honor Veterans, a pioneering campaign to help improve the care veterans receive from hospice and palliative care providers.

Snowline Hospice is a committed We Honor Veterans Partner.

As a We Honor Veterans Partner, hospices implement ongoing veteran-centered education for their staff and volunteers to help improve the care they provide to the veterans they proudly serve.

The nation is seeing many of the veterans who served in World War II and Korean Conflictpass away — and the number of deaths of Vietnam veterans is beginning to rise.

The We Honor Veterans campaign provides tiered recognition to organizations that demonstrate a systematic commitment to improving care for veterans.

“Partners” can assess their ability to serve veterans and, using resources provided as part of the campaign, integrate best practices for providing end-of-life care to veterans into their organization.

By recognizing the unique needs of our nation’s veterans who are facing a life-limiting illness, hospices are better able to accompany and guide veterans and their families toward a more peaceful ending. And in cases where there might be some specific needs related to the veteran’s military service, combat experience or other traumatic events, We Honor Veterans hospice partners will find tools to help support those they are caring for.

“All hospices are serving veterans but often aren’t aware of that person’s service in the armed forces,” said J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO president and CEO. “Through We Honor Veterans we are taking a giant step forward in helping hospice and palliative care providers understand and serve veterans at the end of life and work more effectively with VA medical facilities in their communities.”

“The VA shares a common goal with our nation’s hospices and that is to provide the best possible care specifically tailored for veterans, meeting their goals of care in their preferred setting. As we focus on working together and unite our services and skills, We Honor Veterans will channel our combined strengths directly to veterans — wherever they are receiving care,” said Thomas Edes, VA director of Home and Community Based Care,

“America’s Veterans have done everything asked of them in their mission to serve our country and we believe it is never too late to give them a hero’s welcome home. Now it is time that we step up, acquire the necessary skills and fulfill our mission to serve these men and women with the dignity they deserve,” added Schumacher.

The resources of We Honor Veterans focus on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment, coupled with Veteran-centric education of health care staff caring for veterans.

Snowline Hospice, the NHPCO and the VA are proud to share this available resource.

To learn more about We Honor Veterans or to support this important work via a secure, online donation, visit wehonorveterans.org.