Hospice Care for Vets Receives High Recognition

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Veterans entering life’s final stage deserve hospice and palliative care that matches the service and sacrifices they made for the country. Main Line Health’s HomeCare & Hospice program has earned the highest level of recognition from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization for its efforts to ensure they receive it.

Main Line Health has earned “Level 5 Partner” status in the We Honor Veterans program, a national awareness and action campaign developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The program encourages partnerships among community hospices, state hospice organizations and VA facilities.

We Honor Veterans promotes veteran-centric care for patients and their families as well as community outreach and education. It focuses on respectful inquiry assessing and understanding their military experience, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment of their service. By recognizing the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families, Main Line Health staff help guide vets through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.

Main Line Health conducts a military assessment of every patient admitted to the System’s hospice program, and staff are educated about the needs of veterans at the end of life. This education includes information about post-traumatic stress syndrome, suicide prevention and VA benefits. Staff also learn about “moral injury” — the psychological, social and spiritual impact of events involving betrayal or transgression of one’s own deeply held moral beliefs and values occurring in combat and other high-stakes situations.

Main Line Health’s HomeCare & Hospice program conducts recognition ceremonies for veteran patients, including a pinning, certificate presentation, reading, thank-you acknowledgment card and handmade blanket made by volunteers.

The program extends to community service and community outreach. Some of these activities are:

  • An annual community service project to collect clothing, toiletries and food for the Veteran Multiservice Center. Staff and volunteers take the donated supplies to the center and provide lunch for the veterans.
  • Education for other health professionals and the community about the needs of veterans.
  • Participation in Wreaths Across America in Fort Indiantown Gap, where staff and volunteers assist with laying of wreaths in collaboration with the Lebanon VA and the Veteran Community Partnership (VCP) of South Central Pennsylvania.
  • Active membership in the South Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania VCPs.
  • Partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.
  • Organization of Welcome Home Events that honor all veterans, with a focus on Vietnam-era veterans.
  • Organization of Vet-to-Vet Cafes, which are small, informal events aimed at gathering veterans for conversation over breakfast at senior living communities.
  • Organization of book club discussions on veteran-related topics.