U.S. Military Veterans are an incredibly important part of our communities. These Americans – many of whom are our friends and relatives – have faithfully and sacrificially served our country, protecting the freedom and security we enjoy. They deserve our gratitude, respect, and compassion, as well as a peaceful ending to their life stories.
According to the Pew Research Center, there are more than 18 million veterans nationwide, representing about 6% of the U.S. population. These men and women may be dealing with challenges created by illness, isolation, or traumatic life experience. However, many of them are not aware of the resources available to them, especially at the end of life.
Honoring Our Veterans
Heart to Heart Hospice is committed to serving veterans and their loved ones – to helping them through difficult circumstances and to improving their end-of-life care. Based on that commitment, Heart to Heart participates in We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Alliance for Care at Home that empowers hospice and VA organizations to meet the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families.
Providing quality care to our veterans begins with understanding the issues they may face. Our hospice professionals are equipped to address their needs, which can be centered around several factors: the war in which they served, its specific psychological effects, or the type of population to which they belong.
A Variety of Health Risks
Every war is different and involves different types of experiences, and often complications, for those who serve. Unique health risks are associated with each:
- In the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, vets may have been exposed to infectious disease, high altitude illnesses, or environmental hazards.
- During the Gulf War, there was exposure to chemical or biological agents.
- In Korea, it could have been cold injuries, such as frostbite.
- During the Cold War, there was exposure to nuclear weapons.
- In Vietnam, it was the hazardous exposure to Agent Orange.
- And in World War II, vets dealt with infectious disease and wounds, cold injuries, mustard gas testing, and nuclear cleanup.
In addition to physical health problems, mental and emotional issues may result from war-related trauma, requiring individualized care. These include end-of-life care for veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), sexual trauma, substance use disorder, and trauma-informed care for Vietnam-era and combat veterans.
Caring for Veterans’ Unique Issues
Through our partnership with We Honor Veterans, Heart to Heart Hospice care team members nationwide are trained to provide support and understanding to veterans dealing with service-related, combat-related, or unresolved issues:
- Difficult mental and emotional challenges – PTSD, depression, hopelessness, agitation, flashbacks, and anger
- Unique physical challenges – chronic pain, presumptive diseases, handicaps, and traumatic brain injuries
- Social challenges – relationships with others, authority, and cultural norms within and outside of military life
- Spiritual end-of-life burdens – struggles with guilt, shame, forgiveness, regrets, unmourned loss, the meaning of life or events, and internal turmoil
Serving All Veteran Populations
Reaching all veterans across the country means supporting diverse and underserved groups. These include a wide variety of communities:
- Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives) who, according to the Department of Defense, have one of the highest representations in the armed forces.
- Former Prisoners of War (POWs), the vast majority of whom were captured and interned during World War II.
- Rural veterans, who do not live near health care services and often need help accessing care.
- Women veterans, numbering about 2 million, who are now the fastest growing veteran population.
- Homeless Veterans, who make up about a third of the adult homeless population in the U.S. Many others are considered near homeless or at risk. They face the same factors affecting all people experiencing homelessness – a shortage of affordable housing, low incomes, and poor access to health care. In addition, a large number of displaced veterans live with lingering effects of PTSD and substance abuse, compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.
Hospice-Veteran Partnerships (HVPs)
More than 1,800 veterans die every day in the U.S., with only a small percentage of those deaths occurring in VA facilities. Many veterans may not know about, or have access to, hospice and palliative care, and many hospices may not know which patients are veterans or how to address their specific end-of-life issues.
With these factors in mind, Heart to Heart Hospice now has an official Hospice-Veteran Partnership (HVP), through the We Honor Veterans program. The East Texas HVP, based in Longview, Texas, is the first one for the company and only the sixth in the state.
Hospice-Veteran Partnerships are coalitions of VA facilities, community hospices, end-of-life care or community organizations, and others working together to ensure that excellent care is available for veterans and that support is available for their families. They facilitate communication, collaboration, and coordination of care and benefits for veterans across VA and community care settings.
Under the leadership of Veteran Specialist Schana Rosales, Heart to Heart Hospice is spearheading the effort of building a network of these community resources in East Texas aimed at providing practical and timely support for veterans and their families.
“Everyone wants to help our veterans, who are among the most underserved of all groups. But it’s hard to know where to start,” Rosales said. “Because the Veterans Administration is such a large government agency, the task can seem overwhelming.”
By bringing these local organizations together, the HVP can identify veterans’ specific needs and source the most appropriate solutions, said Rosales, who noted that their challenges often involve homelessness. “Many are facing eviction or other housing issues,” Rosales added. “By combining our resources, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our veterans and their loved ones and give back to them in a significant and meaningful way.”
Specialized Hospice Support for Veterans
In addition to meeting physical and emotional needs, Heart to Heart Hospice provides specialized veteran-supported care including:
Access to VA Benefits: Veterans may be eligible for hospice care benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Hospice providers can help veterans and their families navigate the VA system and access the benefits they are entitled to, which can help cover the costs of hospice care.
Military History and Cultural Competency: Hospice staff is educated about a veteran’s military service history and their unique cultural background to provide respectful and sensitive care.
Recognition and Honor: Special recognition and ceremonies for veterans, such as pinning ceremonies, flag presentations, or recognition of military service, help veterans feel appreciated and respected. This also includes hosting community events to recognize and connect with veterans. It’s never too late to thank a veteran, even near the end of their life.
Family Support: Hospice care is not just about the patient but also about supporting their family. Veterans’ family members may need additional emotional and practical support, given the challenges that often come with military service.
Veterans Care Program from the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation
Heart to Heart also provides support from our non-profit arm, The Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation, in the form of our Veterans Care Program. This program, through the generosity of our donors, provides for veterans with life-limiting conditions and nearing the end-of-life. This includes:
- Emergency financial support
- Critical unmet needs
- Transportation
- Wounded veteran support
- Legal services
- Counseling and other therapies
- Legacy and honoring programs
The Veterans Care Program works closely with local veterans hospitals and other veteran organizations to reach out to as many veterans and their families as possible. You can learn more about the program by contacting the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation.
