Veteran Hospice Care

We Honor Veterans

Hospice of Helping Hands is a proud partner with the We Honor Veterans program, and holds a level four recognition. This recognition ensures that our hospice employees are specially trained to care for and accommodate veteran patients through a partnership with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

"In fact, we were the very first hospice in the state of Michigan to achieve level four status."

 

We understand that veterans often suffer from unique complications related to traumatic life experiences or isolation. The We Honor Veterans program focuses on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgement in their quest to care for the unique needs of veterans. Oftentimes, a veteran will require special care depending on where he or she served and what types of service they performed during duty. The hospice staff at Hospice of Helping Hands is specially trained to recognize these differences and respond accordingly.

At Hospice of Helping Hands, we also utilize the Veteran-to-Veteran program which pairs Veteran Volunteers with Veteran hospice patients. Once paired with hospice patients who also have military experience, Veteran Volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with each patient, thereby creating an environment where life review and healing may occur.

What is the importance of Veteran Volunteers?

• Volunteers are essential to the delivery of quality hospice care.
• Veterans are a part of a distinct culture with their own common language and experience.
• When Veterans interact, their common language and experience can form a strong relational bond.
• The camaraderie created between Veterans has proven to be supportive for all involved.

What activities can Veteran Volunteers do?

• Assist Veterans in reminiscing/telling life stories.
• Take part in pinning ceremonies or distribute certificates for Veterans Day and other recognition events.

Honoring those who served.

Hospice of Helping Hands has extended their commitment to veterans beyond the WHV program.  This past November was the third year we hosted over a dozen WHV Celebration Services designed to recognize and honor our local community’s veterans.  The celebrations included music, a pinning ceremony, and involvement with local VFW’s and American Legions.  “The ‘We Honor Veterans’ program has become a cornerstone of our hospice agency,” explains Donnelle Napier, Hospice of Helping Hands’ Executive Director.  “We organize these celebrations because we want the Veterans in our community to know how much we appreciate their service to our country."

This past November (2013) Hospice of Helping Hands held 16 We Honor Veterans' Celebration Services at local senior centers, hosted a free screening of the Film "Honor Flight" at West Branch Cinema, and held its first Veterans Resource Open House. Over the course of two and a half weeks, the Celebration Services pinned over 345 veterans across the Hospice of Helping Hands' service area.

To get involved with our We Honor Veterans' Celebration Services, call us at 800-992-6592.

 

Read the "We Honor Veterans" Partnership Press Release.

Read the Level 4 Partnership Press Release.

For more information, call us at 800-992-6592 or 989-345-4700.

 

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