In November, our country celebrates Veterans Day, showing appreciation and thanks for the sacrifices our military Veterans have made for America.. As the nation honors these American heroes for their military service, it is important to remember they also deserve recognition and compassionate care when dealing with serious illness and end-of-life issues.
A generation of World War II and Korean Veterans are facing end-of-life care decisions, and Vietnam War Veterans are not far behind. In years to come, those who have served in the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) will need care as well. What our nation’s Veterans experienced in their respective wars is unique, and the care they receive at end-of-life should reflect that.
As a We Honor Veterans partner, SSM Health at Home can provide hospice patients with a history of military service the special care and consideration they deserve. As part of the program, SSM Health at Home has assessed our ability to serve Veteran patients, and using provided resources, integrated best practices for providing quality care to our Veteran patients.
As part of our participation in the program, SSM Health at Home educates staff and volunteers about the differences between each war and the unique experiences and complications for the Veterans who served in them. Our goal is to guide Veterans and their families toward a better health outcome or a more peaceful end-of-life journey. For Veterans who experienced combat service or other trauma, this knowledge and sensitivity can be particularly important as experience from the past may resurface during a serious illness.
A special part of the program is our Veteran-to-Veteran volunteers. Military Veterans are part of a distinct culture with their own common language and experience. Many Veterans receiving SSM Health at Home’s hospice services wish to be connected with a volunteer who is also a Veteran, and we make every effort to make that possible. If you are a military Veteran interested in volunteering with our hospice program, you can provide so much support with just a few hours of your time. Please complete a volunteer application. Not a Veteran but are still interested in volunteering? Learn more about hospice volunteering.
SSM Health at Home can provide information to anyone interested in learning more about our services. We can discuss how our team of hospice professionals can be there for you and your family. We can also review other services to help support those who do not qualify for or are not ready for hospice. Learn more about how SSM Health at Home can be there for you.
