Published: November 6, 2023
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Every veteran has a story marked by sacrifice, resilience, and courage—and for that, we are profoundly grateful. Beyond gratitude, these heroes should receive the highest level of care and support as they face the sunset of their lives. That’s why Traditions Health is proud to partner with We Honor Veterans (WHV), a National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) program created in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to ensure that every person who has served our great country gets the end-of-life care they deserve.
Program Benefits
Veterans often face challenges related to their service, including emotional and physical trauma. Having a program like WHV that takes a holistic approach to hospice care is important, according to Lisa Pham, RN, regional vice president of quality and professional development at Traditions Health.
“The veteran population has given so much to serve our country. But they are woefully unaware of the programs and benefits they’re eligible for,” Lisa says. “We must do all we can to help them make those connections.”
The WHV program’s impact is far-reaching: It provides veterans with comfort, understanding, and a better quality of life at the end of their lives. It’s also a source of comfort for families, knowing their loved ones will receive the best care possible.
Each veteran’s life journey is unique. Their hospice care should be too. We tailor our care plans to meet the patient’s individual needs—and to honor their experiences.
WHV benefits include:
- Community education. We work hard to get the word out to our communities’ veterans, so they know how to gain access to services near them.
- Handmade comfort items. Partnering with Quilts of Valor® and other community groups allows us to show our appreciation with handmade items like quilts to provide comfort during a veteran’s last days.
- Pinning ceremonies. We recognize veterans for their service with a pinning ceremony that’s attended by their loved ones—and often, other service members in uniform. During the ceremony, we share details about their service, thank them for their service, and award them with a certificate, plaque, and pin.
- Veterans Day activities. Veterans Day provides another opportunity to celebrate our veterans. Activities vary by branch but often include collaborating with local nursing facilities, recognition ceremonies, etc.
- Veteran-to-veteran volunteer pairing. Trained veteran volunteers (if available) connect with our veterans in hospice through shared understanding and military experiences.
How you can help as a volunteer
Through our partnership with WHV, we ensure our team has the knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care for our veterans. However, for us to continue providing this level of care, we also rely on volunteers who come from varied military backgrounds and have worked closely with someone who served in the military or has served in the military themselves.
Volunteers often support through different activities, including the following:
- Assist with pinning ceremonies
- Educate the community hospice care for veterans
- Join our legacy program so veterans can tell their stories
- Provide support to veterans in hospice and their loved ones.
If you want to volunteer or learn more about the We Honor Veterans program, contact us for more information.