Americans across the country will observe Veterans Day on November 11, a special day to salute the men and women who have bravely served our country. These fellow Americans have made sacrifices in defense of freedom. Honoring the nation's veterans includes supporting them throughout their entire lives.
For some veterans, however, nearing the end of life can bring anguish over past war experiences. Hospice of the Western Reserve, one the nation's largest nonprofit legacy providers of care, remains committed to those who have served in the Armed Forces during one of their most vulnerable times: the final phase of life.
Over the past two years, the agency has provided care to more than 3,200 veterans throughout Northeast Ohio, including those nearing the end of life. Its Peaceful & Proud program provides training for clinical care teams so they can address complex issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse.
Partnering Ohio's Veterans with Volunteers
And they are doing this with the help of volunteers, specifically volunteers who have served themselves. "Northeast Ohio is home to a very large veteran population, and many vets are nearing the end of life. Some of the most important work we do is helping them find peace," explained Bill Finn, chief executive officer.
Finn said to help address these needs, volunteers who have served in the military are paired with veteran patients, providing the camaraderie of shared experiences. Counseling, storytelling, art and music therapy, and legacy work are just a few of the ways the community-based hospice helps veterans achieve the peace they seek at the end of life.
Hospice of the Western Reserve is also actively involved with We Honor Veterans, an innovative program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization offered in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The hospice is among an elite group that has achieved a "partner level four" designation from the national program, given only to hospices demonstrating the highest level of commitment to veterans.
To thank those who have served, Hospice of the Western Reserve conducts both private and public veterans recognition ceremonies. These range from intimate ceremonies involving a single hospice patient to large public ceremonies where a hundred or more veterans are honored. This year, more than 2,000 veterans will be honored and personally thanked in public recognition ceremonies. Many more will be recognized by the hospice in private bedside ceremonies for patients and their families.