Literature Review

Valparaiso American Legion Post 94 riders raise $12,500 for VNA Hospice of NWI NWI.Life, by VNA Hospice NWI; 10/29/24The Valparaiso American Legion Riders Post 94 held its inaugural Forever Our Heroes ride on August 10, 2024 with nearly 50 riders who stopped at American Legions in Michigan City, Kingsford Heights and Kouts. The ride raised $12,500 for the VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana in recognition of its We Honor Veterans program. A group of Legion Riders presented the check to the VNA Hospice on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at its administrative offices in Valparaiso. “The VNA Hospice is extremely grateful for this generous gift that helps us support even more veterans, not just those under our care but any who need additional assistance,” said Bob Franko, VNA Hospice president and CEO. The VNA Hospice has achieved We Honor Veterans Level 5 status through its national association for its commitment to veterans. Editor's note: Click here for the We Honor Veterans program by NHPCO, now The Alliance.

Tailoring hospice care to the Veteran populationAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Curtis G Kommer, Autumn Nadolny; 10/24United States Military Veterans are an increasingly elderly population, and more and more veterans are choosing hospice care at the end of life. These veterans, particularly if they served in combat, can bring unique management challenges and opportunities to a hospice team. This review highlights the physical and psychosocial traumas experienced by many veterans, and discusses how these issues can affect their hospice care. Traumatic injury-related issues such as chronic pain, neuropathic pain, insomnia, and chronic headaches can worsen for veterans at the end of life, and the psychological sequelae of these traumatic events such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic Anxiety, Substance Abuse, and increased risk of suicide can also be magnified during this time.

Community partnership helps Veterans navigate their health care U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC; by Dr. Chien Chen; 9/27/24 VA’s National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP) helps create and manage partnerships between VA and community organizations. The goal is simple: bring together VA and those in the community who share the same goals and mission when it comes to providing Veterans with outstanding health care and support. They are called Veteran Community Partnerships, or VCPs. “Developing and nurturing strong partnerships with VA and community providers is crucial to supporting Veteran health care,” said Dr. Jamie Davis, HAP health system specialist. “VCPs are instrumental in ensuring these partnerships enhance the health and well-being of Veterans across the country.” The East Bay VCP at Martinez VA is part of Northern California VA. Martinez VAMC and Veteran Community Partnerships focus on getting Veterans access to all available health care services. 

Crafting holiday joy for Hernando Pasco Hospice patients Hernando Sun, New Port Richey, FL; by Megan Hussey; 8/26/24 It is the mission of Hernando Pasco Hospice and HPH Hospice Women of Giving to make this coming holiday season a brighter one for all patients served by HPH, and for HPH staff and team members, with the help of beautiful, jubilant holiday cards custom-made for them. It is their goal, in fact, to create at least 1,000 cards for these deserving individuals based in Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties through the Crafty Christmas Campaign. ... “This is our second year for Crafty Christmas,” said Andrea Arflack, Director of Philanthropy Chapters Health Foundation In support of HPH Hospice. “It was created by one of our staff members in the spirit of giving. We made more than 1,000 cards last year for HPH patients and workers and plan to do the same thing this year.”Editor's Note: Now's the time to adapt this easy, meaningful community engagement with your volunteers and community partners. 

Military veterans honored during special ceremony at Sarasota adult day center Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, FL; by Noelle Fox; 7/29/24 Twenty military veterans were honored recently at a special pinning event and remembrance ceremony at Town Square Sarasota jointly hosted by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and Empath Tidewell Hospice. The veterans honored were all members of Town Square Sarasota, an adult day center, and some of the members honored had fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The event was part of the Tidewell Honors Veterans Program. ... Since opening in early 2022, Town Square Sarasota has partnered with Empath Tidewell Hospital to host four special pinning ceremonies honoring its veteran members. Town Square Sarasota also has integrated aspects into its location and programming to recognize and welcome veterans.

‘I never thought I’d live to see it’: Veterans honored at WTRC’s Hospice of the Big Country thank you dinnerKTAB/KRBC Abilene, TX; by Noah McKinney; 7/19/24 Fellowship and reverence filled the West Texas Rehab’s Hospice of the Big Country boardroom Thursday evening. The organization opened its doors once more to local Veterans for its annual ‘We Honor Veterans’ thank-you dinner. ... Veterans of every branch spanning the decades showed up to sit with each other and break bread. The evening started with the Dyess Honor Guard presenting the flag and the singing of the national anthem. Following that, a POW/MIA or “Missing Man table” was set as a tribute to those who never returned. The attendees were then served dinner, and lively conversations filled the room. Notable Mention: Angie Lane, Director of Hospice Services, Hospice of the Big Country 

Fewer deaths after serious illness in veterans treated with PARC Care Model U.S. Medicine; by LaTina Emerson; 7/11/24 After a serious illness, veterans who received medical care via the Post-Acute Recovery Center (PARC) model experienced fewer deaths and more days outside of the hospital compared to those not treated with PARC, according to a recent study. ...  Using telehealth, PARC is administered by nurse practitioners to address the complex needs of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors as they transition from hospital to home and improve access to post-ICU care for high-risk veterans, ... Each year, “more than 100,000 veterans transition from ICUs to their home after treatment for life-threatening illnesses, but this transition presents many challenges, including unresolved acute medical issues and the lingering effects of acute organ dysfunction,” according to the study authors. ... 

Mt. Hood Hospice honors women veterans with event NewsBreak; by Brit Allen; 6/15/24 On Wednesday, June 12, Jolie Phanton, community outreach director for the organization took Mt. Hood’s veterans services a step further with a National Women Veterans Recognition Day celebration at Clackamas County Bank. The event featured a presentation on the history of women’s involvement in American-involved conflicts, as far back as the Revolutionary War up to current day. She spoke about how women have for a long time served as nurses, supply distributers, informants, and before they were allowed to fight alongside men, some disguised themselves as men and risked their lives on the battlefield. Women have also played many other roles in the military over the past 200 years. [Click on the title's link to read more.]Editor's Note: While we have highlighted various hospice veterans' stories, this brings fresh insights, information, and ideas. Thank you, Mt. Hood Hospice!

Normandy Welcomes World War II Heroes - 80th AnniversaryU.S. Department of Defense; 6/4/24World War II veterans met with cheers and applause from throngs of well-wishers as they arrived in Normandy, France, for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. ... The number of these heroes at D-Day anniversary events in Normandy each year is diminishing, but the gratitude and awe for their service and sacrifice endures.We Honor Veterans - NHPCONHPCO; retrieved from the internet on 6/5/24We Honor Veterans empowers end-of-life care partners to meet the unique needs of America’s Veterans and their families. Our guidance and resources are focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment so that veterans can be guided through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.Editor's Note: Thank you NHPCO for your foresight in developing this program! You identified the massive losses of our WWII generation of veterans (and more). You educated hospice organizations nation-wide and equipped us with meaningful resources, while we still had years of time to provide active support.

In good hands: VA medical center introduces new inpatient hospice room and dialysis suites Salisbury Post; by Brad Dountz; 5/21/24The W.B. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center ... held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new inpatient hospice room, dialysis suites and six patient care rooms earlier this month. The amenities will allow veterans to get the treatment they need. Construction began during the days of COVID, but thanks to the work of the VA employees who built it, veterans can finally reap the benefits.  “We come together to honor those who have selflessly served our country and now require specialized care. Some of them are in their final moments,” said Dr. Kamran Lateef, chief of hospital medicine. “In this sanctuary of compassion and solace, every detail has been meticulously crafted to offer the highest quality of care tailored to the unique needs of our beloved veterans.”

Psychological trauma can worsen symptom burden at end-of-life Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 5/15/24 Recent research has found that traumatic experiences can lead to increased pain and symptom burden at the end of life, along with a greater likelihood of emotional suffering and isolation. Collective trauma experiences have been associated with higher instances of pain and dyspnea among more than half of seniors nationwide, a recent study found, published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Traumatized seniors are also more likely to experience loneliness, dissatisfaction with their life and depression. ... Hospices need a greater understanding of both the depth of these patients’ suffering and the scope of their unique needs to improve trauma-informed care delivery, [Dr. Ashwin] Kotwal said, assistant professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco’s (UCSF) Division of Geriatrics.

VA extends health coverage to family caregivers of patients who served McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 5/6/24As recognition grows nationally of the needs of unpaid caregivers, family members and caregivers of veterans soon will have more options to receive care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).  Starting at the end of May, these caregivers will be granted new coverage for audio telehealth services, mental health care and [more]. ... Telehealth coverage is particularly important for caregiver beneficiaries living in rural areas, the VA noted.

Village Hospice hosts Vietnam Veteran’s Breakfast CBS KCTV 5, Kansas City, MO; 4/10/24 Village Hospice provides many services to support their residents, including ways to honor their residents that are veterans. Jillian hears about a recent Vietnam Veterans’ Breakfast and how it celebrated Veterans living at John Knox Village.