1 in 4 Medicare hospice patients is a military veteran. Frederick Health Hospice is going the extra mile to meet the unique needs of veterans at the end of life. While Frederick focuses on care, comfort, and hope, they also focus on the needs of U.S. veterans in their community. Executive director Carlos Graveran, an Army veteran himself, created a Hospice Veteran Liaison position to provide more robust care for military veterans in the Maryland community. Navy Veteran Eric Jorgensen serves in the Hospice Liaison position. As veterans, both Carlos and Eric understand the importance of recognizing the experiences of the patients and the needs of their caregivers. According to the Frederick Health Hospice website, the agency provides:

• Providing information about state and VA benefits such as Aid and Attendance, pensions, cemeteries, monuments and military honors
• Assistance in obtaining discharge documents, records, medals and awards
• Recognition ceremony that includes presentation of a certificate of appreciation and veteran pin
• Visits from veteran volunteers

The Veteran Liaison is critical in educating the hospice interdisciplinary team about the specific issues a veteran might be dealing with, including guilt, anger, PTSD, regret, and survivor’s guilt. With 25% of all Medicare hospice patients being military veterans, knowing how to provide compassionate and respectful care should be top priority for all hospice agencies in the U.S. 

Connect with Frederick health Hospice at frederickhealthhospice.org.

Learn more about the We Honor Veterans program from NHPCO at wehonorveterans.org.

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