PALMDALE – Hoffmann Hospice has received the fourth and final “We Honor Veterans” star for its commitment to Veterans, from the We Honor Veterans program of the National Hospice and Palliative Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
We Honor Veterans (WHV) is a national awareness and action campaign with a mission to ensure ‘Veterans receive the best possible care in the best possible manner and setting, while, honoring Veteran preferences.’
The Antelope Valley’s only non-profit hospice agency is the second California-based hospice to receive the fourth and highest level. In addition, out of approximately 5,000 hospices across the nation, Hoffmann is 35th to achieve this level.
Hoffmann earned this rating in partnership with Antelope Valley veteran organizations. To meet the qualifications, Hoffmann was required to:
- Provide Veteran-centric education for staff and volunteers;
- Create a system to identify patients with military experience;
- Build organizational capacity to provide quality care for veterans;
- Develop and strengthen relationships with VA medical centers and other veteran organizations; and
- Increase access and improve quality of care for veterans in our community.
These requirements were met by recruiting and training veteran-to-veteran volunteers, conducting “thank you” pinning ceremonies, providing community and staff education and awareness, and distributing WHV resource material.
“Reaching veterans is so important because veterans often have unique end-of-life challenges based upon traumatic physical and psychological experiences during their military service,” said Lori Carlton-Mowry, Veteran Liaison and Family Support Counselor at Hoffmann.
“At the end of life, veterans start to reconcile their lives. It doesn’t matter whether they served in combat or not, foreign or domestic, they gave up their freedom to serve our country. We must recognize what they gave for us,” Carlton-Mowry said.
Referring to the overwhelming reception of the pinning ceremonies, Community Liaison Lauren Potter said, “Shaking a veteran’s hand and thanking him for his service brings out his pride in serving his country.”
Potter, who coordinates Hoffmann’s Valley-wide outreach, has spoken about the We Honor Veterans program to Mental Health America and the Point Man Support groups.
Hoffmann provides healthcare providers with end-of-life resources for veterans and general resource material to local veterans, including the homeless. These resources being distributed at community events, such as the Point Man Stand-Downs, include WHV brochures and a wallet-size resource card that list contact information about area support groups and benefits.
For more information about We Honor Veterans or becoming a Hoffmann veteran-to-veteran volunteer, visit www.hoffmannhospice.org or call 661-272-2355.
(Information via press release from Hoffman Hospice.)
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(Information via press release from Hoffman Hospice.)
