Hospice of the Valley Honored for End-of-Life Care for Veterans

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization awards Hospice of the Valley with Level 1 status for veterans programs

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 24, 2014 –Hospice of the Valley’s commitment to ensuring veterans in Silicon Valley have access to quality end-of-life care was validated recently when the organization achieved Level 1 status with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) We Honor Veterans Program. 

One in four people dying in America is a veteran. The rigors, values and experiences of military service may significantly impact and shape a veteran’s perception of serious illness and the end of life. Hospice of the Valley’s goal is to meet the unique needs of veterans and link them to all the services and resources to which they are entitled. Hospice of the Valley is partnering with the Veterans Administration and other community agencies to learn how to best support veterans with the challenges they may be facing from illness, isolation or traumatic life experience.

“It surprises many people to learn that there are over 21 million veterans living in America today,” said J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO President and CEO. “These men and women often carry experiences from their military service that present unique healthcare challenges.”

Hospice of the Valley’s Veteran to Veteran Program offers trained veteran volunteers to accompany and guide the community’s veterans and their families through their life stories toward a more peaceful end of life experience.

“We aim to pair veteran volunteers with patients and clients on service who are themselves veterans,” said Victoria Wild, director of volunteer services. “Veteran volunteers have a unique ability to relate to and connect with veteran patients and their families due to their common life experiences.”

“No one is better equipped to understand the experiences of a veteran than a fellow veteran,” said Sally Adelus, president and CEO of Hospice of the Valley. “We continue to affirm the gratitude and respect our veterans deserve for their service to our country.”

Hospice of the Valley recently moderated a daylong “Improving Care for Veterans Facing Illness and End of Life” for healthcare professionals and volunteers to enhance their sensitivity and understanding of veterans and provide them with new interventions to better serve dying veterans and their families.

If you are a veteran with a serious illness or know of a veteran needing end-of-life support, call Hospice of the Valley at 1.408.559.5600 or visit hospicevalley.org.

To learn more about the Veteran to Veteran Volunteer Program, contact Victoria Wild, director of volunteer services, at 1.408.559.5600 or email vwild@hospicevalley.org.

About Hospice of the Valley

Hospice of the Valley is a nonprofit organization in Silicon Valley that provides serious illness and end-of-life care programs and services, including palliative and hospice care, grief counseling for adults, children and families, and emotional support, education and practical assistance. The organization also provides individual counseling and loss-specific support groups to anyone who has experienced a loss. Established in July 2013, the Palliative Care Center Silicon Valley, the first independent, community-based, licensed outpatient center of its kind in California for seriously ill patients and their families, is a division of Hospice of the Valley. Hospice of the Valley also provides a community resource website for caregivers and families at seriousillness.org/santaclaracounty. Serving Santa Clara County since 1979, Hospice of the Valley honors all cultures, beliefs, values and traditions and is committed to serving its diverse community and providing equitable access to care for all regardless of financial ability. For more information, call 408.559.5600 or visit hospicevalley.org.

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Media Contact:

Hospice of the Valley

Jeanne Wun

Community Relations

jwun@hospicevalley.org

1.408.489.6787