Hospice of the Western Reserve Named We Honor Veterans Partner

Organization is Northeast Ohio’s only Level Three partner

CLEVELAND, Ohio (March 4, 2011) – Did you know 25 percent of those die in the U.S. are Veterans? That means an estimated 29,000 veterans will die in Ohio this year. To help provide care and support that reflects the important contributions of these men and women, Hospice of the Western Reserve has become a national partner of We Honor Veterans, a pioneering campaign developed by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Hospice of the Western Reserve met stringent requirements, helping to improve the care their team of paid and unpaid staff provide the Veterans they proudly serve. The nation is seeing many of the Veterans who served during World War II and the Korean War pass away – and the number of deaths of Vietnam Veterans is beginning to rise.

The We Honor Veterans campaign provides tiered recognition to organizations that demonstrate a systematic commitment to improving care for Veterans. “Partners” assess their ability to serve Veterans and – using resources provided as part of the campaign – integrate best practices for providing end-of-life care to Veterans. Hospice of the Western Reserve is one of only three hospices in Ohio to achieve recognition at Levels One, Two and Three. No hospice has been recognized with the highest Level Four ranking.

Hospice of the Western Reserve launched its Peaceful & Proud: Personalized Care for Veterans program in 2007. Designed to provide staff and volunteers with the tools to respond to our veterans, the program provides education and raises awareness of the unique needs of veterans at the end of life.

By recognizing the particular needs of Veterans facing a serious illness, Hospice of the Western Reserve is able to accompany and guide Veterans and their families toward a more peaceful ending. In cases where there might be some specific needs related to the Veteran’s military service, combat experience or other traumatic events, Hospice of the Western Reserve will have tools to support those they care for.

“All hospices are serving Veterans but many aren’t aware of that person’s service in the armed forces,” said J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO president and CEO. “Through We Honor Veterans we are taking a giant step forward in helping hospice and palliative care providers understand and serve Veterans at the end of life and work more effectively with VA medical facilities in their communities.”

The resources of We Honor Veterans focus on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgment, coupled with Veteran-centric education of health care staff caring for Veterans. To learn more about We Honor Veterans please visit www.wehonorveterans.org.

About Hospice of the Western Reserve

Hospice of the Western Reserve is a community-based, non-profit agency providing comfort care and emotional support to patients and their families, regardless of age, disease or ability to pay. We care for people in a variety of settings including in the home, hospital, assisted living/long-term care facility, at Hospice House, our 42-bed residential facility overlooking Lake Erie or at a 13-bed inpatient Hospice Care Center in Olmsted Township and soon at Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake. For more information, visit hospicewr.org or call 800.707.8922.

Contact our media team for patient and family stories, resources and to arrange interviews.

Laurie Henrichsen
Media Relations
Phone: 216.701.1768
Email: lhenrichsen@hospicewr.org