Peaceful & Proud Veterans Initiative

A growing number of Veterans—WWII’s Greatest Generation—are nearing the natural end of life, and more and more younger Veterans, such as Korean and Vietnam War Veterans and even the modern wars in the Middle East, are in need of palliative care. VA Medical Centers are having trouble keeping up with the increase, and hospices can provide services to Veterans that will ease the burden on the VA.

Through the Peaceful & Proud program, Hospice of the Western Reserve paid and unpaid staff receive training in post-traumatic stress disorder and other emotional issues for Veterans, such as remorse or regret, anxiety and substance abuse. Veterans are assisted with ethical wills, storytelling, expressive therapies using music and art, Veteran-to-Veteran-volunteer pairing, spiritual care and counseling, resources and benefits for Veterans and dependents, and recognition for military service with our Honored Veteran pin.

Ohio has a large Veteran population, ranking 6th in the nation, with nearly 29,000 Veterans dying each year. Because of their unique and often traumatic experiences during their service, Veterans have special needs at the end of life. We have other disease-specific programs at Hospice of the Western Reserve that focus on the particular needs of those patients, but the Veterans initiative is the first one to focus on a shared life experience.

Click here to read more about our partnership with We Honor Veterans.

View the Welcome Home video.

View the Honored Veterans video.

Resources

Combat Veterans Face Traumatic Memories of Death and Dying

Read a hospice volunteer’s story.

Ethical Wills Stir Memories for Patients with Dementia

Read an example of an ethical will.

Life Closure Activities: The Heart of Hospice

Read an example of how life closure made a difference for one patient.

Peaceful & Proud Program Fact Sheet

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.