BRANSON, Mo. – The Compassus program serving Branson, Missouri, and the surrounding communities today announced it has achieved Level Four Partnership with We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve end-of-life care for American veterans. This is the highest level in the partnership and demonstrates the program’s commitment to increasing access to hospice care for veterans in the community.
“One out of four dying Americans is a veteran, so we are passionate about working to best understand and recognize their special circumstances and needs, including military culture, physical and mental wounds and post-traumatic stress,” said Craig Buck, chaplain for Compassus – Branson. “At the end of life, veterans may experience intense emotions such as guilt, fear, anger, anxiety and stress – feelings that have reemerged from their time in the service. Our priority is to bring comfort to these patients and their families during these challenging times.”
We Honor Veterans provides educational tools and resources to help hospice providers promote veteran-centered educational activities, increase organizational capacity to serve veterans, develop and/or strengthen strategic partnerships, increase access and improve quality of care.
NHPCO and the VA invite hospice providers to pursue four levels of partnership with the We Honor Veterans program. The fourth and highest level demonstrates a provider’s commitment to improve quality by measuring the impact of VA and community interventions. Preceding levels require community education and outreach to veteran organizations, establishing veteran-specific policies and procedures, and seeking local partnerships with veteran organizations.
“We are very proud of this accomplishment and look forward to continuing to serve veterans in our community at the highest level and with the dignity they deserve at the end of life,” said Janet Gard, executive director of Compassus – Branson. “The selfless, courageous service of our veterans and their colorful memories of defending our nation should be treasured, and we are thankful for the opportunity to show appreciation these individuals who are among our community’s most valuable members.”
NHPCO is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the U.S. The organization is committed to improving end-of-life care and expanding access to hospice with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.
The mission of the VA is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans.
Visit our Branson page or call (417) 335-2004 for more information.
