We Honor Veterans Program Gets 3 Stars

(PASADENA, MD, DECEMBER 18, 2015) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization announced Dec. 15, 2015, that Hospice of the Chesapeake’s We Honor Veterans program has achieved Level 3 status. According to the NHPCO’s We Honor Veterans Team, the designation reflects Hospice of the Chesapeake’s commitment to ensuring Veterans have access to quality end-of-life care.

Hospice of the Chesapeake recognizes the unique needs of Veterans facing life-limiting illness. And there are many to serve -- Veterans make up 25 percent of our patient base. On any given day, our staff and volunteers are caring for more than 100 Veterans in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties.

Our Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer Program; Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, Veterans Day and Tribute Wall events; partnerships with the U. S. Naval Academy, Fort George G. Meade and Anne Arundel County Public Schools and educational programs are among the many initiatives that helped us to achieve the third of four levels with the national program. At the top of our accomplishments is our growing Honor Salute program. So far this year, 98 Honor Salutes have been performed at the homes and bedsides of our Veteran patients.

The We Honor Veterans program is part of the national Hospice-Veteran Partnership, a collaborative effort between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the NHPCO. The campaign’s goal is to help improve the care dying Veterans receive from the nation’s hospice and palliative care providers.

To get involved with the We Honor Veterans Committee as a volunteer, contact Diane Sancilio at 443.837.1549 or dsancilio@hospicechesapeake.org. To become a program sponsor, contact Chris Wilson at 443.837.1530 or cwilson@hospicechesapeake.org.

Caring for life throughout the journey with illness and loss is the mission of Hospice of the Chesapeake. For more information, please visit www.hospicechesapeake.org.