NORWICH – Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County recently achieved level four status in the We Honor Veterans program, and is the first hospice in New York State to do so.

Chenango Hospice's efforts are part of the larger We Honor Veterans program that was established by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the US Department of Veterans Affairs in order to more actively meet the needs of veterans by providing care that is targeted specifically to veterans.

“By recognizing the unique needs of our nation’s veterans who are facing a life-limiting illness, We Honor Veteran level four partners are better able to accompany and guide veterans and their families toward a more peaceful ending,” said NHPCO President and Chief Executive Office, J. Donald Schumacher. “In cases where there might be some specific needs related to the veteran’s military service, combat experience or other traumatic events, these partners are now capable of providing tools to help support those they are caring for.”

Only 25 percent of veterans die in the Veterans Affairs system, which is why agencies such as Chenango Hospice are working to meet the needs of veterans.

Chenango Hospice has been working towards achieving level four status since 2011, and has either met or exceeded the requirements. The first level requires educating hospice staff about specific end-of-life issues faced by veterans. Numerous veteran service organizations, as well as veterans, came to educate the staff.

“A lot of the staff has ties to the military and thought it was important that veterans get special end-of-life care,” said Kendall Drexler, Development and Clinical Outreach Coordinator for Chenango Hospice.

The second level involves honoring veterans and training veteran volunteers so they can visit veterans affiliated with hospice. Each veteran receives a certificate from NHPCO that recognizes their service, as well as a coin that was inspired by the Challenge Coins that service men receive for outstanding service. The coin is a special tribute that is unique to Chenango Hospice, and is a favorite of the veterans. For the third level, Chenango Hospice was required to create partnerships with veteran organizations. Two meetings have occurred so far with members of Chenango Hospice and numerous veteran organizations discussing the needs of veterans in the county and finding solutions. As a result of the meetings, a veterans’ forum is planned for the spring in which veterans will be able to learn about the various services that are offered.

This is just a brief overview of some of the requirements to meet level four standards, as there is a great deal that must be done in order to achieve and maintain level four status. Amanda Bow, Director of Communications of NHPCO, explained that surveys must be sent out by hospices in order to receive feedback.

“We can always do better, we can always improve,” Bow said. “It's part of the organization's culture.”

Bow outlined the great benefit that such specified care can have on individuals. When asked about the importance of having volunteers who are veterans she said, “There is a common language and it creates a stronger bond, it creates more trust.”

Many veterans experience specific physical and emotional effects from the war zone in which they served, such as the effects of agent orange or PTSD.