Page 88 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2021- Online Magazine

Physician to Physician: Caring for Our Veterans

By Ronald J. Crossno, MD, FAAFP, FAAHPM, Chief Medical Officer and National Medical Director
Kindred at Home - Hospice Division

Our family of hospice care providers is proud to say we honor but have unique experiences complicating their care. Vietnam

our veterans 365 days a year. Veterans make up a significant veterans were largely ignored or ostracized for their service
portion of our hospice population, and understanding the leading to complicated relationships with others, as well as
particular needs of these heroes improves the care we can the healthcare system. While Gulf War and recent veterans
provide for them. “Thank you for your service” is a default are more accepted, they are relatively young with their own
Physician to Physician: Caring for Our Veterans
phrase used by many, and we replace and supplement that distinctive issues. All veterans are at significant risk for post-
By Ronald J. Crossno, MD, FAAFP, FAAHPM, Chief Medical Officer and National Medical Director
phrase with action. traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and substance use
Kindred at Home - Hospice Division
disorders.
Our family of hospice care providers is proud to say we honor but have unique experiences complicating their care. Vietnam
We Honor Veterans (WHV) is a nationwide, independent veterans were largely ignored or ostracized for their service
our veterans 365 days a year. Veterans make up a significant
leading to complicated relationships with others, as well as
program dedicated to recognizing veterans and improving Recognizing veterans for their service can significantly
portion of our hospice population, and understanding the
particular needs of these heroes improves the care we can lessen suffering. Such acknowledgement can range from a
the healthcare system. While Gulf War and recent veterans
their end-of-life care. This program has a tiered set of standards
provide for them. “Thank you for your service” is a default are more accepted, they are relatively young with their own
ranging from Level 1 to Level 5, with more than 91% of our pinning ceremony that can be performed for any veteran, to
phrase used by many, and we replace and supplement that
distinctive issues. All veterans are at significant risk for post-
hospice agencies pa
phrase with action.rticipating. Over 90 of our branches have Honor Flights, in which the veteran is flown to a gathering of
traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and substance use
disorders.
attained Level 3, meaning they go beyond providing ‘veteran- contemporaries to meet together. Our organization recently
centric’ education and organizational capacity, and develop and instituted The Final Salute, where the veteran leaves one’s
We Honor Veterans (WHV) is a nationwide, independent
Recognizing veterans for their service can significantly
program dedicated to recognizing veterans and improving home for the final time under the US Flag for which he or she
strengthen relationships with veteran and other organizations.
their end-of-life care. This program has a tiered set of standards lessen suffering. Such acknowledgement can range from a
Another 60 branches have achieved Level 4 by demonstrating served. We are also implementing specific training on Soul
pinning ceremony that can be performed for any veteran, to
ranging from Level 1 to Level 5, with more than 91% of our
their commitment to increase access and further improve Injury – another condition that, if not addressed, significantly
Honor Flights, in which the veteran is flown to a gathering of
hospice agencies participating. Over 90 of our branches have
quality of care for veterans. Eight of our branches have been complicates the suffering of dying veterans.
contemporaries to meet together. Our organization recently
attained Level 3, meaning they go beyond providing ‘veteran-
centric’ education and organizational capacity, and develop and instituted The Final Salute, where the veteran leaves one’s
accredited with the new WHV Level 5 designation, indicating
strengthen relationships with veteran and other organizations. home for the final time under the US Flag for which he or she
the most rigorous level of commitment that few have achieved. This article lacks the space for a full discussion of this wide-
served. We are also implementing specific training on Soul
Another 60 branches have achieved Level 4 by demonstrating
their commitment to increase access and further improve ranging and important topic, but such material is the core of the
Injury – another condition that, if not addressed, significantly
quality of care for veterans. Eight of our branches have been complicates the suffering of dying veterans.
Why is this important? With a few exceptions, veterans We Honor Veterans training. We are proud to be part of this
accredited with the new WHV Level 5 designation, indicating
experience the same array of diseases and conditions leading to very important program, and are committed to provide well-
the most rigorous level of commitment that few have achieved.
This article lacks the space for a full discussion of this wide-
death as do others. However, because of their military training deserved recognition of our veterans while improving their care
ranging and important topic, but such material is the core of the
and experience, how veterans face and undergo their disease during their last journey in life.
Why is this important? With a few exceptions, veterans
We Honor Veterans training. We are proud to be part of this
experience the same array of diseases and conditions leading to
trajectory is often different. As one expert puts it, “Failure very important program, and are committed to provide well-
death as do others. However, because of their military training deserved recognition of our veterans while improving their care
to understand the nature of suffering can result in a medical
during their last journey in life.
and experience, how veterans face and undergo their disease Questions about the We Honor Veterans program
intervention that, though technically adequate, not only fails to
trajectory is often different. As one expert puts it, “Failure
relieve suffering, but becomes a source of suffering itself.” or our compassionate, veteran-centric hospice
to understand the nature of suffering can result in a medical
Questions about the We Honor Veterans program
intervention that, though technically adequate, not only fails to care? We are here.
relieve suffering, but becomes a source of suffering itself.” or our compassionate, veteran-centric hospice
Where veterans are in their end-of-life experience and how they care? We are here.
proceed through these last months of life is often governed by
Where veterans are in their end-of-life experience and how they
the era in which they served. World War II veterans are now the
proceed through these last months of life is often governed by
the era in which they served. World War II veterans are now the
oldest group we encounter – a group that is rapidly dwindling
oldest group we encounter – a group that is rapidly dwindling
in numbers, meaning there is no longer appreciable support
in numbers, meaning there is no longer appreciable support
from peers. Korean War veterans are often underrecognized,
from peers. Korean War veterans are often underrecognized,
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09.02.20 KH-1483-090220