Calvert Hospice delivers Veteran-centric care to Calvert County veterans and family members
News Release, Calvert Hospice
Prince Frederick, MD – Calvert Hospice is proud to announce it is now a Level 5 Partner with We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Level 5 is the highest level WHV partners can attain and includes several new required activities and yearly recertification.
As a partner, Calvert Hospice is providing specialized care to Veterans who are facing a life-limiting illness. Aside from existing partner requirements, Level 5 partners place a greater emphasis on staff education and caring for Vietnam-era and combat Veterans. Additionally, Level 5 partners take on the role of regional mentor to other WHV partners working to enhance their programs.
“When we set out to create the Level 5 program we knew that it had to be different to truly showcase the efforts needed to go above and beyond. Not only have you demonstrated your commitment, but you have helped shape the program and have continued as an example of what all hospice partners should strive to be,” said NHPCO President & CEO Edo Banach.
NHPCO and the Department of Veterans Affairs launched We Honor Veterans in 2010 to address the growing need for Veteran-centered care, especially as Veterans are aging and need access to palliative and hospice care.
Calvert Hospice is proud to be a Level 5 partner of the We Honor Veterans program. Achieving Level 5 status is a goal we set for 2019, and we are so pleased to have achieved it. We are one of only two hospices in the state of Maryland to reach this level! We look forward to continuing to offer veterans in our community the highest quality end-of-life care possible by educating our staff and the community about veteran-centric issues, connecting veterans with the benefits they are eligible for, and recognizing their service to our nation. Each veteran patient we care for is offered a salute ceremony that includes the presentation of a personalized certificate, a commemorative pin, a service-specific lap blanket, readings, prayer, and a salute from all veterans present. Since launching our program, we have honored more than 90 veterans in our final salute ceremonies.
Learn more about the We Honor Veterans program at www.WeHonorVeterans.org and about Calvert Hospice’s We Honor Veterans program at www.calverthospice.org/we-honor-veterans.