Veteran Care
Many veterans have had distinctive experiences they carry with them throughout life. When it comes to caring for our veterans at end-of-life, we honor those experiences and are aware of the impact they have. Our staff receive special training, so they have the knowledge, empathy, and skills to provide the best possible care for our veteran patients.
It is a privilege to honor our veteran patients for their service.
Beyond Medical Care
In addition to understanding the impact of military history, Trellis staff are attentive to veteran patients in many ways, honoring their service, knowing how post-traumatic stress can present itself at end of life, holding a ceremonial pinning to honor each veteran patient, and understanding what is important to veterans at end of life. Our approach to care begins with having empathy and understanding, and a sincere appreciation for their service.
Our care of veterans extends to their families as well, with support and acknowledgment of their sacrifices and emotional needs.
Connections
Our veteran patients and families who wish to have a volunteer are often paired with a veteran volunteer. There is a camaraderie among veterans that can often only be understood by veterans. “It takes one to know one,” is a sentiment expressed by one of our veteran volunteers.
Beyond providing palliative and hospice care, we create space for veterans to connect in other ways; through special Veteran Coffees, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day events, veteran-specific Advance Care Planning workshops, Greif Support, and more.
Trellis is fortunate to have an active Veteran Advisory Council. This is a volunteer group, made up of veterans who are committed to providing guidance and support to Trellis Supportive Care as we continue our commitment to veteran outreach and the best possible care to our veteran patients and their families.
Veteran patients may have unique needs as they face death. Even though it has been many years since they served in combat duty, the stress of being sick and facing their own mortality again can bring back memories, feelings of guilt or flashbacks to traumatic situations. Our staff is trained in techniques on how to approach veterans and encourage them to express their emotions. In addition, there are physical impacts of specific wars that can be addressed medically.
As with every patient, our team of caregivers helps to ease pain and provide calm and comfort. Our chaplains, social workers, nurses, nurses aids and volunteers are all taught to be aware of situations some veterans might encounter. We also have veterans volunteers to provide companions to our veteran patients.
If you are looking for help with care of your loved one who is a veteran, you can be sure that putting them in the care of Trellis Supportive Care will give them the security and reassurance they need to face death with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind.
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