Middlesex Improves Veteran Outreach

Press Release, June 1, 2017

MIDDLETOWN — Middlesex Hospital works hard to recognize local veterans, and that effort is very apparent in the Hospice and Palliative Care unit.

As part of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's We Honor Veterans program, Middlesex Hospital's Hospice and Palliative Care Unit is committed to improving care for veterans by recognizing their unique needs for end-of-life care. The We Honor Veterans Program has four partner levels that represent different levels of commitment, and Middlesex recently achieved level two and is now striving to do more.

To achieve its level two status, Hospice and Palliative Care unit staff members learned about veterans’ benefits and service-related diseases, illnesses and conditions. Volunteers also learn about veterans during orientation, and new staff member are educated on the We Honor Veterans program.

In addition, representatives from the unit have presented to members of local chapters of the American Legion and Elks Club about We Honor Veterans participation and the Hospital’s hospice services.

As it strives to achieve each We Honor Veterans partner level, Middlesex continues to review how it identifies patients who are veterans. This includes auditing files and creating new techniques to ensure that no opportunity to provide optimum care for veterans is missed. It is also starting the Vet to Vet Program, which will pair hospice volunteers who are veterans with hospice patients who are also veterans. This allows veterans to receive support from someone who understands what they have lived through.

“One in four hospice patients is a veteran with unique end-of-life care needs,” says Melanie Cama, director of the Hospital’s Palliative Care Services. “This is why it is important for Middlesex hospice to be knowledgeable in their care. They served our country. It is our opportunity to provide the best service to our veterans at the end of their lives.

Contact Information

Public Relations Director
Amanda Falcone
860-358-6980
amanda.falcone@midhosp.org

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