We Honor Veterans

Today is Veteran’s Day 11/11/11

We want to honor our veterans by focusing on how hospice can reach out and honor their life and legacy!

We are an NHPCO’S ‘We Honor Veterans’ partner.

We have found there are some very important things that can be done to recognize and honor Veterans in the community who are also a part of our hospice.

1) Thank them for their service, no matter how they served (combat or non combat)
2) Ask about their Legacy.
3) Hold a veteran recognition ceremony.

4) Plan and implement an 'Escort Ceremony'

1) Thank Them: Upon a patient being admitted to Medi Hospice, our social workers or nurses ask the patient if they are a Veteran and record as much information as possible about the patient’s Veteran status.

Here’s a plan we would like to implement:After a veteran is admitted to hospice our spiritual care Chaplains could be contacted and within 24 hours or less they could visit the patient’s home and presents them with a plaque and pin - thanking them for their service.  This act of kindness could bring a lot of patients to tears of appreciation. These memorial tribute items could be it displayed at their funeral ceremony.

2) Ask about their Legacy: Currently we are talking with our patients and listening to their stories.  We honor and affirm their service to our country and to protecting the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy

Here’s a plan we would like to implement:After purchasing a recording device and after one or two visits with a patient a volunteer politely could ask if the patient wouldn't mind if he recorded their stories. If the patient agrees, the volunteer goes back to the home and sits for hours - recording the patient’s legacy.  With the patients' permission some of these recordings could be put on display at our local museum. Perhaps some patients might offer to lend copies of photos and documents from their childhood and war experiences -- what a wonderful way to add value to someone’s life.  We are so thankful to have such passionate volunteers who have expressed an interest in being involved in this.

3) Veteran Recognition Ceremony: This would be an event to offer public recognition to our veterans, may they be our patients, staff or volunteers.

Here’s a plan we would like to implement:In attendance at the ceremony would be staff, patients and families if they are able, veteran volunteers, families of volunteers and our local elected officials. Our local news station B101.5 and newspaper, Free Lance Star, also would be invited to attended. The event will provide media coverage and promote our mission as a We Honor Veterans partner. 

4) Escort Ceremony:  Recognizing and Honoring Patients After Death     

Here’s a plan we would like to implement:Stein Hospice in Sandusky, OH has instituted an Escort Ceremony in their Inpatient Unit to provide a method of recognizing and honoring patients after death. For those who are known to have served in a branch of the United States military service, a special Veteran ceremony is performed. Medi Hospice does not have an inpatient unit however this is something we could offer in our homes or facilities where our veteran patients reside. Although it is such a simple procedure, it has meant so much to families.  Stein is now receiving requests to use the ceremony in nursing homes and hospitals as the word has spread by those who have witnessed it.

Medi Home Hospice would like to honor and thank all of our veterans!! You are special to us and we hope that we can serve you as honorably as you have served our country!!

If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at Medi Hospice by calling 540-361-7696 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            540-361-7696      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

 We are currently scheduling the next training class for early 2012. We are accepting volunteer applications at this time.