(Danbury, Conn.) On July 27th, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization awarded Regional Hospice (RHPC) the prestigious distinction of a “We Honor Veterans” Partner Level Four. The highest designation in the “We Honor Veterans” program is awarded to RHPC for its continuing dedication to ensuring local Veterans have access to high quality end-of-life care. Director of Volunteer Services, Mary Beth Hickey, MS, worked tirelessly as the driving force behind this endeavor.
The We Honor Veterans Program is a nationwide initiative geared at increasing organizational capacity to serve Veteran populations at end-of-life. Regional Hospice, over the past three years, evaluated and improved protocols to ensure that the needs of Veteran hospice patients were being met. Additionally, RHPC conducted staff and volunteer education and recruited Veteran volunteers for its Veteran-to-Veteran volunteer program. In order to achieve this highest level four distinction, Regional Hospice attended and hosted Veteran conferences, did Veteran-specific community outreach, and gathered feedback from family members of Veteran hospice patients in order to improve care delivery.
Additionally, RHPC also strengthened important partnerships with the State of Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs and the Hudson Valley Veterans Partnership.
All hospice patients on Regional Hospice’s program receive thank you pins in appreciation for their service to our country and are connected with resources. Additionally, the Regional Hospice team can arrange visits from Veteran volunteers and Veteran Administration representatives to honor Veteran patients through an official military ceremony. These individuals have the unique ability to connect through a common code of conduct, language, and sense of honor.
“It is our privilege to care for the men and women who have served our country. Becoming a Level Four Partner in the We Honor Veterans program exemplifies our agency’s commitment to showing our gratitude and supporting the dignity of all veterans during end-of-life care” said Cynthia Emiry Roy, RHPC President & CEO.
Regional Hospice has served Fairfield, New Haven, Hartford & Litchfield counties with nonprofit home hospice care for over 30 years. In 2015, RHPC opened the state-of-the-art Center for Comfort Care & Healing. This family-centered hospice residence is CT’s first and only private-suite facility. Its mission is to provide exceptional end-of-life care, comfort and compassion to infants, children, adults and their families with a dedicated staff of professionals. For more information, visit www.RegionalHospiceCT.org. Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RegionalHospiceCT.