Veterans who become hospice patients are often longing for another veteran to visit with them. Hospice veteran volunteers are trained to provide compassionate assistance to the patient and their family members. Veterans have often kept their service-related stories to themselves, but as they face end-of-life, they may need someone who can listen without judgment and bear witness to their experiences. It can be a huge relief to have another veteran to talk with.
Volunteers can also provide practical help around the home. There may be tasks the veteran is no longer able to keep up with due to their declining health. What may seem like a small job to the volunteer can mean the world to a hospice patient.
Geisinger Hospice offers Veteran Pinning Ceremonies as part of our We Honor Veterans program. The veteran is presented with a personalized certificate and Veterans Service Flag Pin as staff members and volunteers honor them. For some of our patients, this was the first time they were thanked for their service!
These men and women have honorably served their country - now it's our turn to honor them before time runs out.
Watch our video to learn more: Hospice Volunteering