WINTER 2014
23
Honoringour veterans
at Hospice of Southwest Georgia
For the past three years, Hospice of
Southwest Georgia has acknowl-
edged the unique needs of vet-
erans at the end of life by being
a part of We Honor Veterans—a
collaboration between the Veterans
Administration and the National
Hospice and Palliative Care
Organization.
On July 17, Hospice of Southwest
Georgia staff gathered with family
and friends of late veterans at the
Cairo Country Club to honor veteran
patients who proudly and selflessly
served our country.
After a speech from Hospice
of Southwest Georgia adminis-
trator Lisa Phillips, RN, BSN, the
Ochlocknee American Legion gave
the presentation of the colors and
the national anthem was sung
by Jerry Brinson, of Thomasville.
Hospice volunteers and staff who
served in the armed forces read the
creeds of each of the branches of
the military as well as the names
of the veteran patients Hospice
of Southwest Georgia cared for
during the year. Portraits of honored
veterans were provided by family
members and displayed during the
ceremony with the creeds from their
branch of service. The service con-
cluded with the playing of taps.
“Hospice of Southwest Georgia’s
participation in the We Honor
Veterans program has helped
better prepare our staff to meet
the special needs of veterans and
their families at this stage in their
life,” says Phillips. “It was such an
honor for our staff to gather with
the families and friends of our
veterans as a way to celebrate the
lives and accomplishments of these
special patients.”
Georgia
Lisa Phillips, RN, BSN
their family’s needs
are met.
“I’ve seen firsthand
how the Hospice of
Southwest Georgia
staff represents
the true meaning
of compassion and
quality in every aspect
of the care we provide,” Phillips says.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of Archbold’s
Hospice of Southwest Georgia team, and
I hope to raise the bar in regards to ser-
vices provided by Hospice of Southwest
Georgia while continuing to provide
high-quality compassionate care as we
continue to serve our patients and our
communities.”
Hospice of
Southwest
Georgia
nurse Cindy
Grantham
with Mary Ann
Cason, wife of
late veteran
William Cason
As an added benefit, hospice staff stay
in contact with a person’s family after he
or she has died. They offer support to the
family through the grieving process.
Finding a hospice
Often, hospice care is provided at home.
But it may also be offered in a hospital,
nursing home or hospice residence.
There is a Medicare benefit if hospice
care is provided by an approved agency.
For those who qualify, private health
plans, the Department of Veterans Affairs
and, in most states, Medicaid offer cover-
age as well.
Doctors and hospital discharge plan-
ners can help people find hospices in
their area.
If you or a loved one is facing a
life-limiting illness, consider how hos-
pice may help. The end of life can be a
challenging time, but hospice may make
it easier for all involved.
of life