Brookings Health System’s Hospice Deepens Commitment to We Honor Veterans Program

This Veteran’s Day, Brookings Health System reconfirms its commitment to We Honor Veterans, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s (NHPCO) pioneering campaign that aims to improve the care veterans receive from hospice providers and empowers hospice professionals to meet the unique needs of dying veterans.

“It surprises many Americans to learn that every day, 1,800 Veterans die,” said Lynne Kaufmann, home health and hospice director. “That’s more than 680,000 Veterans every year, or 25 percent of all the people who die in this country annually. By participating in the We Honor Veterans program, Brookings Health System commits to delivering respectful care to veterans at their end of life.”

Last fall, Brookings Health System’s hospice program achieved level one status in the We Honor Veterans program. The organization was recruited by NHPCO to participate in the campaign Fall 2010 and started the orientation process in January 2011. To achieve level one recognition within the campaign, Brookings Health System’s hospice program provided veteran-centric education for staff and volunteers and identified patients with military experience.

NHPCO, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), launched We Honor Veterans in October 2010. The program teaches respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgement to comfort patients with a history of military service and possible physical or psychological trauma. It also provides practical resources, including downloadable forms and descriptions of veteran benefits.

Brookings Health System’s hospice program is one component of organization’s home services. For more information on home health and hospice, or to request services, call (605) 696-7700 or visit brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed Brookview Manor nursing home, and Brookhaven Estates apartments. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock medical-nursing care for patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.