Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Military veterans receive expanded services from Four Seasons #WNC



Four Seasons Recognized for Quality Care Provided to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans

The “We Honor Veterans” Partner progressively increases its ability to serve veterans during serious, life-altering illness and at end of life, collaborating with Veterans’ Administration to improve care

Four Seasons Compassion for Life, an award winning hospice and palliative care industry leader, has been recognized as a Level 2 “We Honor Veterans” partner for its organizational capacity to provide quality care for U.S. military veterans.

Four Seasons serves increasing numbers of veterans in western North Carolina annually during serious, life limiting illness or at end of life. Approximately 770,000 North Carolinians are veterans, a number which includes more than 53 percent of men aged 55 or older.

Veterans facing a life limiting illness often have specific needs related to their military service, says Chris Comeaux, Four Seasons’ chief executive officer.

“Particular care is needed to accompany and guide veterans and families who wish to reconcile the traumas of service or combat experience prior to end of life,” he says. “We help them find meaning, acknowledge their service with gratitude, and treat their needs with the dignity they deserve.”

Last year, more than 18,300 veterans were admitted to health care facilities in the state last year, including 5,355 persons receiving care from Asheville providers. Today, veterans comprise 25 percent of individuals who die in the U.S. each year, according to NHPCO.

 “Four Seasons has previously established its ability to offer quality care which meets the specific needs of veterans,” says Jan Buchanan, a clinical specialist in spiritual care.

“Now, we further commit to develop and strengthen our relationships with Veterans’ medical centers and organizations in order to increase access to hospice and measurably improve quality of care for all veterans in western North Carolina.”

The “We Honor Veterans” campaign was developed by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in cooperation with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, or NHPCO.  Participating care providers advance systematically by levels of commitment to Veteran-specific care and services

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