Dateline - Hospice Buffalo

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Dateline
FAMILY TESTIMONIAL
“Your staff
is wonderful…
thank you
for sending us
such angels
of mercy.”
With Hospice care, veterans can receive the
compassion and dignity we all deserve at the end of life.
WHAT HOSPICE HAS DONE FOR MY FAMILY
My dad has a chronic lung and heart condition. We were in the hospital
at least once a week for either seizures or shortness of breath. He no
longer drives and it was taking its toll on me and my sister, and mostly
my mom and dad. She didn't know what to do or where to turn.
They were not getting any answers.
I recently started a new position at UB Family Medicine and came in
to tour the Hospice campus with my 3rd year students. I saw the
brochure on the above disease and gave it to my mom in the hospital.
She called the next day and hospice came out.
It has only been 2 weeks and already the quality of both my dad’s and
my mom’s life has changed dramatically due to hospice. They are kind,
knowledgeable and are giving them answers and options and most of all
helping them at a time when they need it most. The advertisements are
right – it’s never too early too call. Now we know someone really cares
about what happens to my dad and is trying to make whatever time he
has left the best it can possibly be!! I cannot thank you enough for all
you do. I now feel peace knowing that someone cares about my dad and
will do everything they can to make sure he is comfortable. Thank you
from the bottom of my heart!!!!!
- Pam Coniglio, Hospice family member
reprinted with permission.
Hospice Buffalo Recognizes Veterans for their Service, Continued from page 1.
“Many Americans are unaware that more than 50,000 veterans die
each month; that’s roughly 28 percent of all deaths in the United States,”
commented Don Schumacher, president and CEO of the National
Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). “Ensuring that all
veterans receive compassionate care of the highest quality at the end of
their lives is a responsibility we owe those who have served their country.”
During this period of historically high deaths of veterans, there continues
to be variability in the care delivered at the end of life. Nearly 40 percent
of enrolled veterans live in areas that are considered rural, where community
hospices and VA palliative care programs are often not readily available.
On any given night, more than 200,000 veterans are without shelter and
lack basic healthcare. Ensuring that all veterans receive compassionate,
quality care at the end-of-life is a priority of NHPCO and the Department
of Veterans Affairs Hospice and Palliative Care Program.
Hospice care is part of the basic medical benefits package for veterans
enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Hospice services
are also covered by Medicare, Medicaid, most managed care organizations,
private insurance plans, and HMOs. However, as is true with a majority of
the American public, most veterans don’t know that these options exist.
“It’s vital that we work closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) Medical Center, veteran service groups and community organizations to
raise awareness of the unique needs of veterans at the end of life and improve
access to hospice and palliative care at all sites and in all settings,” said Finn.