News
Agape Care Is Now a Level 4 Partner of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s We Honor Veterans Program
Spartanburg, SC, November 11, 2020 – Agape Care is proud to announce it is now a Level 4 Partner with We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The progression to this new level demonstrates a high level of commitment to veteran-centric care in the community.
To achieve Level 4 certification, hospice organizations are required to provide veteran-centric education for staff and volunteers, identify patients with military experience, develop and strengthen relationships with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, and increase access and improve quality of care for veterans in the community.
As a partner, Agape Care has provided specialized care to veterans who are facing a serious illness. This includes a veteran-to-veteran volunteer program, training on conflict-specific medical and mental health concerns, and knowledge to assist veterans in navigating VA benefits.
Agape Care takes an innovative approach to veteran care, such as chartering the startup of a new Hospice Veterans Partnership (HVP) via the South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association (SCHCHA) and the NHPCO; staffing volunteer coordinators that are intentional about visiting local county veteran affairs offices regularly; and employing a hospice physician who is an oncologist that serves as a veteran’s liaison to our team of physicians.
We serve all 46 counties in the state, so no matter where a veteran resides, our team can provide care. We also have four hospice houses throughout the state, each with dedicated veterans rooms. These houses are a safe haven where patients receive state-of-the-art medical care and pain and symptom management.
“Our team is committed to meeting the unique needs of veterans who are facing advanced illness. Earning this level of partnership encourages our continued support of veterans to provide the customized care, support, and comfort they and their family need,” said Agape Care Chief Executive Officer Troy Yarborough.
The NHPCO and the Department of Veterans Affairs launched We Honor Veterans in 2010 to address the growing need for veteran-centered care, especially as veterans from different eras are aging and need access to veteran-centric palliative and hospice care. Learn more about the We Honor Veterans program at www.WeHonorVeterans.org.