Also Known As:
VA hospice, veteran hospice care, We Honor Veterans hospice
Type:
Hospice care for honorably discharged veterans, often coordinated with VA benefits
Primary Purpose:
To deliver high-quality hospice care that honors a veteran’s service, including pinning ceremonies, military-aware symptom care, and coordination with VA benefits when applicable.
When It Applies:
Any time a veteran qualifies for hospice. Veterans can use Medicare, VA benefits, or both.
Who Is Involved:
The veteran, family, hospice team, and sometimes a VA hospice coordinator if VA benefits are in use.
Where It Occurs:
At home, in a VA facility, in a community hospice inpatient unit, or in an assisted-living or nursing facility.
Duration:
Same as any hospice stay, as long as eligibility continues.
Coverage:
Hospice for veterans is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, or private insurance depending on the veteran’s enrollment status.
Key Focus:
Honoring service, addressing service-related conditions (PTSD, exposure-related cancers, hearing loss), and acknowledging the veteran’s identity through pinning ceremonies and other recognition.
Common Misunderstanding:
Veterans don’t have to choose between VA care and community hospice. Many use VA benefits for some services and a community provider like Lifted for the in-home hospice care.
Texas Veterans and Hospice
Texas is home to more than 1.4 million veterans, one of the largest veteran populations in the country. At Lifted, veterans hospice care is built around a few specific commitments:
- Coordination with the VA when the veteran is enrolled in VA healthcare
- Pinning ceremonies that honor the veteran’s service in front of family
- Awareness of service-related conditions, PTSD, Agent Orange-related cancers, burn-pit exposures, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury
- Cultural sensitivity to military identity, rank, branch, and era of service
- Connection to community veteran groups and resources
Pinning Ceremonies
One of the most meaningful moments in veterans hospice care is a pinning ceremony. A Lifted Community Liaison and team member present the veteran with a lapel pin and certificate of appreciation, often in front of family. The ceremony takes 15–20 minutes and can happen at home, in a facility, or in a community space.
For veterans whose service was decades ago and rarely acknowledged in daily life, the pinning is often a deeply emotional experience. Families remember it for years.
VA Benefits and Hospice Coverage
Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare may have multiple coverage options for hospice:
- VA Community Care, VA contracts with community hospice providers to deliver care closer to home
- Medicare, veterans 65+ can use the Medicare Hospice Benefit through any Medicare-certified hospice
- VA inpatient hospice units, for veterans who choose VA-facility care
Lifted’s intake team can help families understand which option fits best. Contact our team or call (972) 777-3000.