VA is Leader in Hospice and Palliative Care

Consultations for Veterans Nationwide

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) is providing hospice and palliative care to a growing number of
veterans throughout the country as the need continues to rise for care and
comfort at the end of life.

VA provides palliative care consultation services at each of its medical
centers and inpatient hospice care in many of its nursing homes throughout the
country. VA contracts with community-based hospice programs to enhance VA's
ability to provide this critical service when and where needed.

"Wherever veterans receive their health care, VA has a system in place to
address their hospice and palliative care needs," said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "We are dedicated to providing compassionate care
and personal assistance to the thousands of veterans and their families who
face terminal illnesses."

Nearly 9,000 veterans were treated in designated hospice beds at VA facilities
in 2007, and thousands of other veterans were referred to community hospices
to receive care in their homes.

The number of veterans treated in VA's inpatient hospice beds increased by 21
percent in 2007. In addition, the average daily number of veterans receiving
hospice care in their homes paid for by VA increased by 30 percent this past
year.

Because of the large number of World War II and Korean era veterans and a
tripling of the number of veterans over the age of 85 from 2000 to 2010, the
increase in the need for hospice care is expected to continue. The proportion
of Vietnam-era veterans over the age of 65 will continue to increase through
2014, when Vietnam veterans will account for nearly 60 percent of all veterans
in that age group.

VA's expansion of its hospice and palliative care capabilities came about
through a collaboration with community-care providers. In 2001, the National
Hospice-Veteran Partnership Initiative began to build partnerships between VA
facilities and community hospice providers, funded in part by the VA and by
nonprofit groups such as the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
and the Advanced Illness Care Coordination Center.

To date, VA has partnered with community hospice programs in 35 states to
promote hospice services that are not provided directly by VA staff. These
partnerships help veterans transition from VA hospitals to their homes in the
community.

Palliative care adds a focus on quality of life and comfort to veterans with
life-limiting illness, and their families. Palliative care consultation teams
include physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains. Additional support
may be provided by pharmacists, rehabilitation therapists, recreation
therapists, mental health professionals and other specialists.

VA provides palliative care consultation teams at all of its hospitals
nationwide, although such services are provided at only about one-fourth of
all American hospitals. Nearly half of all veterans who died in VA facilities
received care from a palliative care team prior to their deaths.

"VA is committed to helping veterans spend their final days with dignity and
comfort, in the setting that best fits their needs and wishes," Peake said.

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SOURCE U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

VA Public Affairs, +1-202-461-7600