Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro Launches Vet to Vet Program
August 30, 2013
Thanks to many selfless volunteers, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro (HPCG) began a Vet to Vet program in August. This program is part of HPCG’s collaboration with NHPCO and the Veterans Administration’s We Honor Veterans (WHV) initiative. Establishing a veteran to veteran volunteer program is a criterion for hospices accomplishing WHV Partner Level Three.
“The Vet to Vet volunteer program aims to pair recruited veteran volunteers with hospice patients who have been identified as veterans,” explained Donna Camp, M. Ed., volunteer coordinator. “Once paired with hospice patients who also have military experience, veteran volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with veterans and their families.”
The program offers an emotionally safe environment for patients, while providing a few basic services to them, such as providing transportation, breaks for family members and caregivers, as well as education and assistance about veteran benefits.
The Vet to Vet program serves an important part of the care veteran hospice patients receive from HPCG because veteran volunteers have the ability to connect with these patients on a unique level and have gone through similar experiences. “They share a bond that opens doors of trust and allows volunteers to share those experiences with the veteran hospice patients,” shared Camp.
HPCG, a nonprofit organization serving Guilford County and surrounding areas for more than 30 years, is situated on an eight-acre campus at 2500 Summit Avenue. HPCG provides physical, emotional and spiritual support for children and adults faced with a life-limiting illness, as well as their caregivers and families. For more information, contact HPCG at 336.621.2500 or hospicegso.org.
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