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Elder Care News
VA Hospice Care Grows as Veterans over 85 Expected
to Triple
Nearly half of veterans dying in VA
facilities received palliative care
 Jan. 16, 2008 -- 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. 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.
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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. Nearly half of all
veterans who died in VA facilities received care from a palliative care
team prior to their deaths.
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 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.
By comparison, only about one-fourth of all
American hospitals provide palliative care consultation.
"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."
Peake added, “VA is committed to helping veterans
spend their final days with dignity and comfort, in the setting that
best fits their needs and wishes."
Web Site:
http://www.va.gov/
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