With nearly one in ten patients served by NPHI members being veterans, organizations nationwide are honoring their service this Veterans Day through heartfelt ceremonies, activities, and resources that uphold their dignity and honor.
This Veterans Day, the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) proudly honors all the men and women who have served our country. With more than 120 nonprofit member organizations across the nation, NPHI members care for a population that includes nearly 10% veterans, providing advanced illness and hospice care that ensures each veteran’s service is recognized, respected, and honored.
“Providing quality care for veterans is one of the greatest ways we can give back,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, NPHI founder and CEO. “It’s not just medical care—it’s ensuring that every veteran’s values, preferences, and life goals are honored in the care they receive. We walk alongside them with dignity, respect, and gratitude for a lifetime of service.”
“At the end of life, what veterans and all patients deserve most is to be heard, valued, and supported,” said Carole Fisher, NPHI President. “The hospice and palliative care services provided by our members create meaningful moments for veterans and their families, helping them live fully and on their own terms, even in life’s most difficult times.”
A Veterans Guide
To help communities, family caregivers, and veterans themselves navigate benefits and services, NPHI offers Serving Those Who Served Us, a Veterans Resources Guide, available at nphihealth.org/veterans. This comprehensive guide provides critical information on:
- Service-Connected Disability Compensation for illnesses or injuries related to military service
- Veterans & Survivor Pensions to support low-income veterans and surviving spouses
- Advance Care Planning to document medical wishes and designate decision-makers
- Caregiver Respite Programs to support those caring for veterans
- Burial and Survivor Benefits to honor the legacy of those who served
The guide includes many additional topics important to veterans and their families as they navigate hospice, palliative, and advanced illness care.
More than 7 million veterans live in the U.S., many of whom already rely on—or soon will rely on—hospice and palliative services. NPHI’s guide ensures that these veterans and their families can access benefits, plan ahead, and receive care tailored to their unique experiences and needs.
How Our Members Support Veterans
Beyond care at the bedside, NPHI members honor veterans through community programs and activities, many of which will take place around Veterans Day, such as:
- Veteran recognition ceremonies and walks that bring together communities to celebrate service for individual veterans
- Letters to Veterans, where local schoolchildren share gratitude and personal messages
- Story-sharing projects, ensuring that veterans’ life experiences are remembered and celebrated
- Partnerships with local VA facilities to provide holistic support and specialized services
“Hospice and palliative care are about more than medical support—they’re about returning a measure of dignity and respect to those who have given so much,” said Tom Koutsoumpas. “Whether it’s through a pinning ceremony, a heartfelt letter from a child, or simply listening deeply to a veteran’s wishes, our members honor service in meaningful, lasting ways.”
Learn more about NPHI’s veteran resources by visiting nphihealth.org/veterans.
Photo: Unity Hospice veteran and patient at a Unity veterans pinning event. Recognized by staff and volunteers for his years of service.
