The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs and Avera have partnered to build a consortium of veteran volunteers to ensure excellent care at the end of life is available for veterans.
Avera@Home Hospice began a partnership with the We Honor Veterans program three years ago. Avera Hospice teams provide care in veterans’ homes, long-term care facilities and rural hospitals.
Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs Greg Whitlock says Avera’s care teams have made a voluntary commitment to incorporate the We Honor Veterans program in their hospice services. He says the Department, Avera and the Hughes County Veterans Service Office have invited over 40 veterans to join them at an information-sharing event in January so they can learn about this volunteering opportunity.
Whitlock says veterans never take off their uniforms, even when they retire or complete active service. He says their core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage are rooted in who they are.
