The “No Veteran Dies Alone” program’s aim is to ensure that Veterans are honored by a volunteer or staff member within 72 hours before their passing. It does this by meeting the unfulfilled needs of those Veterans who find themselves alone at the end of their life.
“In the tender and vulnerable moments of life’s closing chapter, solitude often looms for some of our nation’s finest heroes,” said Orlando VA Chaplain Eunice Smith. “These Veterans who have sacrificed so much of their lives to our nation find comfort in the compassionate arms of a dedicated team with the noble mission of ensuring their transition into the great beyond is met with the same unwavering commitment they once offered to us all.”
The program is personal
For Smith, the program is personal. Her brother, Elois Woodard, was one of five brothers drafted into the Armed Services. He was a Marine and Purple Heart recipient who served in the Korean War.
“Prior to passing away, he had wandered out of his home in the early morning hours in the cold streets of San Francisco and succumbed to the elements all alone,” she shared.
A poignant incident involving nurse Kiley Hilderbrandt caring for a Veteran also underscored the urgency of the program’s importance. Hilderbrandt recalled a situation with a Veteran’s daughter who needed to leave her father to tend to her young child. The Veteran eventually passed away with nursing staff by his bedside.
Due to Hilderbrandt’s experience, she reached out to Cristina Mercado Acevedo, Center of Development and Civic Engagement chief, to inquire about what options may be available for special circumstances.
“We deal with oncology patients and they sometimes don’t have families that are available toward the end of their life,” said nurse Allexius Harrell. “Especially during the midnight shift when families are not present. Having someone there for Veterans during this time makes a world of difference.”
Since June 2023, the program has grown significantly. “One hundred per cent of the Veterans who qualified for program have been served thus far. Plans for the expansion of the program are currently underway and there is no shortage of volunteers willing to help,” Hildebrandt said.
“Veterans weren’t alone in the battlefield, so they should not be alone at the end of their life,” Harrell said.
Volunteers provide activities and companionship
Numerous volunteers have voiced their eagerness to spend time with those Veterans who lack companionship before reaching the end of their life.
“We have established a new companionship program allowing volunteers to engage with Veterans, build meaningful relationships and provide comfort before the end-of-life process has begun,” Acevedo said. “Dedicated volunteers provide books, games, puzzles and other activities to share with Veterans to help with fostering connection and moments of companionship.”
The program upholds our organization’s sacred promise, “by honoring Veterans in their final moments, being present with them and expressing our genuine compassion, we ensure that a gentle embrace of humanity accompanies them as they leave their incredible mark in our memories,” said Hospital Director Timothy J. Cooke. “We should all be just as hopeful that when our time comes, others will extend a similar hand of dignity and compassion.”
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I would like to express my gratitude to the volunteers and staff who support this program. As a veteran and healthcare provider, I am deeply moved and inspired by this initiative. Recognizing and celebrating a veteran’s unique service and experiences is critical in finding ways to honor them during their final days. With a growing population of veterans approaching this chapter of their lives, I hope this program can expand across the VA system.
I only wish I knew about this program when my brother was hospitalized and passing away from brain cancer. He passed on 6/2/23 with family surrounding him but at night he was all by himself. I am also an Army Veteran like my brother was. Only I served in the Vietnam Era. Bless you all for this service you provide!
Hello all, I’d like thank you all for finding the desire to volunteer for this purpose. Here is some direction to serve in this capacity. Step one: identify your local VA Development and Civic Engagement coordinator, formerly known as the volunteer services coordinator. As an active volunteer for NOVDA, here is what you should expect during the vetting process that will/should include: background and fingerprint check in order to receive a VA issued ID, and an orientation session. Lastly, it is required to be vaccinated for COVID due to the close proximity of sitting in VA community centers with other VA patients.
I’d recommend starting there if a program is active. Many of these programs ended or placed indefinitely on hold due to COVID.
Fraternally yours.
What a wonderful program! We offer in-home hospice services to the veterans in the Houston and DFW areas of Texas and would like to know more about this program for those veterans we service that may need the support. Please contact me.
I volunteered for the Let no veteran die alone program here, several years ago and the warm feeling you get just knowing you are sitting with a hero, who sacifriced everything to serve his country. It to me is a great honor. I will continue to do so until it is my time. I am a veteran and Iam 82 years old.
I think whomever thought of this should be commended. It sounds like a great program.
Hello.
My name is Eric Johnson and I’d like to help the Vets before passing.
Can you contact me?
How do I volunteer for this program?
Have never heard of this companionship program. Good to know. I’m 91 and would like more information.
I live in Daytona Beach
I’m in! Where do I go? Who do I contact? Scheduled dates for training? When can I start?
Currently volunteering at my local hospital (11+years ) with the NODA (No One Dies Alone) team.
Is there a group in central Texas???
Good idea! What about us…surviving spouses???????? We too are alone and need companionship at the end of our lives. Families are too far away or we are too far and too disabled to travel. Someone needs to help. Cancer patients who helped our guys in their time of need. Married 49 years even thro his agent orange cancer and his 32 year career with two tours to Vietnam! Blessings to all
I am a 77year old two tour disabled Vietnam vet, and I would like to help. I just lost my war brother, and could not be with him when he died at his home. Thanks!
I all my searching I could not find a place to sign up for the last 72 hours of life program
I enjoyed this article immensely. It reminded me of an experience I had in the MD prison system. With the warden’s permission I created a hospice for an influx of aging inmates. I was able to staff it with fellow suicide observation aides. Together we helped shepherd over 100 dying inmates. These men died of various illnesses and diseases–all alone with the exception of an observation aide watching over them. Throughout the dying experience, where the men may have lived for a month or two in the infirmary we provided around the clock care. Each aide worked 4 hours a day. We would read, write letters to loved ones who seldom if ever came to visit. We would listen to men tell their stories and weep with regret. Then we would tenderly wipe away tears and let them know, “You are not alone. We are with you. We are your family.” Not one of these men died alone. Even to this day, I still feel the “Empathetic Bridge,” that a group of inmates provided to so many men who regretted their life chocies.
My comment is this, families should be allowed to be with their loved ones during any hospital stay, surgery, or critical illness. Many a family bring them home under Hospice, and some might live longer and more comfortably with family. I fought to stay 24/7 with my husband’s last admission and won, despite being harassed and humiliated, and I asked his Dr. if in the hospital again may I stay, he said yes but hospitals use their power to override the needs and wants of patients. Many elderly get so confused they never recover and this in some cases can be prevented with the ability to stay tethered to their loved one. A good service that no Vet dies alone a volunteer can be there, if that’s the case so should family be allowed. I am sickened by those who died alone during COVID-19, so unnecessary. Please find a way. Vets and others are often abused, mistakes made, etc., because family is not allowed to remain. Multiple excuses, the reality, is they don’t want you to see an error or prevent abuse, but have seen it, and had it done. I know.
Why would we nee someone in the last 72 hours? What about years earlier when we needed caregiving services and because the requirement is NOT to be able to wipe our private area, NOT being able to eat, NOT being able to leave home we did not qualify. Without asking dare to guess that for even those 72 hrs company would require 72 different people to alert the system, and 72 months waiting period.
How thoughtful, grateful and thankful! Exceptionally well done to give to a Human Being, Stranger that you don’t know ?. Their heart is in the right place.
How to you volunteer to serve on this new companionship program.
That’s what I’d like to know!!!
Doesn’t show how to apply
Also the presence of a devoted and loving pet in someone’s final moments is of great comfort!