Why veterans deserve a voice in end-of-life care
I chair the Veteran Advisory Committee at Lily Hospice, a Medicare-certified hospice serving Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties in Michigan. Our first meeting is this October. Here's why I said yes.
Update, October 7, 2026: the committee held its first meeting today, with Evan as chair. Read the announcement.
Service shapes the end of life, too
Veterans often carry their service with them to the very end: the pride, the friendships, and sometimes the hard memories. Care teams do better work when they understand that, and when they know how to connect families to the benefits and recognition veterans have earned.
An advisory committee keeps it practical
The committee's job is to bring veterans and people who serve them into the room, so the hospice hears directly what matters to veterans and their families and turns it into better everyday care.
What families can do now
- Tell the care team the person served, and when. It changes how they can help.
- Ask about VA benefits. VA covers hospice care for enrolled veterans, and a county veterans service officer can help with benefits for the family at no cost.
- If the veteran would want it, ask about recognition. Many hospices and veterans groups honor veterans at the bedside.
Through VETTED, I work with veterans and their families at home every day. The Veteran Advisory Committee is one more way to make sure veterans are cared for the way they cared for us.