A Home-Based Palliative Care Consult Service for Veterans.

We describe the development and implementation of a home-based palliative care consult service for Veterans with advanced illness. A retrospective chart review was performed on 73 Veterans who received a home-based palliative care consult. Nearly one-third were 80 years of age or older, and nearly one-third had a palliative diagnosis of cancer. The most common interventions of the consult team included discussion of advance directives, completion of a "do not resuscitate" form, reduction/stoppage of at least 1 medication, explanation of diagnosis, referral to home-based primary care program, referral to hospice, and assessment/support for caregiver stress. The home-based consult service was therefore able to address clinical and psychosocial issues that can demonstrate a direct benefit to Veterans, families, and referring clinicians.

Providing support through life's final chapter for those who made it home.

Military personnel are exposed to unique environmental hazards and psychological stressors during their service to our nation. As a result, military service personnel are at high risk not only for physical injury but for psychological trauma as well that may result in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse, and homelessness. These medical and psychosocial issues may hasten the development of life-limiting illnesses and may complicate the delivery of end-of-life care. Community-based hospice agencies often lack the resources and expertise to address the special needs of veterans. This article highlights the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide comprehensive and co-ordinated end-of-life support for "those who served."