Veterans hospice care is about more than medical comfort. It can also mean recognizing military service, listening to personal stories, and honoring a loved one’s life while they can still participate. For many families, meaningful stories about military service remain untold until a loved one is nearing the end of life.
On Thriving to the Finish Line, Shannon Miller of The Miller Elder Law Firm welcomed Michael Maloney, a combat veteran and Haven Hospice volunteer coordinator, and Jodie Goodman, Haven’s executive director of business development, for a conversation about veterans hospice care, recognition ceremonies, caregiver support, and preserving family legacies in Gainesville and North Central Florida.
Watch the Conversation: Every Veteran Deserves This
Watch the full conversation with Michael Maloney and Jodie Goodman on YouTube.
How Veterans Hospice Care Honors Military Service
For Michael Maloney, recognizing veterans is personal. As a combat veteran, he once associated death primarily with his battlefield experiences. His work at Haven introduced him to a different perspective: helping people experience their final chapter with dignity, peace, and family connection.
Through Haven’s We Honor Veterans program, Michael helps organize personalized ceremonies for veterans receiving hospice care. He speaks with the veteran and family, gathers details about their military service, and crafts a story that reflects the person behind the uniform. Families may help place a flag blanket, present commemorative pins, and participate in a salute.
Jodie explained that these ceremonies are not limited to a patient’s final hours; veterans at different stages of hospice care may be recognized. That matters because honoring someone while they can still participate offers something a memorial service cannot.
A Final Salute Between Brothers
Michael shared a deeply moving account of a Vietnam-era Army Special Forces veteran and Purple Heart recipient. The veteran’s brother, also a Vietnam veteran, joined Michael in placing a flag blanket over his brother and offering a military salute. Their shared gesture honored a lifetime of service, brotherhood, and love.
Michael also described honoring a woman World War II veteran who had recently turned 103. Her recognition celebrated both her service and the remarkable century of history she had witnessed. The stories remind us that veterans’ experiences are diverse and every life deserves recognition.
Why Storytelling Matters for Veterans and Their Families
Some veterans, particularly those who experienced combat, rarely speak about their military experiences. Michael explained that listening without pressure can help create trust. His research sometimes includes the names of ships, aircraft, military units, and photographs that bring memories to life.
Family members often discover details they never knew. These conversations can bridge generations and help loved ones see the person beyond an illness or care need.
Legacy-building extends beyond military service. Jodie described Haven’s storytelling, photography, and genealogy efforts, which help families preserve their histories. Shannon encouraged listeners not to wait until a funeral to acknowledge the gifts someone has brought into the world.
Veterans Hospice Care vs. Palliative Care: What Families Should Know
Palliative care focuses on symptom relief and quality of life for people living with serious illness, and it may accompany other medical treatments. Hospice care focuses on comfort and support near the end of life for people who meet applicable eligibility requirements.
Jodie emphasized individualized care and meeting patients where they are. Depending on circumstances, hospice care may be provided at home, in a residential setting, or at a dedicated care center. Haven serves communities across North Central and Northeast Florida, including the Gainesville area.
For additional background, see the firm’s related article on end-of-life planning, hospice, and quality of life.
VA Benefits Veterans and Families May Not Know About
During the episode, Shannon noted that some veterans may be unaware of potential support through VA Aid and Attendance or service-connected disability compensation. These are distinct programs with different eligibility rules.
Aid and Attendance may increase a qualifying VA pension for eligible veterans or survivors who meet care-related criteria. Disability compensation may be available for qualifying conditions connected to military service. Neither benefit is automatic, and receiving VA healthcare does not itself establish eligibility.
Families should review their circumstances with the VA or a properly accredited benefits representative. When long-term care expenses are involved, coordinated legal and financial planning may also help clarify options.
Caregiver Support and Respite During Veterans Hospice Care
Family caregiving can be exhausting, especially when someone needs around-the-clock attention. Jodie discussed inpatient hospice respite care, which may offer eligible caregivers a temporary break. Under the Medicare hospice benefit, inpatient respite care may be covered for up to five consecutive days at a time on an occasional basis, subject to applicable requirements.
Michael also described volunteers providing companionship so caregivers can attend to errands or personal needs. These volunteers can be an important part of veterans hospice care, offering connection for patients and breathing room for families. Asking for help is part of sustaining care, not a failure of commitment.
Veterans Cafés, Volunteers, and Community Connection
Haven’s veterans cafés bring veterans together for conversation and connection, including veterans who are not receiving hospice services. Michael described how participants sometimes discover that neighbors or acquaintances also served in the military.
He also highlighted the involvement of University of Florida student volunteers, who help connect younger generations with the experiences of older veterans. Haven welcomes community support through volunteering and donations, including support for its veteran recognition activities.
To learn more about services, volunteering, or giving, visit Haven Hospice.
Planning Ahead for Veterans and Aging Loved Ones in Florida
Compassionate end-of-life care is only one part of preparing for the future. Families may also need to address healthcare decision-making, powers of attorney, estate documents, long-term care expenses, and coordination of available public benefits.
At The Miller Elder Law Firm, we help Gainesville and North Central Florida families understand their legal planning options, including estate planning, life care planning, Medicaid planning, and asset protection. Veterans and their families may face additional considerations when coordinating VA benefits with long-term care planning.
Starting conversations early can give loved ones more opportunity to express their wishes, preserve their stories, and participate in decisions about their future. Veterans hospice care and thoughtful legal planning serve different needs, but both can help families focus on dignity, choice, and connection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Veterans Hospice Care
Can a veteran receive hospice care at home?
Yes. When appropriate and available, hospice care can be provided wherever a patient calls home, including a private residence or residential care community.
Do veterans have to be actively dying to receive a recognition ceremony?
According to Jodie Goodman, Haven’s veteran recognition ceremonies can take place at different stages of hospice care, not only during the final hours.
Is hospice the same as palliative care?
No. Both focus on comfort and quality of life, but palliative care may accompany treatment at many stages of serious illness, while hospice has specific end-of-life eligibility and care requirements.
What benefits might older veterans qualify for?
Depending on their circumstances, some veterans may qualify for VA pension-related Aid and Attendance or service-connected disability compensation. Eligibility must be evaluated individually.
How can families preserve a veteran’s legacy?
Invite them to share memories if they wish, record their stories with permission, identify photographs and service mementos, and ask about local recognition or legacy-building programs.
Listen, Remember, and Plan with Purpose
Michael and Jodie’s conversation offers an important reminder: we do not have to wait until someone is gone to celebrate who they are. We can listen now, recognize their contributions now, and help families prepare with compassion.
Watch the full episode of Thriving to the Finish Line. For questions about elder law and planning for aging loved ones, contact The Miller Elder Law Firm.
Educational information only; not legal, medical, Medicare, or VA benefits advice. Eligibility and available services depend on individual circumstances and program rules.