For those who have served in the military, life is shaped by a unique culture built on values like honor, duty, and respect. This culture doesn’t fade when the uniform comes off; it continues to influence how veterans interact with the world, including how they approach healthcare. Understanding this background is not just helpful—it is essential for providing compassionate and effective end-of-life care that truly honors their service.
The transition from military to civilian life can be complex, and healthcare settings can sometimes feel like foreign territory. By recognizing and respecting the communication preferences forged through military experience, we can build trust, ensure dignity, and provide comfort that aligns with a veteran’s core identity. This article explores the key aspects of military culture that shape end-of-life care conversations and how to create a supportive environment for our nation’s heroes.
Core Military Values: The Foundation of Trust
The military operates on a foundation of deeply ingrained values. Honor, duty, and respect are not just words; they are a code of conduct that governs every action. In a healthcare context, these values translate directly into a veteran’s expectations. They expect to be treated with respect, and they will show that same respect to their care team. They see facing their health challenges as a duty, and they approach it with a sense of personal honor.
For providers and families, acknowledging this is the first step. It means understanding that a veteran’s stoicism may not be denial, but a reflection of their training to endure hardship without complaint. Building trust requires recognizing their strength while creating a safe space for them to be vulnerable.
A Preference for Straightforward and Honest Communication
Military communication is, by necessity, direct, clear, and unambiguous. Orders are given and received with the understanding that clarity saves lives. This preference for straightforward talk carries over into healthcare. Many veterans prefer their doctors and nurses to be honest about their prognosis, treatment options, and the realities of their condition.
Sugarcoating information or using vague language can feel disrespectful and create mistrust. Veterans often want the facts so they can prepare for the “mission” ahead. This requires active listening and practical communication skills from the care team to deliver difficult news with both honesty and compassion. The goal is to inform, not to alarm, empowering the veteran with the information they need to make decisions.
The Mission-Oriented Mindset: Framing Comfort Care Goals
In the military, every action is part of a larger mission with clear objectives. Veterans often apply this mission-oriented mindset to all aspects of life, including their health. When discussing hospice or palliative care, framing the conversation around goals can be incredibly effective. Instead of focusing on loss, the focus shifts to a new mission: achieving the best possible quality of life for the time that remains.
This mission might include goals like managing pain to be present for a grandchild’s birthday, sharing important stories with family, or finding peace and closure. By defining these objectives, the care plan becomes a strategy for success, which can feel familiar and empowering for someone accustomed to structured, goal-oriented work.
Maintaining Control and Autonomy in Care Decisions
While military life involves following a chain of command, it also instills a high degree of personal responsibility and autonomy over one’s duties. This translates into a strong desire for veterans to remain in control of their own lives and decisions for as long as possible. They need to be active participants in their care planning, not passive recipients.
It’s crucial to explain the “why” behind every recommendation and to present options clearly. Unfortunately, some studies show that veterans may not fully understand the difference between palliative care and hospice, which can create barriers. Clear education that emphasizes how these services enhance control over comfort and quality of life is essential.
Creating a Safe and Respectful Care Environment
For care to be effective, the environment must feel safe—physically, emotionally, and culturally. This involves more than just providing medical services; it means creating a space where a veteran’s service is seen and honored. Programs like the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s We Honor Veterans initiative help providers develop this kind of culturally competent care.
Facilitating culture-centered communication is at the heart of this work. It involves asking about their service, understanding how it might relate to their health conditions, and connecting them with resources like those offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sometimes, simply saying “thank you for your service” can open the door to a more trusting relationship.
Honoring a veteran at the end of life means seeing the whole person—their past, their values, and their unique way of communicating. By embracing their culture of honor, duty, and directness, we can provide care that is not only medically sound but also deeply respectful of the life they have lived and the service they have given.
For veterans and military families seeking hospice care that honors service and understands military culture, our compassionate team is here to help. To learn more about creating a care plan that respects your values and goals, call ViaQuest Hospice at 855.289.1722.
You can also download our Complete Guide to Hospice Care for comprehensive information about the services and support available.
Key Takeaways
- Veterans often prefer direct, honest, and clear communication about their health, reflecting their military training.
- Framing end-of-life care around a “mission” with clear goals can align with a veteran’s mindset and empower them in their care.
- Respecting military values like honor, duty, and the desire for autonomy is fundamental to building trust and providing dignified care.
