If your loved one served in the military and is now facing a serious illness, you want a care plan that honors their service and keeps them comfortable at home. This family friendly guide explains how veterans hospice care works, how to coordinate with the VA, which benefits may help, and the meaningful ways we recognize a veteran’s life through ceremonies and tributes. It is written for families in Burbank, Los Angeles County, and nearby communities.
What Makes Veterans Hospice Care Different

Veterans have unique medical and emotional needs that come from their service. Some live with chronic pain, traumatic memories, or exposure related conditions. Others simply want their service seen and honored. Good hospice care adapts to those needs with:
- A plan that prioritizes comfort and dignity
- Clinicians trained in trauma-informed approaches
- Respectful ceremonies that acknowledge service and branch
- Practical support navigating VA benefits and paperwork
The goal is always the same. Keep your loved one comfortable, reduce stress for family, and honor the values they lived by.
How Hospice and The VA Can Work Together
You can receive hospice through a local hospice agency while also using VA benefits when eligible. Your hospice team coordinates with VA providers so care is smooth and consistent.
Typical coordination steps
- Confirm VA enrollment and service connection status.
- Identify any VA assigned primary care or specialty teams.
- Share goals of care and current medications so everyone is aligned.
- Determine which services and supplies are covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, private insurance, or the VA.
- Keep a clear communication plan between you, your hospice nurse, and any VA clinicians.
For a trusted overview of VA support at end of life, see VA Hospice and Palliative Care.
Benefits That May Help Your Veteran
Every situation is different. Your social worker can help you review eligibility and connect with the right offices. Families often ask about the following:
- Coverage for hospice services: Many veterans use Medicare for hospice. Some services may be supported by the VA based on clinical needs and eligibility.
- Medications and equipment: Hospice typically provides comfort medications and necessary equipment such as a hospital bed, oxygen, or commode. VA coverage may assist when needs are related to a service connected condition.
- Caregiver support: The VA and local community programs may offer education and resources that reduce caregiver strain.
- Burial honors and memorial benefits: You can request military funeral honors, a burial flag, and other tributes. Planning this gently and early can reduce stress and ensure every detail is honored.
If you prefer, we can sit with you on a call and help organize which benefits to pursue now and which to note for later.
Ceremonies and Tributes That Honor Service
Moments of recognition can be deeply meaningful for veterans and families. These are shaped by your preferences, faith, and culture.
Ceremony ideas we can help coordinate
- Pinning ceremony: A simple gathering where your loved one is thanked for their service, given a branch specific pin, and honored with a certificate.
- Flag presentation: A folded United States flag presented to the veteran or family with words of gratitude.
- Branch recognition: Music, poems, or readings tied to Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard traditions.
- Life review and keepsakes: Guided storytelling, recorded messages, or photo projects that capture memories to pass on.
- Moments of silence: Quiet time with family after a death, with assistance contacting military honor teams when desired.
You choose what fits. Some veterans prefer a private thank you at the bedside. Others want family and friends present with music and prayer. We will follow your lead.
Trauma-informed, Compassionate Care
Military experiences can resurface near the end of life. Loud noises, certain smells, or even sleep may trigger distress. Your team uses gentle, trauma informed approaches so care feels safe.
How we support comfort and safety
- Ask permission before touching or moving
- Explain each step during bathing or wound care
- Use calming routines and familiar voices
- Offer chaplain support that respects beliefs and background
- Adjust the plan quickly if anxiety or nightmares appear
If your loved one lives with PTSD or moral injury, hospice can still bring relief. Care focuses on comfort, trust, and choice.
A Week in the Life of a Veteran on Hospice
Day 1 to 2: Admission and settling in
A nurse reviews comfort goals and adjusts medications. Equipment such as a hospital bed or oxygen is arranged. You receive the on call number and a simple safety plan for nights and weekends.
Day 3 to 5: Building a rhythm
Regular visits begin from the nurse, hospice aide, social worker, and chaplain. If you wish, we schedule a pinning ceremony and invite family. The social worker confirms VA contacts and benefits to explore.
Day 6 to 7: Support for caregivers
You learn simple techniques for positioning, preventing skin changes, and easing breathlessness or anxiety. If fatigue rises, we discuss Respite Care for a short break or Continuous Home Care if symptoms spike and extra help at home is needed.
To learn about all four levels of hospice care, see Levels of Care.
Common Questions From Military Families
- Can we keep our loved one at home?
Yes, most hospice care happens at home or in the place your loved one lives. If symptoms become difficult, the level of care can change for short periods to keep comfort steady. - Will our VA doctors still be involved?
They can be. We coordinate with VA clinicians when you want that collaboration. The goal is one united plan based on your veteran’s wishes. - Can we still receive military honors if we choose hospice?
Yes. Hospice does not affect your ability to request honors. Planning ahead helps ensure details are in place when needed. - What if my loved one has trauma symptoms?
We use calm, trauma informed approaches and adjust the care environment to reduce triggers. Your team can also coordinate with VA mental health resources if you request it. - How do we get equipment quickly?
Your nurse orders what is needed at admission. Common items such as a hospital bed or commode can often be delivered quickly. We show you how to use each item safely.
Checklist for Families of Veterans
- Locate the DD214 or other proof of service if available
- Make a short list of top goals such as staying at home, sleeping better, or seeing certain people
- Choose a quiet room with space for a hospital bed if ordered
- Post the hospice on call number in a visible place
- Decide who will speak with the nurse about updates
- Share any service related experiences that may affect care today
How We Support Spouses and Families
The end of life affects the whole family. You may feel proud, sad, tired, and grateful all at once. Your team creates space for each person’s feelings and offers practical help.
Support you can expect
- Gentle guidance on what to expect physically and emotionally
- Teaching for safe care at home
- Help navigating conversations with children or grandchildren
- Grief and bereavement support after a death, offered for over a year
Local Coordination in Los Angeles County
We admit seven days a week when eligibility is confirmed and work closely with hospitals and VA points of contact in Los Angeles County. We can help with equipment delivery, pharmacy coordination, and ceremony planning across Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Long Beach, and surrounding communities.
For an overview of day to day hospice services, visit Hospice Care Services. If you want to talk through options, you can reach us directly on the phone.
Veterans Hospice Care in Los Angeles County: Talk With Us Today
If your loved one served and now needs veterans hospice care in Burbank, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Glendale, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, or nearby areas in Orange, Ventura, Riverside, or Kern counties, we are here to help. Call (818) 748-3427 to speak with a caring professional who will listen, explain benefits and ceremonies, coordinate with the VA, and build a plan that honors your veteran’s life.





