Women Veterans – served since the beginning of our nation’s founding and are often overlooked. Recent reports indicate 2.0 million living Veterans are women, they’re the fastest growing group in the Veteran population. We have gathered resources and information so you may meet the needs of Women Veterans while they are in hospice and palliative care.
“Providing gender-sensitive care to women Veterans throughout their lives is critical to meeting their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. In addition, women Veterans often face unique challenges, including a higher risk of sexual assault and harassment during military service, which can leave lasting physical and emotional scars”.
Dr. Qwynn A. Galloway-Salazar, US Army Veteran
Serving the Unique Needs of Women Veterans
During the intake process using the Military Health History Checklist will help you identify women Veterans.
Staff and caregivers can use Department of Veteran Affairs & We Honor Veterans presentations and webinars to stay educated on how to serve women Veterans at the end-of-life.
- Female Veteran Use of Palliative and Hospice Care: A Scoping Review. This journal article from Military Medicine provides an overview of evidence based research on female Veterans using hospice and palliative care.
- Analysis of Palliative Care Knowledge and Symptom Burden Among Female Veterans With Serious Illness: A Cross-Sectional Study. This journal article from Sage Journals, American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, provides an overview of the female Veteran population’s knowledge of Palliative care and symptom burden.
- Military Sexual Trauma VA Resources to share with families and staff.
- Center for Women Veterans (CWV) Research for Women Veterans
- Mental Health Resources for Women Resource Video:
If you know of women Veteran in need of mental health services related to PTSD or other mental health conditions linked to service (including conditions related to an experience of military sexual harassment, assault or rape) they may qualify for VA health benefits right away, even without a VA Character of Discharge review or a discharge upgrade. If they have a less than honorable discharge you may be eligible for a discharge upgrade. Learn more.
VA Resource Support for Women
- Women Veterans Call Center: 855-VA-WOMEN
- Veteran Crisis Hotline: 988 (press 1)
- Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274
- VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000
- VA Center for Women Veterans (CWV)
Honoring Women Veterans Who Are Receiving Hospice and Palliative Care
Hospice staff may provide the last opportunity for women Veterans to feel that their service was not in vain, and that they are appreciated. Simple acts of gratitude at the end-of-life can make up for a lack of appreciation or recognition during the Veteran’s lifetime, especially for those women Veterans who were never welcomed home or thanked for their service. Learn how you can honor the women Veterans in your care.
