St. Francis Reflections Honors Veterans, 45 Years of Compassionate Care

A veterans care room at St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care.

St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care has over 45 years of experience providing hospice and palliative care in Brevard County. As they celebrate their sapphire 45th anniversary of serving the community with compassion, commitment to excellence, and kindness, St. Francis Reflections pledges to continue their mission of serving patients and their families during the most delicate and trying times of their lives. 

According to Elana Pitcher, manager of business development, “St. Francis Reflections is here to stay. We will continue to provide care for another 45 years, helping patients and their families in any way we can.” 

With coverage along all 72 miles of Brevard County, St. Francis provides hospice care in patients’ homes, in assisted living facilities, and in local hospitals.

As St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care considers both Hospice and Palliative Care month (November) and Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11) important times of recognition, they celebrate them with pride and gratitude. With a commitment to excellence, integrity, and stewardship, St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care pledges to continue to provide the best hospice and palliative care services for the community.

Honoring Veterans

St. Francis Reflections has a special program that recognizes and honors the contributions of veterans, given the considerable number of veterans who call Brevard home. The We Honor Veterans program works in partnership with local organizations to honor their veteran patients. Chandler Langevin, a combat medic for the Marine Infantry who served overseas in Afghanistan and the Pacific, coordinates the program. An essential component of the program is the Veteran Cafes held monthly at assisted living communities throughout the county, where veterans get together to talk and maintain bonds with fellow veterans.

When veterans are enrolled in St. Francis Reflections’ service, they are asked if they would like to receive a pinning ceremony. A veteran volunteer conducts an interview with the patient and/or the family, collecting information on their service history. A pinning ceremony is then arranged, where the veteran and their family members are presented with a flag that had flown over the nation's capital, a personal certificate, a pin, and a handmade quilt, as a token of appreciation for their service.

St. Francis Reflections is organizing the DASH 5K on Nov. 11 to raise funds for the We Honor Veterans program. The event, which starts at 7:30 am at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, is an acronym for dedication, admiration, service, and honor.

What Matters Most

The interdisciplinary team at St. Francis Reflections plays a pivotal role in providing exceptional patient care. Comprised of doctors, nurse practitioners, home health aides, chaplains, and social workers, they work cohesively to cater to the needs of patients and their families.

St. Francis Reflections’ What Matters Most program is a unique initiative that seeks to understand and fulfill each patient’s individual hospice journey requests. The staff and volunteers are dedicated to going above and beyond to fulfill these wishes. For instance, a patient expressed her desire to dip her toes in the sand and ocean water. With the help of the St. Francis Reflections Foundation, a beach wheelchair was purchased and the clinical team was able to share the experience with the patient. 

Throughout the month of November, St. Francis Reflections will honor and recognize such compassionate acts and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of its staff, volunteers and donors. Working in hospice is undoubtedly a calling, and they are the heart of this organization.

Connect

St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care
1250-B Grumman Place, Titusville
866-269-4240
Reflectionslsc.org
hosf@reflectionslsc.org
Facebook: /stfrancisreflections

Services:

• Hospice care
• Palliative care
• Pediatric palliative care
• Grief support for adults and children
• Advance-care planning
• Caring for patients’ pets
• Veterans care

From the Archives

6/1/23: St. Francis Reflections Celebrates 45 Years of Comfort Care
12/1/21: Heartbeat of Brevard: St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care
9/1/21: St. Francis Reflections: Teaming with Families to Dignify End-of-Life Care