Veterans and their families in need of care and assistance now have more options available to them throughout the community.

Lakeside Hospice is partnering with MAPS to offer programs in an effort to bring awareness to their needs, which are often overlooked in so many areas of the country.

“As we turn on the TV each morning to hear four more Americans killed in Afghanistan, six injured from a suicide bomber, IED’s, rioting, hatred to Americans and so much more that we do not even hear about, we listen and walk away to our own world and do nothing.  Lakeside is taking a stand to do something,” Teresa Carden, Mission Coordinator at Lakeside Hospice said.

Lakeside Hospice provides opportunities to educate county communities about issues veterans and their families face daily like signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.

“By educating them, hopefully we can make a difference in how our society looks upon a hero for our country,” Carden said.

Carden said citizens in the U.S. fail to give veterans credit for their dedication to protecting freedom.

“Instead of praising them, thanking them and asking if we can help them, we glare at them and act as if they are plagued.  Yes, they may act different when they return home, dress different, look different. Wouldn’t you if you had been through what so many of them have?  

“We have to be able to put ourselves in a man’s position as much as possible before we can even start to understand and still it is no comparison unless you have lived it.  This is in all phases of our lives.  At our groups we have the people that have lived it and want to help others learn to deal with these traumatic experiences.”

Lakeside Hospice is hosting numerous conferences and support groups to salute veterans and asking the community to pull together by attending events.

 “We are asking people to take a stand to make a difference in the lives of veterans when they return to us or if they are already here,” Carden said.

Events include the free support group at Eden Westside Cornerstone Café for Veterans.  Meetings begin with fellowship at 10 a.m. and free lunch at 11:30 a.m.  Meetings are the first and third Thursday of every month. Lunch will be provided the first meeting of every month.  

A spouse of Veterans group has branched off to meet on the fourth Thursday of every month, also at Eden Westside. Childcare is provided at no cost.  

Lakeside Hospice will also have people available to assist with applying for benefits, private counseling, and other needs and hosting a special grief meeting for survivors of veterans and military persons in November.

 “Our next hurdle is reaching the community that needs us the most, the veterans, military persons and their families, so your next step is to reach out and bring a veteran, military person or their family member to meet with us,” Carden said.  “Offer them a ride, some companionship and most of all your love and gratitude for their sacrifice.”

Lakeside Hospice will host the first Survivor of Veterans Lunch November 7, at the Pell City Steak House in the back room, at noon. Attendees will pay for their own meals.  Survivor Benefit Specialist Carla Ellis, MPSC, with Army National Guard, will be available and speak briefly on grief in a survivor that has lost a loved one that was a veteran.  

Lakeside Hospice, MAPS and other community leaders have been working at a state level to provide services for veterans and their families by attending a symposium sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Policy Academy. Topics to be discussed included suicide rates, how families deal with soldiers returning home and how to maintain the well-being of a soldier returning from the field.

On November 9 Lakeside will also be presenting a Flag Ceremony at Lakeside, beginning at 10 a.m.  Flags are available for purchase in memory or honor of your loved one.  If you wish more information, contact Tracy Whitten at 205-884-1111.

Carden said there other programs in the works yet to be announced.