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Gaylord, Michigan, November 17, 2014 – Hospice of Michigan, the largest non-profit hospice and palliative care organization in Michigan, is seeking volunteers in Northern Michigan to help support patient care, office administration and a variety other programs.

Volunteers are an integral, yet often invisible about part of a hospice team. Caregiving for a terminally ill loved one can be exhausting for family and friends, and a volunteer can provide opportunities to get away for a needed break.

“If you have a few hours to spare every week, you can make a real difference in someone’s life,” said Kathy Lietaert, volunteer program manager for Hospice of Michigan. “Making a cup of tea or reading the newspaper to someone struggling with illness not only adds normalcy to their day, it gives caregivers much-needed relief and the personal time they need.”

Lietaert explains that the opportunities for an HOM volunteer are virtually limitless. Some of the ongoing volunteer needs include:

• Companionship visits and caregiver relief
• Bedside vigils to ensure that patients in their final hours will not die alone
• Care by professional massage therapists, hair stylists and manicurists
• Specialty programs, such as pet, music and aroma therapy
• Seamstresses, crafters and scrappers who can assist in making memory bears from the clothing of a lost loved one, creating birthday or other special occasion cards or leading other hands-on projects
• Veterans who can reach out to their fellow servicemen and women through the We Honor Veterans program, which is designed to address the unique needs of military personnel at the end of life
• Baking and delivering cakes and cookies to celebrate special occasions
• MyStories Program™ where volunteers record special stories told by the patient

Prospective volunteers will be asked to go through a training course where they learn more about HOM, the principles of hospice, the grieving process and how to help patients, families and staff.

“The best volunteers have a passion for helping others,” Lietaert explained. “They are dedicated, compassionate, non-judgmental and flexible. They may or may not have a specific skill to share, but they have the time and the willingness to make a difference in the life of a patient and family.

“At some point or other, everyone who volunteers will ultimately get something out of the experience.

If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities for Hospice of Michigan or sign up as a volunteer, visit https://www.hom.org/?page_id=1239. You can also contact Lietaert (231.929.1886, klietaer@hom.org) or Amanda Fleming (989.705.2604, afleming@hom.org) for additional information.

For those who have experienced a loss, HOM encourages a waiting period of one year before becoming a volunteer in order to allow for the processing of grief.

About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The non-profit cares for more than 1,700 patients each day, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community- based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.

Detroit, November 4, 2014 – A three-year study of patients and caregivers coping with advanced illness found that utilizing At Home Support™ services significantly reduces health care costs while improving outcomes.

Published in the October issue of American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, the peer reviewed study conducted by Wayne State University and Hospice of Michigan found that patients enrolled in a trial of At Home Support reported:

• An average decline in monthly spending on outpatient and inpatient health services of 36.8 percent
• A decrease in hospitalization rates of 34.9 percent
• A decrease in length of hospitalization stay of 24.6 percent
• Total cost savings of 44.0 percent

The study examined 148 chronically ill patients with advanced cancer, congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during a period from 2007 to 2011. Ongoing Hospice of Michigan research of At Home Support patients from the end of the study through today demonstrates similar cost savings.

“We are very gratified by the publication of this article, which affirms the significant reduction in expense achieved with At Home Support,” said Dr. Michael Paletta, co-author of the study and executive director of the Hospice of Michigan Institute, which developed the program. “Patients suffering from chronic illness often find themselves thrust into a ‘care gap’ that requires them to make difficult choices. Not yet ill enough to qualify for hospice benefits yet in need of assistance to manage their disease, patients and their families find few options that offer real answers.

“At Home Support works to fill that gap by taking an interdisciplinary approach to providing curative treatment in combination with comfort care. Patients and their families report better outcomes, lower costs and increased satisfaction with our proprietary program.”

First piloted in 2007, At Home Support now serves more than 550 patients daily throughout the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Ohio. In order to improve functional and clinical outcomes, At Home Support program focuses on key components of the care continuum that include interdisciplinary collaborations, chronic disease management, decision making support, caregiver support and individualized care.

• Interdisciplinary collaborations involve teams of nurses, counselors, personal care assistants and volunteers. The teams develop treatment plans that focus on pain and symptom management, disease process education and goals-of-care. By organizing shared knowledge among the healthcare team, the patient is able to avoid unnecessary duplication of work, testing or treatment and harmful interactions that may result.
• Chronic disease management provided by At Home Support teams includes assistance with activities that are necessary for quality of life. The activities and assistance vary based on each patient’s individual needs, but may include help bathing, dressing, preparing meals, eating, shopping and navigating transportation.
• Decision making support is provided to keep the patient’s medical condition and the patient’s personal values and priorities at the forefront when determining care. Sometimes health care surrogates –caregivers who hold a patient’s medical power of attorney – make decisions based on their own values and preferences, not those of the patient. At Home Support helps clarify the role and responsibilities of the surrogate so that they can be proper advocates for the patient’s expresses wishes.
• Caregiver support was found to be a key component of home-based palliative care intervention. Primary family caregivers can become exhausted from the daily grind of care giving and crisis trips to the doctor’s office and emergency room, to the point of almost welcoming a hospitalization for respite. Following the At Home Support program model, staff prepares caregivers to communicate effectively with and advocate for the patient to health care providers and payers. Caregivers are also trained in home safety, proper delivery of medication and disease management.
• Individualized care is provided to a home-based palliative care patient depending on the patient’s condition, identified needs and trajectory of decline. Patients have the opportunity to discontinue services at any time. Although they are referred to hospice care when appropriate, patients and families who decide not to access these services may still receive palliative and comfort care from At Home Support staff who are trained in these types of end-of-life care.

In one sample, the recent study found average monthly outpatient costs declined from $6,322 to $2,849 and monthly numbers of outpatient services were reduced from 25.4 to 16. Additionally, home-based palliative care intervention patients monthly acute care hospital days declined from 7.65 to 5.77 when compared to traditional hospice patients.

“We see tremendous – and growing need – for programs like At Home Support, which provides care for families coping with a life-altering illness,” Paletta explained. “We have clinically demonstrated that At Home Support reduces the burden on family caregivers while reducing costs and improving quality of life.

“As we shared in the conclusion of the study, we have successfully challenged the perception that adding home-based services contributes to escalating health care costs. Our findings suggest that a preventative, home-based program that adds services and benefits can actually lower total health care costs.

“As the burdens of managing chronic conditions for patients and providing end-of-life care continue to shift to family caregivers, programs such as At Home Support will become increasingly necessary.”

For a copy of “Cost Analysis of a Novel Interdisciplinary Model for Advanced Illness Management, or more information about At Home Support, please call Michael Jasperson at 313.578.5023 or e-mail mjaspers@hom.org.

About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The non-profit cares for more than 1,400 patients each day in 56 counties across Michigan, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community-based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.

Canton, Michigan, November 4, 2014 – Hospice of Michigan will host a grief support program in Canton on Monday, Dec. 15.

The program, which will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Canton Senior Center, 4600 Summit Parkway, will feature a presentation from Ron Gries, author of “Through Death to Life.” Gries’ book is a collection of poetry and prose he wrote during his wife’s five year battle with cancer, which eventually took her life. During his presentation, Gries will reflect on his experience and discuss dying, living, grief, healing and hope.

The program is free and open to the community. Advance registration is required.

For more information or to register, please contact Margaret Martin at 734.769.5821 or mmartin@hom.org.

About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The non-profit cares for more than 1,700 patients each day, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community-based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.

Detroit, October 20, 2014 – Hospice of Michigan will honor veterans with a special series of pinning ceremonies throughout Michigan on and surrounding Veterans’ Day in November.

Veterans representing each of the military branches will be presented a certificate reflecting their branch of military service and an American flag pin honoring and thanking them for their military service. The pinning ceremonies may also include a special “Missing Man” ceremony honoring MIA/POW servicemen, candle-lighting ceremony honoring the sacrifice of family members of veterans, a rifle volley or a performance of “Taps.”

“Many military veterans have never been formally thanked for their service to our country,” said Dr. Michael Paletta, executive director of the Hospice of Michigan Institute. “Our pinning ceremonies not only provide well-deserved recognition for our veterans, but they also allow time to reflect on the sacrifices made by members of the military in an effort to preserve our freedom.”

HOM’s pinning ceremonies are open to the public, and media are welcome to attend.

Services will be held as follows:

• Tuesday, 21, in Muskegon at Clock’s Funeral Home, 1469 Peck St., from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Monday, 10, in Grand Rapids at Sheldon Apartments, 1010 Sheldon Ave. S.E., from 2:30-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, in Monroe at Frenchtown Senior Center, 2786 Vivian Road, from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, at American House Hazel Park, 777 E. Woodward Heights Blvd., from 10:30-12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, in Saginaw at Edgewood Assisted Living, 4850 Gratiot Road, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, at American House Charlevoix, 615 Petoskey Ave., from 12-1:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, in Alpena at Turning Brook Retirement Community, 300 Oxbow Drive, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, in Rochester Hills at American Stone House, 3741 South Adams Road, from 2-3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, at Tendercare Alpena, 301 Long Rapids Drive, from 2-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, at American House Petoskey, 2000 E Mitchell Road, from 2-3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, at Center Line Park Towers, 8033 E 10 Mile Road, from 1-3 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, in Sterling Heights at Sarah Care Adult Care Centers, 13425 19 Mile Road, from 1-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, 12, in Riverview at Belle Aire Assisted Living, 12621 Hale St., from 1:30- 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, 12, in Sterling Heights at Pine Ridge Hayes, 43707 Hayes Road, from 6-7 p.m.
• Friday, 14, in Grand Rapids at Sunrise of Cascade, 3041 Charlevoix Drive S.E., from 3:30-5 p.m.

Hospice of Michigan is a participant of the We Honor Veterans program, a partnership between the Veterans Administration and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, or NHPCO. The program was developed to enhance care for veterans at the end of life and includes both educational and ceremonial elements.

Participating hospices receive training to recognize and treat the unique issues facing military families, provide access to community resources, and facilitate cooperation between VA health agencies and hospice services. As a Level Four WHV partner, signifying the organization has met the highest standards set by the VA and NHPCO for this national program, HOM has trained its care teams in 56 counties across Michigan. Paletta, who is also a retired Colonel and flight surgeon, serves as the executive champion of We Honor Vets for Hospice of Michigan.

About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The non-profit cares for more than 1,700 patients each day, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community- based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.

Newaygo, Michigan, October 6, 2014 – Hospice of Michigan will present Children and Grief, a community-outreach program to assist adults with grieving children.

Designed for parents, grandparents and guardians, the Children and Grief program will provide information on children and grief based upon their developmental stage, suggestions on how to talk with a child about death and ways to support a grieving child. Practical handouts and professional resources will be provided.

The session will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Newaygo Center, 585 Fremont St., from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the community. Advance registration is required.

For more information or to register, please contact Tangela Zielinski at 231.796.7371 or tzielins@hom.org.

 About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The non-profit cares for more than 1,700 patients each day, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community-based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.

Detroit, October 3, 2014 – Hospice of Michigan will present a series of Coping with the Holidays events, a free community-outreach program that provides the bereaved with tips to deal with grief during a time when most are happy and expressing joy.

“Holidays can be extremely difficult for those suffering from grief, especially during the first year after the death,” said Karen Monts, director of grief support services at Hospice of Michigan. “While grief is a personal experience that takes place over time, gradually the bereaved begin to feel a new sense of purpose and they will learn to live with the loss and once again enjoy this special time of year.”

HOM’s Coping with the Holidays program teaches that the holidays may be challenging, but there are techniques to help handle grief and find comfort, such as:

• Planning Bereaved individuals who seem to have the most difficulty with the holidays are often those who have given little thought to the emotional challenges they will encounter.
• Accepting your Family and social pressures, in combination with decision- making challenges, can be overwhelming. Choose a few issues to deal with and limit the number of decisions you need to make so they won’t overwhelm you.
• Taking care of Exercise, eating a proper and balanced diet and getting the proper amount of rest is critical. Avoid the temptation of excessive alcohol.
• Lowering Go easy on yourself and try not to over-extend in order to reduce overall stress.

Events will be held:

• Wednesday, 22, in Grand Rapids at St. Paul the Apostle, 2750 Burton from 3:30- 4:30 p.m.
• Monday 3, at the HOM Alpena office, 112 W. Chisholm St., from 6-7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 4, at the HOM Bloomfield office, 43097 Woodward, from 6-7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 4, in Lowell at Gilda’s Club, 34 S. Hudson, from 6:15-7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, 5, at the HOM Cadillac office, 932 N. Mitchell St., from 1-3 p.m.
• Monday, 10, in Grand Rapids at Gilda’s Club, 1086 Bridge St., from 6-7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11, at Fife Lake Public Library, 77 Lakecrest Ave., from 2-3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, 12, at the HOM Ludington office, 5177 W. US 10, Ste. 2, from 1-2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, 13, at the HOM Muskegon office, 1930 E. Apple Ave., from 6-7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 18, at HOM’s Traverse City office, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy, Suite 1155, from 12-1:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 18, at the HOM Fremont office, 33 W. Main St., from 1-3 p.m.
• Tuesday, 18, in Wayne at New Hope Church, 33640 Michigan Ave., from 6:30-8 p.m.
• Wednesday, 19, in Ann Arbor at Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, from 6:30-8 p.m.
• Thursday, 20, in Clinton Township at the HOM Macomb office, 44720 Hayes, from 1:30-3 p.m.
• Tuesday, 2, in Gaylord at The Brook of Gaylord, 900 Hayes Rd., from 1-2:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 2, at the HOM Bloomfield office, 43097 Woodward, from 6-7:30 p.m.
• Friday, 5, at the HOM Big Rapids office, 400 Perry St., from 1-3 p.m.
• Saturday, 6, in Gaylord at Aspen Ridge Retirement Village, 1261 Village Parkway from 2-3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 9, in Clinton Township at the HOM Macomb office, 44720 Hayes, from 6- 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, 11, at the HOM Detroit office, 400 Mack Ave., from 1-2:30 p.m.

The Coping with the Holidays program is open to all those dealing with grief, whether a loved one died recently or decades ago. Participants are invited to enjoy refreshments and listen as        grief experts discuss holiday coping techniques such as planning ahead, accepting limitations, and finding someone who will listen.

To register, contact Hospice of Michigan at 888.247.5701.

About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state. The non-profit cares for more than 1,700 patients each day, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life, including At Home Support™, our advanced illness management program, community- based palliative care and pediatric care programs. HOM provides grief support and counseling, caregiver education and support, and education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals through its research, training and education arm, the Hospice of Michigan Institute. For more information, call 888.247.5701 or visit www.hom.org.