1070 North Monroe Street, Suite B
Monroe, Michigan
(734) 240-8940

Your Community Hospice

Hospice is a special kind of care designed not only to support people faced with the challenges of a terminal illness, but to also support those who are sharing in the journey. Hospice seeks to improve the quality of a patient’s last months of life by offering comfort, dignity and ultimately living their remaining time to the fullest surrounded by family, friends and a professional health care team.

 

The Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe philosophy considers the dying process – like birth, growth, maturity, and aging – a meaningful phase of the human experience.

 

How the Process Works

Once a physician has certified a person for hospice care:

• The hospice patient generally receives his or her care at home
• A primary caregiver, generally a family member, is responsible for the patient
• Hospice of Monroe team members visit the patient and family as necessary
• A Hospice of Monroe nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

 

 

A Compassionate, Knowledgeable Team

The Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe interdisciplinary team, including more than 125 volunteers, offer specialized knowledge of medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Throughout the course of care:

 

• Clear and open communication is an important and vital element of the care plan
• The team works closely with the patient’s personal physician and the hospice physician
• Patients and their families are encouraged to meet with a hospice team member to discuss the hospice philosophy, available services and patient expectations
• The care plan is regularly reviewed and revised by the team according to the patient’s needs

 

In addition, 90 percent of our staff lives in Monroe County, allowing us to offer a quick response time.

 

 

Hospice Services

Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe is a member of both the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, and we are accredited by The Joint Commission. We offer a wide range of hospice services, including:

 

• Physician services
• Nursing services
• Social work services
• Home health aides
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Spiritual counseling
• Nutrition counseling
• Continuous care during crisis periods
• Speech pathology, physical therapy and occupational therapy, when appropriate
• Volunteer support
• Bereavement care and counseling to family and friends

 

 

Insurance and Benefits

Hospice is a covered benefit under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans. A Mercy Memorial financial counselor can assist in determining an individual’s eligibility and available coverage. A patient can remain in hospice care beyond six months if a physician re-certifies that the patient is terminally ill.

 

 

Bereavement Services

Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe offers a wide range of bereavement services, including:

           

• Grief support groups for adult family members, adolescents and children, as well as for parents who have lost a child
• Professional and volunteer visits, individual counseling for families, phone calls and bereavement mailing
• A professionally facilitated bereavement support group
• An annual memorial service
• A library collection of books and videos available upon request
• Workshops and presentations to groups
• Grief crisis intervention and training programs for schools

 

Volunteer Opportunities

Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe is always looking for compasionate volunteers to help them assist patients who are terminally ill. If you are interested in helping, please check out our list of volunteer requirements.

 

Patients benefit more from hospice care if they are referred when their life expectancy is approximately six months. While patients must have a doctor certify that they are terminally ill, the patient, relatives or friends may initiate the process by contacting the office at (734) 240-8940 or (800) 636-3610.