Hospice

What is Hospice?

Hospice is an ancient tradition of giving hospitality to travelers on a long journey. Today, hospice honors the tradition by helping persons who are in the last stage of life.

The hospice philosophy considers the dying process -- like birth, growth, maturity, and aging -- a meaningful phase of the human experience. The hospice mission is to ease the dying process for the patient and the family. The hospice hope is for a natural death marked by human dignity.

Hospice does not prolong a patient's life or hasten a patient's death. Rather, hospice provides physical comfort for the patient and emotional support for the patient and the family.

Hospice is concerned with the patient's whole existence. It addresses the patient's medical problems, as well as the psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the patient and the family. It provides pain medication and other measures which may alleviate the patient's other symptoms. It provides information and education on a broad range of associated issues. It also provides a secure support system during difficult time.

How Does it Work?

A hospice patient generally receives his or her care at home. A primary care-giver, generally a family member, is responsible for the patient. Hospice personnel visit the patient and family as necessary. A hospice nurse is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hospice gratefully accepts charitable contributions, which help defray its costs and enhance it services.

Who is Eligible?

• Persons who have an incurable disease with a limited life expectancy.
  Examples include advanced heart, lung and kidney disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, AIDS, and cancer.
• Persons who are approved by a physician.
• Persons who consent to the hospice plan of care.
  The hospice plan of care emphasizes simple but effective measures which are likely to provide comfort. The hospice plan of care discourages technical and expensive tests and treatments which are unlikely to be helpful. The hospice plan of care always focuses on the patient's comfort.
• Persons who have a family member, friend, or hired care-giver who is able to take responsibility for their care.
• Persons who live in Monroe County.

How is it Paid for?

Hospice services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and some private insurances. No patient is denied hospice benefits because of financial constraints.

Hospice gratefully accepts charitable contributions, which help defray its costs and enhance it services.

How Does a Patient Enter Hospice?

The patient's physician or other health professionals may refer the patient. Or the patient or the family may request hospice services.

To request hospice services or to obtain information, call Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe at (734) 240-8940 or (800) 636-3610. Regular office hours are between 8 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Early referral allows Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe to provide maximum comfort and support.

How Can I Help?

Interested persons may wish to become a volunteer or make a donation.

Volunteers

Mercy Memorial Hospice volunteers serve a number of important functions. Some volunteers provide direct patient services. They keep the patient company, run errands, do chores, and give the family a respite. Other volunteers provide indirect patient services. They do clerical, promotional, and educational functions. All the volunteers help the hospice patient and family members.

Donations

Mercy Memorial Hospice also gratefully accepts charitable contributions. These essential resources are a major source of funding for the hospice services. They help defray the costs of indigent care and bereavement services. They also enhance the quality of the hospice services. Charitable contributions are tax deductible.