Hospice of Michigan Introduces Program to Assist Caregivers of the Terminally Ill

DETROIT, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- An estimated 35,000 Michigan residents are eligible for covered hospice care and don't know it.  As a result, caring for them falls to their families, loved ones and other caregivers and places an enormous burden on them.

Hospice of Michigan (HOM), the state's oldest and largest provider of hospice services, today introduced "The Caregiver Kit" to guide patients and their caregivers in determining whether hospice care is the right option and to provide proven tips for caring for these patients.

"The fact that there are 35,000 people in Michigan who need and possibly want hospice services but don't understand that they're eligible to receive them, or how to go about receiving them, is a travesty in our state and especially in our major cities where the problem is the greatest," said Dottie Deremo, President and CEO of Hospice of Michigan.  "It places a huge burden on the people taking care of them and often causes stress, exhaustion and financial concerns to the caregiver.  Our Caregiver Kit tries to answer their questions and ease the burden on the caregiver."

The Caregiver Kit was developed by the Maggie Allesee Center, Hospice of Michigan's research, education and community outreach center for initiatives aimed at improving care for people who are terminally ill.  In addition to helping patients and their caregivers assess the need for hospice services, the kit suggests specific steps for caregivers to take to make patients comfortable, to communicate effectively with them, to manage pain, to provide nourishing meals, etc.  It also suggests steps caregivers should take to protect their own health and to reduce the increased stress levels that result from carrying out their caregiver responsibilities.

The Caregiver Kit is offered at no cost by calling 888-247-5701 or by visiting the Hospice of Michigan website, www.hom.org.

"We have over 30 years experience caring for people with serious illness, not to mention what we're learning every day through our work at the Maggie Allesee Center. Hospice of Michigan is in a better position than any other organization to answer caregivers' questions and to get the word out to people who are being underserved that help is available to them," Deremo said.   "In most cases Medicare and Medicaid will pay for this assistance if it's required, but even when they won't, our unique open access policy can likely assist with providing support. We encourage patients and their caregivers to contact us for the kits and we hope that the suggestions in the kit will assist caregivers as long as they're in that very difficult supporting role."

In the past few years Hospice of Michigan has introduced other industry-leading resources to assist patients and their families with late life and end of life decisions.  The organization produced a Patient and Caregiver's Guide in 2005 and "Have You Had the Talk?," a toolkit to help families plan in advance for medical emergencies or a gradual decline in health and independence.

Hospice of Michigan is the first and largest hospice organization in the state serving 54 counties and over 6,000 patients annually.  The non-profit organization is a nationally recognized leader in hospice care with programs like Open Access, @HOMe Support, Pediatric Care, and fellowship programs in hospice and palliative care at Wayne State and Michigan State University.  Hospice of Michigan has trained more palliative care professionals than any other organization in the state.

To learn more about Hospice of Michigan and The Caregiver Kit, please visit www.HOM.org

ABOUT HOSPICE OF MICHIGAN:

Hospice of Michigan was founded in 1980, and was the State of Michigan's first hospice program. Serving 54 counties in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, Hospice of Michigan is the largest hospice in the state – serving the largest geographic area and the greatest number of patients. Hospice of Michigan is a non-profit, community based, organization with a mission to serve all who need and seek care regardless of their age, diagnosis or ability to pay.

The Maggie Allesee Center for Quality of Life, the Hospice of Michigan's research and education arm, provides educational programs for physicians, nurses, aides, and the community, and applies research outcomes to improve care and enhance quality of life for the patient and family and the team that supports them.

SOURCE Hospice of Michigan