Hospice Care
Hospice care is designed for those who are diagnosed with a life-limiting illness who do not wish to pursue any further aggressive treatments. Michigan Palliative & Hospice Care is dedicated to providing compassionate care through a comprehensive approach that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being for all we serve.
Our dedicated clinical team consists of:
Hospice Physicians
Nurse Practitioners
Registered Nurses
Certified Home Health Aides
Medical Social Workers
Spiritual Care Counselors
Massage Therapists
Hospice Volunteers
What Exactly Does the Hospice Care Team Do?
It takes a uniquely passionate, empathetic, and dedicated person to care for hospice patients. The MPHC interdisciplinary hospice team handles all facets of patient care, including:
- Manages the patient’s pain and other symptoms related to illness
- Supports and assists the patient, caregivers, and family members through the emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects of dying, along with providing bereavement support and grief counseling to surviving family and friends
- Provides medications and medical supplies and equipment
- Instructs the family on how to care for the patient, and provides professional emotional support & counseling for the patient
- Makes short-term respite care available when pain or other symptoms become too difficult to manage
- Delivers special services like massage therapy and physical therapy when needed
Common Misconceptions:
There are many common misconceptions surrounding hospice care. We do our best to educate the community in order to help people better understand these misconceptions.
Hospice is for patients who have given up and are close to death.
Hospice programs are designed for those who do not want any further aggressive, or life-prolonging measures. The goals of treatment are to provide comfortable care increasing quality of life so that patients can live their life free of suffering.
Hospice overmedicates patients causing excessive sleep, confusion, and addiction to pain medication.
Hospice programs aim to provide comfort and manage symptoms without causing excessive sleep, confusion, or addiction. They carefully balance pain medication to improve quality of life.
Once a patient elects hospice, they can no longer receive care from their primary care physician.
It is a priority for the hospice team to maintain existing patient/physician relationships. MPHC works closely with the primary care physician to maintain an individualized and collaborative care plan that honors the unique wishes of each patient we serve.
MPHC Bereavement Program and Services:
Our dedicated bereavement team provides comprehensive emotional support throughout patient care and for 13 months after your loved one has passed away. With compassion, and without judgement, our Bereavement Coordinator and Medical Social Workers provide professional grief support that is tailored to your unique needs. MPHC bereavement services are offered to the family members and loved ones of every patient we serve, as well as to members of the community.
- Bereavement Phone Calls
- Bereavement Mailings
- Memorial Services/Celebrations of Life
- Support Groups