Hospice care for all
In this article from the Grand Rapids Press, the interviewer discusses hospice for prisoners, and how Dr. John Mulder, medical director of Faith Hospice, helped bring hospice care to a prisoner suffering from a terminal illness:
http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/12/humanity_for_prisoners_ministr.html
December 5th, 2011 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Faith Hospice Debuts New Television Commercial
Faith Hospice, the hospice division of Holland Home, is currently debuting its first television commercial on various WWMT, WOOD-TV8 and Fox 17 programs. The commercial was shot in High Definition at Trillium Woods, the Faith Hospice residence in Byron Center, and other Holland Home residential locations with a combination of local actors and Holland Home employees.
The commercial stresses the unique attributes Faith Hospice brings to its patients including experience, values and an emphasis on faith.
To learn more about Faith Hospice, please visit our web site at www.faithhospicecare.org.
November 8th, 2011 | Posted in Bereavement, Community, General, Trillium Woods | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Enjoy Brunch at Trillium Woods
Enjoy food and fellowship at Trillium Woods on Sunday, July 17. Service begins at 10:00 a.m. and brunch will be served from 11:00a to 1:00p.
This Sunday’s brunch menu includes:
- Chicken Penne Carbonara
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Buttered Green Beans
- Garlic Bread
- Caesar Salad
- Fresh Cut Fruit
- Bacon Feta Spinach Egg Bake
- Assorted Desserts/Pastries
Brunch is $10.00 per person. Children 10 and under are $5.00
Trillium Woods
8214 Pfeiffer Farms Drive, SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
July 19th, 2011 | Posted in Community, General, Trillium Woods | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Dr. John Mulder profiled in the Grand Rapids Press
Dr. John Mulder, vice president of medical services for Faith Hospice, was the subject of a terrific profile by Terri Finch Hamilton in the the Sunday, July 10th edition of the Grand Rapids Press. Here are some excerpts:
Mulder is also a musician who just held a big shindig for 200 guests in his Spring Lake backyard featuring two of the top harmonica players in the world — Buddy Greene and Peter Madcat Ruth. It was a fundraiser for Faith Hospice’s patient assistance fund and raised about $5,000.
At one point, Mulder joined them onstage with his guitar. An accomplished musician, he has recorded five CDs of folk music. For him, music and medicine mix, as he often writes songs inspired by breast cancer patients or overseas medical missions.
The article can be viewed on-line at http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/07/profile_end-of-life_specialist.html.
Congratulations to Dr. Mulder. We’re proud to have him as a key member of our staff.
July 11th, 2011 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Faith Hospice receives approval for reimbursing room and board costs of Medicaid hospice patients
Faith Hospice is pleased to announce that its hospice residence, Trillium Woods, the only hospice residence in the greater Grand Rapids area, has received approval for 12 of those Medicaid beds. Twelve of the current 20 beds at Trillium Woods will now be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement for room and board.
Hospice services in the home are covered by Medicaid for eligible patients, but there are a limited pool of Medicaid reimbursed beds in hospice residences for those needing 24-hour care.
“In recent years we’ve seen younger patients on Medicaid,” said Susan Mast, executive director of Faith Hospice. “Previously, the only Medicaid reimbursed beds available were in skilled nursing facilities. In order to receive care at Trillium Woods, Medicaid patients had to apply for our benevolence program. Now, those who meet federally established hospice eligibility criteria can receive services in a home-like setting with 24/7 care available.”
For more information on our hospice services, in the community or at Trillium Woods, call (616) 235-5113.
November 1st, 2010 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
John Mulder on Clearly Community
Dr. John Mulder, vice president for medical services at Faith Hospice, was invited by the radio program Clearly Community, a production of WOOD 1300 AM, to discuss Faith Hospice and the role of hospice in end-of-life care decisions. You can listen to the broadcast here:
October 4th, 2010 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Faith Hospice chosen as one of 101 Best Companies to work for
We are pleased to announce that Faith Hospice has been chosen as one of the 101 Best Companies to work for in West Michigan!
June 24th, 2010 | Posted in Bereavement, Community, General, Trillium Woods | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Hospice 101 — the hospice experience
In order to help explain what hospice is and what hospice does, we have written a fictionalized account of one family’s journey with Faith Hospice. The story is a composite of many typical hospice experiences.
Tom’s condition was getting worse. Martha could tell. He’d been suffering from congestive heart failure for several years, but lately his symptoms had become more troublesome. So far the doctor had been able to control them by trying different medications, but she suspected this time was different.
She managed to get a doctor’s appointment the following afternoon. It wasn’t easy getting Tom to the office, and by the time they arrived, he was out of breath and very uncomfortable.
The tests revealed what Martha had feared—Tom’s condition wasn’t getting better, as a matter of fact, it had become a lot worse.
“This might be a good time to call hospice,” the doctor said gently.
“Hospice? But that means there’s no hope.” Martha began to cry quietly.
The doctor reached out and put a hand over hers. “There’s always hope. But now instead of aggressively trying to cure Tom, they will concentrate on keeping him comfortable so the two of you can enjoy your time together.”
“How much time—“ Martha didn’t want to ask, but she had to know.
“Generally, we recommend hospice when, if the disease runs its normal course, there’s approximately six months left. However,” the doctor held up a hand as Martha began to protest, “I’ve had patients become so much more comfortable after being treated by hospice that they went off the program for several months. We don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s in God’s hands.”
Martha found that thought comforting. She also found it very comforting that the hospice the doctor recommended, Faith Hospice, embraced the patients’ and families’ spiritual beliefs. She and Tom both took strength from their faith, and now, at this difficult time, it was more important than ever.
That Monday, a registered nurse from Faith Hospice arrived at Martha and Tom’s house for an initial assessment. Martha liked how she listened so carefully, asking thoughtful questions and never making them feel rushed. She explained all the different hospice services, and Martha was amazed at all that would be available to them.
“How are you managing the stairs,” the nurse asked Tom glancing toward the curved, wooden staircase.
“It’s getting harder and harder,” Tom admitted ruefully. “Sometimes I don’t bother to go upstairs, but just sleep down here in my recliner.”
“We can arrange for a hospital bed to be delivered,” the nurse made a note. “I think that will make you much more comfortable.”
The nurse made some further suggestions, and explained that Tom would be assigned to a particular care team. Tom signed the consent forms she brought. By the time she left, Martha felt as if a huge burden had been taken off her shoulders. Tom was going to get excellent care, and Faith Hospice was going to do their best to keep him as comfortable as possible.
The Faith Hospice home health aide made Martha’s life so much easier and provided great comfort to Tom. She helped Tom bathe and dress, and Martha knew it made him feel better to know he was clean and looking his best.
The Faith Hospice physician, in consultation with Tom, his case manager and Tom’s physician, decided on the appropriate medication needed to keep Tom comfortable. Tom and Martha were able to spend their time visiting with family and friends. The children came as often as possible, and they enjoyed big family dinners together just like old times. Martha managed to get to the grocery store thanks to the volunteer respite workers who sat with Tom while she was away. She enjoyed getting out for a bit and even continued to get her hair done every Friday just like always.
“Dad is actually looking a lot better,” their daughter, Ann, commented as she helped her mother clean up after one of their Sunday dinners.
Martha nodded. “The Faith Hospice team is really helping him to stay as comfortable as possible. I’m so grateful for all they’re doing for your father. And for me, too,” she added. “I can’t imagine doing this without them.”
Several months later, Martha slipped while coming down the stairs. Fortunately her ankle wasn’t broken—just sprained. But it made it that much more difficult to care for Tom even with the Faith Hospice staff who came on a regular basis to help. The social worker suggested moving Tom to the Faith Hospice residence, Trillium Woods, in Byron Center. She and Martha also discussed various methods for paying the room and board fees.
Martha went to visit Trillium Woods and was very impressed. There were beautiful lounges, a communal kitchen, private rooms with a pullout sofa should she want to stay overnight with Tom, and a peaceful chapel where they could sit and worship. It felt more like an exquisite private home than a medical setting, and she was very relieved.
Tom was kept as comfortable as possible at Trillium Woods. The weather was warming up, and Martha sometimes pushed Tom in his wheelchair to one of the outdoor patios for lunch. They both enjoyed watching the birds and other creatures frolicking in the grass outside. Although Tom was comfortable, his condition continued to worsen. Martha was glad that twenty-four hour care was available at Trillium Woods. She visited as often as possible, but she was able to take time for herself and keep her own appointments.
Martha arrived on a Wednesday afternoon to discover Tom had a visitor: A small pet therapy dog was keeping him company on the bed.
“Like my new friend?” he asked weakly, putting up a hand to pet the animal.
Martha smiled and stroked the dog’s head. She couldn’t believe how many wonderful things were available at Trillium Woods. Volunteers played music, delivered flowers, washed and cut hair and Tom had even begun working on a family history thanks to a volunteer experienced in genealogy.
Tom received wonderful care at Trillium Woods from the Faith Hospice staff, but as the doctor had warned Martha, his disease eventually began to run its course. He drank little and ate even less. The staff assured Martha that this was perfectly normal. The children came from out of town and son Jeff spent several nights on the pullout sofa in Tom’s room.
Finally, the day Martha had been dreading arrived. When she got to Trillium Woods, she discovered that Tom had lapsed into a coma. She called the children, and they gathered around Tom’s bedside. Martha sat with his hand in hers as they talked and cried. Several hospice staff joined them in prayer and one of the nurses began to sing a beautiful hymn as Tom entered eternal life.
Martha felt a deep sadness, but at the same time, an overwhelming joy at the peace and beauty of Tom’s passing. She thanked the nurses and other staff who had walked with them on this final journey.
One of them put a hand on Martha’s shoulder. “Stay with him as long as you like. And when you’re ready, just let us know.”
Martha and the children talked and cried some more and then Martha told the staff they were ready to let Tom go. A nurse called the funeral home and set in motion the plans that Tom, Martha and the family had agreed on earlier.
The funeral was lovely and provided a great comfort to Martha. A week later a bereavement social worker from Faith Hospice called to check up on her. She explained that it was part of the hospice benefit and Martha was entitled to counseling as well. Faith Hospice offered several support groups, and Martha was able to pick one that suited her schedule. After attending several sessions, and meeting one-on-one with the bereavement social worker, she began to feel her spirits lift slightly.
Every day Martha said a prayer of gratitude for all the help and support she received. When her friend’s mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she didn’t hesitate to recommend Faith Hospice. She was so grateful that they had shared this journey with her.
June 24th, 2010 | Posted in Bereavement, Community, General, Trillium Woods | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Grand Rapids Press profiles Faith Hospice volunteer
Faith Hospice is truly blessed by all its wonderful volunteers. On Sunday, May 2nd, one of our faithful volunteers, harpist Phyllis Miner, was profiled in the Grand Rapids Press by Tom Rademacher:
There’s the woman who was diagnosed with cancer and had just two weeks to live. The harp made her sleep, cry, then laugh. “Oh, Phyllis,” she said, “you’re such a blessing to me because, now, I know what it will sound like in heaven.”
Read the full article, ‘Harpist at Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods in Grand Rapids helps patients with their transition.’
May 3rd, 2010 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter
Enjoy food, wine, and a silent auction to benefit Faith Hospice
On Friday, May 7th at 6:00p, John Russo’s Wine Warehouse and Deli and the Dan Pfeiffer Automotive Group will host ‘Primavera: A Celebration of Wine and Food’ at the Applause Event Center, with a silent auction benefitting Faith Hospice. See the attached poster for the full details, or call John Norden at (616) 235-5461.
And remember, you can always support the quality care of Faith Hospice by making a secure online donation through our giving page.
April 16th, 2010 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter