Life's Journeys
Staff Notebook
A message from Dottie Deremo,
President/CEO, Hospice of Michigan
Celebrating life at the end of the journey
$6 million in unreimbursed care.
T
oday I would like to ask you
some questions.Your
answers will reflect your
knowledge of Hospice of
Michigan and our effort to inform the
Jewish community about end-of-life
issues. The questions are all True or
False.
Some physicians are reluctant
to refer patients to Hospice.
A.True. Doctors want to cure their
patients. Many are inclined to keep
trying, even when there's little hope
for recovery. Recently, Michigan
doctors received the Michigan
Physicians Guide to End of Life
Care. This publication is designed
to help doctors talk to their patients
when there is bad news to report.
1. Hospice of Michigan is one of
many hospices in Michigan.
A. True. There are more than 100
hospices operating in the state.
Among non-profits, we are the
largest in Michigan, caring for
more than 900 patients a day in
45 Michigan counties.
2. Hospice of Michigan is more
than a Hospice.
A. True. Last fall, we dedicated the
Maggie Allesee Center for Quality
of Life in our new headquarters in
the heart of Detroit's medical cen-
ter.The Center will be a hub for
end-of-life research and education
projects at local, state and national
levels.
3. Hospice of Michigan cares only
for the elderly terminally ill.
A. False. While elderly patients make
up the majority of our patients, we
care for patients of all ages. In fact,
HOM is one of only a few hospices
in Michigan with a dedicated pedi-
atric hospice team.
4. Hospice treats patients in
hospital settings only.
A. False. Hospice cares for patients
in hogpitals, residential care cen-
ters, long term care facilities and
in patints' homes. More and
triore, we find that when we are
8. It is best to call Hospice when
an illness is in its final stages.
called at the time of diagnosis,
patients want to find ways to stay
in their own homes surrounded
by their loved ones. HOM makes
that happen.
5. Medicare coverage calls for a
doctor to certify a patient has a
terminal illness and will probably
live six months or less.
A. False. A University of Texas study
shows the average hospice care is
35 days. In Michigan the average
stay is much shorter. We know that
families would greatly benefit
from earlier referrals
.9. Hospice care ends when
death occurs.
A. False. Our nurses and support
staff know the procedures that
must be followed, and they also
know who should be called and
what the family wishes. Often they
will suggest bereavement services
which are available for at least 13
months following death.
A. True. It is hoped that this rule
will be changed so that hospice
care will be available to more
people who can benefit from it.
Predicting death is not an exact
science. Ideally, patients who
require palliative care and counsel- - 10.At Hospice of Michigan the
three "B's" are not Bach,
ing would be identified and treated
Beethoven and Bartok.
when the need is evident.
A.True. Our "three B's" refer to
6. Hospice of Michigan serves
Rabbi Bunny Friedman, Nurse
only insured patients.
Bonnie Topper and Bobbie Blitz,
A.False. Hospice care is covered by
our Jewish liaison specialist. More
Medicare and most insurance
and more, Jewish families rely on
companies. However, we do not
the care and compassion they
turn away the uninsured. Needless
offer.To learn more about our
to say, we welcome donations. In
Jewish Hospice program, call
2001, donations helped pay for
Bobbie at 248-253-2580, ext. 4543.
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Issue date: 3/25/02
Deadline: 2/20/02
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2/1
2002
26,
Judge Grant
TEMPORARY ADDRESS: 30301 NORTHWESTERN HWY., SUITE 200, FARMINGTON HILLS 4 8 3 3 4
Worth Watching
0
akland County Circuit Judge
Nanci Grant was named by
Jewish Women International
magazine as one of "Ten Wonien to
Watch" in Jewish year 5762.
The Washington, D.C.-based mag-
azine honored the women "because
they care about the world they live
in and have the courage to live their
values and exercise their convic-
tions."
First elected to the bench six years
ago, Grant told Birmingham author
Debra Darvick, who wrote the pro-
file of her for the Fall 2001 issue of
JWI: "I'm proud when someone says,
`I love coming into your courtroom
because I know you've read and
[given thought to] every word I've
written. Even if you decide against
me, I know I've been given a fair
shot.' I keep that in mind every day
from the moment I wake up."
Grant, daughter of Oakland
County Probate Judge Barry Grant,
has spent her term whittling down a
significant case backlog.
"I bring a completely different
view to my job," says Grant. "I don't
think every case needs to be tried.
I'm willing to talk to the litigants to
resolve issues outside court. I'd
rather use my court time to try
important cases — felonies, rob-
beries and assaults."
She's a firm believer in placing
limits on children. "Kids may act
like they don't want boundaries," she
said, "but they do.
"I tell these 18- and 19-year-olds
before me, 'You have a whole life
ahead of you. Why are you screwing
it up for this?' I can't always have an