Since 1983, United Hospice Service, a non-profit hospice program based in Marlette, Michigan, has been working to serve our communities by providing expert hospice care to our family, friends, and neighbors. What started as a group of caring volunteers that served a couple of patients at a time, has grown to serve over 200 patients per year.
United Hospice Service specializes in care during the last stage of life that allows patients to truly live until they die—without the fear of dying in pain, dying alone, or losing control. When a disease or illness cannot be cured, our goal is to treat and control symptoms such as pain or nausea.
We are a team of professionally trained health care providers and specially trained volunteers focused on putting our patients first. We work in partnership with you and your family, serving as your advocate, to ensure that your end-of-life decisions are followed.
For more information, please call 1-800-635-7490.
At any time during a life limiting illness, it is appropriate to discuss all the options for a patient’s care, including hospice. Understandably, many people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping curative treatments for their disease.
The staff at United Hospice Service are sensitive to these concerns and are always available to discuss them with the patient, family, and physician. We can offer informational visits to give you and your loved ones the information you need to make the decision that is right for you.
To make a referral or to schedule an informational visit, please call 1-800-635-7490.
Contact United Hospice Service Residence:
2770 Main Street, P.O. Box 307, Marlette, MI 48453
Office Address:
MRH Health Services
3006 Main Street, Marlette, MI 48453
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone:
800-635-7490
Fax:
989-635-4145
The goal of hospice care is to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their families. Through health care professionals and specially trained volunteers, United Hospice Service will strive to provide the highest quality of care specific to patient and family needs.
Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans.
Hospice services are available for a variety of life-limiting conditions that are no longer responsive to curative treatments. In order to be admitted to hospice care, a physician must certify a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease continues its normal course.
Possible hospice diagnoses include:
The hospice team in partnership with the patient develops a care plan that meets each patient’s individual needs for pain management and symptom control.
The team usually consists of:
The interdisciplinary hospice team:
Contact Us
Phone: 800-635-7490
Fax: 989-635-4145
We consider “home” wherever you call home, whether it be an extended care facility, adult foster care, assisted living, etc.
Contact Us
Phone: 800-635-7490
For many reasons, “hospice at home” may not be an option for you or your loved one. Perhaps the care needed is too technical or overwhelming. Or maybe there is not someone who can provide care 24 hours a day. Our compassionate, knowledgeable staff provides the loving care you and your loved one deserves. The home-like setting of our hospice residence includes:
Six Private Suites
Living Room
Residents, families, and friends are able to comfortably relax in front of a beautiful fireplace, enjoy a movie together, or simply spend time with one another, just like at home.
Kitchen and Dining Area
While meals and snacks are provided for our residents, residents and families are welcome to use the fully furnished kitchen to cook, bake, or gather around the table to enjoy a meal with loved ones.
Additional Special Features
View a virtual tour of our Hospice Residence here: Virtual Hospice Residence Tour
Address
United Hospice Service Residence
2770 Main Street, Marlette, MI 48453
(Physically located behind the hospital)
Contact Us
Phone: 800-635-7490
Fax: 989-635-4145
What is Bereavement?
Bereavement refers to the time following the death or a loved one that is filled with a unique mix of feelings, reactions and struggles experienced by all who are grieving. The experience of grief is both personal and universal. Responses vary from brief acknowledgment to lives that are forever changed.
Who Would Benefit from Bereavement Support?
Our bereavement services are for any person who has suffered a loss through death and is offered to anyone who can benefit. (Hospice enrollment is not necessary to receive our bereavement services.) United Hospice Services bereavement program is an extension of the total care provided to hospice families and the community.
Is There a Cost for These Services?
There is no cost for bereavement services, which include:
Memory Bears and Pillows & “Lasting Memories” DVD
As an extension of the care services provided to our United Hospice Service families, we are pleased to offer one memory bear or pillow and one “Lasting Memories” DVD at no cost to serve as a lasting tribute to your loved one. These projects are made possible thanks to generous donations and our talented volunteers.
Contact Us
Ask for the Bereavement Coordinator
Phone: 800-635-7490
At any time during a terminal illness, it is appropriate to discuss all of a patient’s care options, including hospice. By law, the decision belongs to the patient. Understandably, most people are uncomfortable with the idea of stopping efforts to beat their disease. The staff members at United Hospice Service are sensitive to these concerns and are always available to discuss them with the patient, family and physician. We offer information only visits to give you and your loved ones the information you need to make the decision that is right for you.
The patient and family should feel free to discuss hospice care at any time with their physician, other health care professionals, clergy or friends.
Most physicians know about hospice. If your physician would like more information about our services, please have him or her call us at 800.635.7490.
Certainly. If the patient’s condition improves and the disease seems to be in remission, the patient can be discharged from hospice and return to aggressive therapy or go on with daily life.
If a discharged patient should later need to return to hospice care, Medicare and most private insurance will allow additional coverage for this purpose.
One of the first things hospice will do is contact the patient’s physician to make sure he or she agrees that hospice care is appropriate for this patient at this time. (United Hospice Service has medical staff available to help patients who have no physician.) The patient will also be asked to sign consent and insurance forms. These are similar to the forms patients sign when they enter a hospital.
The hospice election form says that the patient understands that the care is aimed at pain relief and symptom control rather than curing disease. It also outlines the services available. The forms Medicare patients sign also tell how electing the Medicare hospice benefit affects other Medicare coverage for a terminal illness.
Your hospice nurse will assess your needs, recommend any necessary equipment and help make arrangements to obtain it. We have contracts with local medical equipment companies who will deliver equipment to your home.
In the early weeks of care, it’s usually not necessary for someone to be with the patient all the time. Later, however, since one of the most common fears of patients is the fear of dying alone, hospice generally recommends that someone be there continuously.
While family and friends must be relied on to give most of the care, United Hospice Service has volunteers to assist with errands and to provide a break and time away for primary caregivers.
It’s never easy and sometimes can be quite hard. At the end of a long, progressive illness, nighttime can especially very long, lonely and scary. The staff at United Hospice Service is available around the clock to consult with the family and to make visits as needed.
Hospice patients are cared for by a team of doctors, a nurse practitioner, nurses, social workers, counselors, home health aides, clergy, a dietitian, therapists and volunteers. Each provides assistance based on his or her area of expertise. In addition, United Hospice Service provides medications related to the terminal illness, medical supplies and equipment, hospital services, respite care, and additional helpers in the home, as appropriate.
No. United Hospice Service does nothing either to speed up or to slow down the dying process. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during the time of birth, so United Hospice provides its presence and specialized knowledge during the dying process.
No. Although most hospice services are delivered in a personal residence, some patients live in extended care facilities (nursing homes), adult foster care homes, assisted living centers or hospice residences. Patients can also receive hospice services in their local community hospital for respite care (5 days a month) or for symptom management as needed.
The nurses and doctors at United Hospice Service are up-to-date on the latest medications and devices for pain and symptom relief. Our nurses have received additional training in symptom management and palliative care, and most of our nurses are certified in the specialty of hospice and palliative care. This means they have passed a rigorous nationwide test to determine knowledge in palliative care as well as care at the end of life. If needed, physical and occupational therapists can assist patients to be as mobile and self-sufficient as possible and may be joined by additional specialists, such as a massage therapist or dietitian for nutritional counseling.
United Hospice Service also recognizes that emotional and spiritual pain are just as real and in need of attention as physical pain, so we address these as well. Counselors, including clergy, are available to assist patients and family members.
Very high. With a combination of medications, counseling and therapies, almost all patients can attain a level of comfort that is acceptable to them. IV pain medication is usually not required.
Usually not. It is the goal of United Hospice Service to help patients be as comfortable and alert as they desire. By continually consulting with the patient, United Hospice Service is very successful in reaching this goal. Patients can take their usual medication that is ordered by their physician, who can remain active in the patient’s care.
Hospice coverage is widely available. It is provided by Medicare nationwide, by Medicaid in 42 states and by most private health insurance policies. To be sure of coverage, families should of course check with their employer or health insurance provider.
United Hospice Service provides grief and bereavement support for up to 13 months following the death of a loved one. This is offered through a variety of services such as support and counseling service, monthly mailings, grief support groups, and social support groups. Our bereavement services are for any person who has suffered a loss through death and offered to anyone who can benefit. (Hospice enrollment is not necessary.) United Hospice Service bereavement program is an extension of the total care provided to hospice families and the community.
It is the mission of Marlette Regional Hospital to continuously improve the quality of health in the communities we serve.
The vision of Marlette Regional Hospital is to build lifelong relationships that promote healthier, more productive lives and lifestyles.
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