“You matter because you are you. And you matter to the end of your life,” Cicely Saunders, the pioneer of hospice care, once said.
This is the belief that Hospice of Lenawee was founded upon over 40 years ago, and it’s what drives the organization to this day. Comfort is the number-one priority during a patient’s stay, with the option to enjoy serene grounds, visits from therapy animals, and a cozy family room complete with a kitchen and dining table.
That family room is now even cozier thanks to a new set of couches funded by a donation from MEC and a matching CoBank Sharing Success Grant—part of our vision of creating vibrant, relevant, sustainable rural communities.
What Sets Them Apart
Director of Development Heather Perez is proud of the fact that Hospice of Lenawee is a nonprofit organization that continually goes above and beyond to provide five-star care.
“We’re proud to sustain our mission like it was meant to be,” she says.
The organization does not turn anyone away, with an endowment helping to fund care for those in need. Once at the facility, each patient’s care is individualized to best meet his or her needs, overseen by a medical director with board certification in both hospice and palliative medicine.
In addition to patient care, Hospice of Lenawee’s bereavement program provides grief and loss counseling at no cost to the recipient. It’s available to both friends and family of patients, and to anyone in the community who has suffered a loss.
The organization also supports children with its Kaleidoscope program, which provides certified grief counselors either at the facility or by visiting children in Lenawee County schools, as well as educational materials for parents, guardians, and school officials.
Community Support
It’s thanks to donations and fundraising that Hospice of Lenawee can provide the kind of care and support programs it does.
One such donation was provided by MEC and matched by a grant from our financial partner CoBank. The donation funded new fire-resistant couches for Hospice of Lenawee’s family room, ensuring families have a comfortable space to take a break or eat a meal together.
Creating Experiences
Like MEC, Hospice of Lenawee believes in building a vibrant, relevant, sustainable rural community—evident in the lengths to which staff go to meet the individual needs of patients and their families.
Over the years, patients have been able to have a Halloween movie night with friends, a daddy daughter dance, and even a wedding and reception in the gardens. Whatever the request, Hospice of Lenawee employees see fulfilling it as a key part of giving patients the individual attention and care they deserve.
They’re united by a common belief: “You matter because you are you.”
Hospice of Lenawee provides free consultations and evaluations. Call 517-263-3328 or visit hospiceoflenawee.org for more information.