The practical concerns associated with the end-of-life can be a source of stress for many families. In addition to helping you access community resources, hospice care team members can walk you through many financial, legal or insurance issues. Our billing specialists are proficient at providing clear, concise information on benefits available through Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.

Contrary to popular belief, advance directives or advance care planning is for everyone, not just the elderly. Advance directives refers to a document that specifies your wishes and empowers your advocates to make decisions on your behalf, based on this document, should you be unable to do so yourself. Taking time to prepare an advance directive now can help to eliminate stress and provide protection for you and your family or loved ones during a future crisis. Illness or injury can happen any time and if you can’t speak, who will speak for you?

How can you help your family? Learn about your choices. Talk about your decisions. Write down your plans.

Legal, medical and funeral aspects must be taken into consideration when preparing advance directives. Legal issues involve wills and trusts, durable power of attorney, patient advocate, long-term care and disability insurance. Medical aspects include artificial nutrition and hydration, do-not-resuscitate order (DNR), hospice and palliative care, long term care, coping with loss, organ and tissue donation, and whole body donation. Funeral issues include burial, cremation, type of service and prearranged plans.

Many resources are available to provide assistance in your decision-making process. Hospice of Holland’s Master’s-Level social workers are well-versed in this area and able to provide information and resources for patients and families. For additional assistance, visit www.caringinfo.org. or call Caring Connections HelpLine, 1.800.658.8898. Current State of Michigan legal documents are available by calling 800.347.5296.

Hospice of Holland recognizes that all persons have a fundamental right to make decisions relating to their own medical treatment, including the right to accept or refuse medical care. It is the policy of hospice to encourage individuals and their families and caregivers to participate in decisions regarding care and treatment. Valid advance directives will be followed to the extent permitted and required by law. In the absence of advance directives, hospice will provide appropriate care, according to the plan of care authorized by the attending physician, hospice interdisciplinary team, and hospice medical director.