It's a question we hear often, and you may have wondered yourself. The simplest answer: it's about comfort . So you may not be surprised to hear that Angela Hospice has been piloting a Palliative Care program to expand comfort care to more individuals. The program has been officially greenlighted to expand its capacity.      "The idea of Palliative Care is to provide symptom management, the skill that hospice has, to a patient population beyond the last six months of life," said Chief Medical Officer for Angela Hospice, Dr. James Boal. "There may be people who are not hospice eligible according to Medicare/Medicaid guidelines, but still want a community-based approach — or there may be people who are perfectly eligible for hospice, but they're a little too nervous to sign up for it yet."      Palliative Care also offers a way to provide continued support for Angela Hospice patients who must be discharged from hospice care if their cond...

      Justin Eades didn't believe in soulmates...until he met Noelle Mayer.      It was June 17, 2018, and Justin and his family were at the Angela Hospice Care Center where his aunt Rebecca was being admitted. Just down the hall, Noelle was with her grandmother, Viola DeFelice, for their Tuesday night tradition, watching America's Got Talent .      After six months of visiting her grandmother nearly every day, the Care Center felt like home to Noelle. She remembers she was wearing sweatpants that day and had thrown her hair up in a bun, but Justin thought she was adorable.      "She was very noticeable," Justin said. "Very cute, very rushed." Plus her grandmother kept yelling her name whenever Noelle would leave the room.      "It wasn't appropriate for me to be like, 'Hey, can I get your number?' I don't even think she would have heard me," Justin said. "She was like the Energizer bunny every time she wal...

If a picture is worth a thousand words, John MacDonald has about 3-million things to say. The 94-year-old, who was once a war photographer, still takes gorgeous photos. When the weather is right, you’ll find him in the yard at his daughter’s house, perched on the front porch, where he patiently and quietly awaits the perfect shot. “That’s one of my favorites,” he said as he pulled up a photo of a hummingbird on his MacBook. He has over 3,000 photos stored on his laptop, all organized by subject matter. “These were all taken just sitting on the chair there on that porch,” he said. John lives with his daughter Barb and her husband in their home. It’s there that John has been receiving Angela Hospice home care services since May. Having hospice care at home has allowed John to keep living his life – and keep taking pictures. John shows off one of his favorite photos that he's taken: a  hummingbird drinking nectar from a butterfly bush. “He loves showing his pictures to...

A still from the documentary "Being Mortal." On November 9 join us for a free screening of the Frontline documentary "Being Mortal," which is based on Dr. Atul Gawande's best-selling book of the same name. A panel discussion will follow the screening at Madonna University. Read more about the panelists below. Kathleen A. Aseltyne Assistant Professor, Hospice and Palliative Studies, Department of Nursing, Madonna University Dr. Aseltyne completed her PhD. in 2013 at Oakland University in Counseling and Education, and also holds a Certificate in Bereavement from Madonna University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has worked in various mental health settings including community mental health, and cancer and bereavement support groups. Dr. James Boal Angela Hospice Medical Director A graduate of Wayne State University’s College of Medicine, Dr. James Boal became employed in July 2000 as Angela Hospice’s full-time hospice m...

Being cared for in the comfort of home is one of the many benefits of home hospice care. But for those residing in the Angela Hospice Care Center, the Care Center can become a comfortable home away from home as well. Our volunteers seek to make the holidays memorable by creating special opportunities for patients and families to come together and experience holiday festivities – such as Thanksgiving supper at the Care Center. Patient Jean Henegar was able to attend with six of her family members. While Jean is bed-bound, her nurses were able to wheel her bed right into the Day Room, and found her a spot where she could see the whole room – and all 91 of the other guests! Jean’s daughter, Patti Wert, saw how much it brightened her mother’s spirit. Jean Henegar’s family was happy to be able to attend Thanksgiving dinner with her at the Care Center. “It meant so much to her,” Patti said. She said Jean’s appetite improved and she was happy to be able to spend the holiday with her f...

There is no way around it: grief is tough. And the holidays can complicate those feelings. Take a look at some of these ideas that might help you or someone you know who is grieving during the holidays. Talk to your family and friends. Let them know the holidays are going to be challenging, and you may need to make some changes in the way you celebrate this year. Try to spend time with the people who make you feel comfortable and supported, and don’t be afraid to tell them how you feel. Let go of obligations. Don’t take on too much. Allow yourself to say “no” when you need to so that you don’t wear yourself out. Remember, you can’t please everyone all the time, but that’s OK. Change your plans. It might be easier to face the holidays if you approach them in a new way this year. Try a change of scenery, eat out, or switch your traditional brunch to an evening meal. Switching up your routine could make the day easier. Keep it simple. Remember you don’t have to do it all. Consi...

While many people start looking at Angela Hospice for a loved one after hearing about it through a friend or relative, it was an Angela Hospice radio ad that caught Sue Baumberger’s attention. “That really is what initially started me looking at Angela Hospice,” said Sue, a Woodhaven resident. Sue with a photo of her dad, Robert, who was in Angela Hospice care. Sue and her sister knew that they would have to put their dad, Richard, on hospice care eventually. He had kidney failure and congested heart failure. So with the help of her sister’s friend, who used to work in hospice, their search was on. “There were a couple that we had narrowed it down to,” Sue said. “We choose Angela Hospice based on her recommendation as well as what I was able to find online.” And all those radio ads. Even though Sue had no prior hospice experience, she had only heard good things about using it. Her sister had first-hand experience after using hospice for her mother-in...

Most people know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday but do you know about #GivingTuesday? The global day of giving will take place on Tuesday, December 1, and Angela Hospice is one of over 30,000 partners in 68 countries participating. Founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y #GivingTuesday was inspired by the core Jewish value of tikkun olam, which means, “repairing the world.” #GivingTuesday is all about doing just that: giving; and there are a variety of ways to do that. Give your time. Give some money to your favorite charity ( Donate to Angela Hospice  here. ). Write a wonderful review online about the work one of the #GivingTuesday organizations is doing. It doesn’t matter how or what exactly you do, all that matters is that you give.  Another way to participate in #GivingTuesday is by taking an #UNselfie. ( Download the flyer  here.) Take a photo of yourself and put why you are supporting Angela Hospice on #GivingTuesday. Be sure to tag us on Faceboo...

Mary (far right) with her three sisters and her dad, Norman. For Mary Jardine having her dad’s hospice care set up in the living room made life a little easier, and a little funnier. “It was just funny because it was like a drive-through,” she laughed. “It’s a family joke. That’s how we (the family) get through a lot of things; we have to have a sense of humor.” Laughter is after all the best medicine, and one that’s helped Mary and her family after the passing of her dad, Norman. Norman was an Angela Hospice patient for about a month-and-a-half before dying in August, a day before his 88 th birthday. While Norman, who had diabetes and dementia, lived with Mary, it was her other sister, a nurse, who often took him to his doctor appointments and noticed how rapidly he was losing weight. Mary said that her sister talked to the doctor about hospice and then took the necessary steps to see if Norman qualified, which he did. Angela Hospice started coming to the house...

(Left to right): Darlene Bublin, U.S. Air Force; Margot Parr, U.S. Army; and Marian Ross, U.S. Navy . Today we recognize all veterans as part of Veterans Day. As proud  Level 2  members of the nationwide We Honor Veterans program, we are honored to serve our veterans all year. We would also like to say a special thank you to all our Angela Hospice staff and volunteers who served in the armed forces, including: Darlene Bublin Jan Eskin John Michalski Margot Parr Marian Ross John Stern Thank you to all who have served our country! “It Is The Veteran” It is the Veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. Is it the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to assemble. It is the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair...

After nearly 30 years of dedicated service, Sister Mary Giovanni has retired from her work with  Angela Hospice. “In a way it is the end of an era,” said Angela Hospice President and CEO Margot Parr. “But Sister’s compassion and commitment to caring for the terminally ill continues to inspire us all.” It was in 1985 that Sister Giovanni founded Angela Hospice with the help of the Felician Sisters. She had already spent 11 years researching holistic pain and symptom management, and was a registered nurse with a specialty in gerontology. Under her leadership, Angela Hospice grew as a pioneer in the hospice movement, developing specialized programs for pediatric and prenatal hospice, and opening the first freestanding hospice facility in the state of Michigan. Her compassionate approach as a Felician Sister formed a caring organizational culture that permeates all levels of Angela Hospice’s programs and administration to this day. Sister Giovanni addressed the staff and v...

Patty Ralko holds a photo of her mom, Mary, and dad, John, on their wedding day. The couple were married for 68 years before John’s passing last May. In today’s digital age, hand-delivering a letter to someone is a rarity. But that’s exactly what Patty Ralko did when she brought her thank-you note to Angela Hospice. After dropping it off, Patty said she got in her car, picked up her phone, and saw a photo pop up. It was a picture she had taken outside of her dad’s room at Independence Village in Plymouth, where he had been living the last few years with his wife, Mary. “I thought, ‘Well Dad, guess you’re talking to me,’” Patty laughed. Patty’s dad, John Hoffman, had received Angela Hospice care for about two weeks at his assisted living facility before passing in May 2015. John had vascular dementia, which can be caused after a stroke blocks an artery in the brain, and then developed aspirated pneumonia. “We didn’t expect him to go quite that quickly, but...

You can raise money for Angela Hospice while you shop. Did you know there are multiple ways to help Angela Hospice while you shop? Check out how below. Kroger   If you are a Kroger Plus Card member you can help Angela Hospice earn rewards when you shop, as part of the Kroger Community Rewards Program. The program provides financial support to non-profits based on the money spent at Kroger stores by members enrolled in the program. Before you can help raise funds for Angela Hospice there are a few simple steps: Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account at krogercommunityrewards.com Once signed up, click on your account in the upper right hand corner. Then scroll to the bottom of the page, where you can edit your Community Rewards information. Enter our NPO number: KQ870 or find Angela Hospice on the list provided. To verify you’re enrolled correctly you will see Angela Hospice’s name in your account under Community Rewards. Amazon Smile If online shopping ...

Judith (second from right) has attended every walk since 2010. Have you ever had a moment where you knew that you were exactly where you were supposed to be? That’s how Judith Halpert felt when she arrived at the Angela Hospice Walk of Remembrance in 2010. “The minute I showed up to the first one I said, ‘This is the place I need to be,’” Judith said. “And I need to be there every year now because it’s sort of like a tradition for me.” That tradition began thanks to a friend, whose father had been under Angela Hospice care in 2009, suggesting Judith and her husband come to the walk. While many Walk of Remembrance participants, like Judith’s friend, have had a loved one receive Angela Hospice care, Judith hasn’t. That isn’t to say she hasn’t dealt with loss though. Over a 13-month period Judith lost her mother, her father, and her mother-in-law. “I think of my parents every day but on that day in particular,” she said. “Good things happen that give you peace of mind, pe...

By: Dana Casadei When a doctor suggested hospice for Rita Leonelli’s aunt-in-law Ella, she first thought that was like giving up on Ella. She quickly learned that wasn’t the case. “I had some guilty feelings about putting her on hospice,” Rita said. “But once I kind of got what it was all about, then it was like a weight lifted. Something goes wrong...I have somebody to call. You have a huge support system.” Ella’s previous support system (aka Rita and her husband Lance) may have been small, but it was mighty. In 2012 the decision was made to put Ella in assisted living after she was diagnosed with dementia. At the end of 2012, Ella had a hospital stay that seemed to escalate her dementia, leading to lots of anxiety and confusion. That’s when Rita and Lance hired caregivers for Ella at her assisted living home because she couldn’t be alone. A year went by before Ella’s anxiety got worse and the combativeness started. Rita Leonelli with a photo of her aunt-in-law ...

Click on the image to see why you should start a Walk team! After a couple weeks of it being hot, hot, hot outside it seems we can finally declare that summer is here. As you plan vacations and how much beach time you’ll get, we at Angela Hospice are already looking a few months ahead to our annual fall event, the Walk of Remembrance. This September, we are hoping to exceed our past attendance and host more than 1,000 supporters. The family-friendly walk is a meaningful event for all ages, and we would love for you to consider organizing a walk team.   A walk team is a group of supporters that will help you fundraise and attend the walk, which is scheduled for Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. on the Felician Sisters grounds.  There are all sorts of events you could host this summer to fundraise for your team. For more information please contact our Events Coordinator, Helen Balmforth, at (734) 953-6045 or hbalmforth@angelahospice.us . If you are interesting in forming a team, j...

By: Dana Casadei Linda Woolard is a woman of many words. Yet, when asked about the Dream Cruise held in her honor on June 3, she had a hard time describing how she felt about the day. “I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I clapped,” Linda said. “I had every emotion you could ever have.” The 65-year-old has attended all 21 Woodward Dream Cruises but recently entered Angela Hospice’s Care Center as a patient. Linda and her friend of 47 years, Christine Cope, both thought that Linda wouldn’t be able to attend this August’s Cruise. So the two women made a plan for their own Dream Cruise, Linda said. They would go for a drive on a really nice day, put the top of Christine’s convertible down, and get some ice cream. It started off as a simple plan. But Christine had bigger ideas. Start Your Engines On June 1, Christine came to visit Linda and told her that she had called 7 Action News about her. WXYZ then got in contact with Cruis’News and shared Linda’s story, which the...

Trying to plan family gatherings can feel impossible. Everyone is going a million miles a minute, with schedules that are constantly filled and changing. Then once you finally find a day to get everyone together there seems to always be one relative that has something last minute come up, sometimes making the process begin again. While families have the ability to make our heads spin they always show up in a time of need, no matter how packed their schedule is. For LaVerne Andreolli that time was during her mother’s stay in hospice. Alice Grodus with her daughter LaVerne Andreolli LaVerne’s mother, Alice, had spent a year going in and out of the hospital before being diagnosed with T-cell carcinoma lymphoma of the skin. LaVerne said Alice did treatment because “it was supposed to be treatable and not progress into anything else.” In December 2013 though, Alice was taken to the University of Michigan hospital because “something just wasn’t right,” LaVerne said. Three weeks an...