Frequently Asked Questions 

About Hospice at Home and Integration with Lakeland HealthCare

The Boards of Directors of Lakeland HealthCare and Hospice at Home have approved the integration of Hospice at Home and Lakeland Hospice.  This exciting agreement allows us to formally pursue the expansion of services such as advance health care planning, palliative care, hospice care, and bereavement support for our community.  There will be one program, known as Hospice at Home, a Lakeland HealthCare Affiliate, which provides seamless, excellent care for all of those in need.

The agreement preserves the Hospice at Home Board of Directors as a subsidiary board, the Lory's Place Advisory Board and Crew, and the South Haven Friends of Hospice.

The boards of directors and leadership teams of both organizations are excited about this new endeavor, which will benefit the patients we serve in southwest Michigan in many ways.

Was Hospice at Home purchased by Lakeland?

Both Hospice at Home and Lakeland HealthCare are non-profit organizations with the purpose of serving our community.  As such, the two organizations are joining together with a common mission.  There was no monetary exchange.  Lakeland Hospice will integrate into Hospice at Home.  Hospice at Home will integrate with Lakeland HealthCare as a wholly owned subsidiary.

How will this integration benefit patients?

Most importantly, the partnership between Hospice at Home and Lakeland HealthCare will enable Hopsice at Home to continue to live the mission that we all so passionately support and work to achieve.  Careful consideration was given to our special approach and model of care offered to patients.  Integration will maximize the stability and availability of advance health planning, palliative care and bereavement services for our community.  The strengths, experience and expertise of each organization will offer greater value to patients upon alignment.  Valued relationships with our patients, donors and the medical community will be honored.

Will the name change?

Hospice at Home has 30 years of name recognition and good will in the communities we serve.  The hospitals that comprise Lakeland HealthCare today have served area patients for more than 100 years, and the system also has valuable name recognition.  Our name will be Hospice at Home, a Lakeland HealthCare affiliate.

Will Lory's Place be part of this integration?

As a part of Hospice at Home, Lory's Place will continue to provide its bereavement services to the community.  The Lory's Place Advisory Board will remain in place and capital reserves, endowments and donations to Lory's Place will continue for their designated purpose.

If Hospice at Home and Lory's Place are part of
Lakeland HealthCare, why should I donate to them?

Donations will continue to be important to provide the programs and services of Hospice at Home and Lory's Place.  With the future of health care policy uncertain and reimbursement for care likely to decrease, it is critical that our programs continue to have the support of the community.  Children, families, and seriously ill individuals are counting on us to be the kind of community that cares for one another.  We can do this best as a partner with our local health system, dedicated community supporters and volunteers, and passionate staff.

How does this integration affect the South Haven Community?

As a valued health care partner, South Haven Health System has been involved in this process.  South Haven Health System and Lakeland HealthCare are committed to creating a positive and mutually beneficial relationship as a result of this integration.  South Haven families will experience the same benefits of this integration as all of Southwest Michigan.

What are the next steps?

Legal integration takes place on January 1, 2012.  We are committed to a smooth transition to best serve our patients and the community.

We are so grateful to count you as a community supporter, and we look forward to working together to bring great programs and services to this community that we all care so much for.

Please feel free to contact Melinda Graham, Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives, or Linda Beushausen, President & CEO at any time with questions or suggestions at:  1.800.717.3811.