H O S P I C E
Friday, April 6, 2007
8:30 - 10:00 AM (coffee & networking at 8 AM)
Davenport University – W A Lettinga Campus - MEETING HALL (Lower Level)
6191 Kraft Ave SE - Grand Rapids MI 49512
(Call 616-248-3820 for a map to be faxed or emailed)

Hospice care is relatively new in West Michigan – coming into being some 30 years ago.  Most of us think of the traditional model of volunteers coming into the home to help improve the quality of a patient's last days by offering comfort and dignity.  Over time, different models for delivery of hospice care have developed – some now have dedicated buildings for this service.  There are nonprofit programs and for profit programs.  And new programs seem to be announced on a regular basis.

What is the difference in hospice care compared to traditional long term end of life care?  What are the different settings for hospice and how do they vary – home care, long term care facilities, acute care facilities?  What are the different business models for hospice?  Are there standards that must be met to be called a hospice?  Who sets the standards?  Is there a national organization or accrediting body? How many hospices do we have?  Do we have too many?  Can they all survive?  What threats exist to the hospice system and to the organizations involved?  What is the future for hospice?  Are consolidations to be expected or is there plenty of room for competition?

Are hospices successful?  What are the characteristics of the best programs?  Are practitioners, clergy and corporations supportive?  How is hospice care paid for?  Does reimbursement compare to other long term care payment systems?  Is there accountability for how some hospice programs spend money raised from the community through special events, etc.?

Come to the April Forum to learn the answers to these and other questions you might have.

Moderator:
Tim Pietryga, Director of Public Relations, Consumers Energy

Speaker:
Dottie Deremo, President/CEO, Hospice of Michigan

Reactors:
Madelyn Thompson, Chaplain, Heartland Hospice
Charlie VanderBroek, President/CEO, Resthaven Care Community, Holland MI

RSVP by noon April 5, 2007
Email:  alliance@afh.org  

This forum will be videotaped and broadcast on Grand Rapids area cable station 24, Livewire,
at 7:00 PM, Friday, April 27, 2007.