Hospice Celebrates 25 Years of Comforting Patients, Families
Petoskey, Mich., February 6, 2008 – When Vicki Patterson first got involved with a group of locals looking into forming a hospice organization, she couldn’t have known some 25 years later it would help her through the process of caring for her own dad at the end of his life.

Her father Robert Patterson, shown right, received the love and support of Hospice of Little Traverse Bay at the end of his life, which was fitting, because in his own way, he always helped others in need.

“My dad died just over a year ago,” said Patterson, a nurse at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital who works with the clinical trial program for oncology patients.

“Little did I know in 1980 that I would be using the program for my own family. It was important for me to know that I had the practical and emotional support needed to keep my dad at home. Hospice made that possible.”

Patterson was a head nurse on the oncology floor at the time of those early hospice organizational meetings in the early 1980s.

“I got involved from a personal and professional standpoint, because I felt that patients weren’t getting the support they needed to die peacefully at home, and I felt that choice was very important,” said Patterson.

Today, area families readily find that important comfort and care support. For the past 25 years, Hospice of Little Traverse Bay has sustained families like Patterson’s who are facing end-of-life issues. To mark the milestone anniversary year, a number of celebrations are planned, including the opening of Hiland Cottage the first week of June.

The seven-bed hospice facility, funded by more than $4 million in community donations, will also house administrative offices, community support groups and counseling services all in one location, said Lisa Ashley, hospice executive director.

Hiland Cottage will be home for patients who live alone and safety is a concern, or younger patients who don’t want their children to have to witness daily struggles nearing the end of life, Ashley said. It will provide 24-hour caregiving support, and volunteers will be needed to help with gardening, greeters and in other areas.

The Hiland Cottage opening is an example of how hospice has evolved to meet the community’s needs over the past two-plus decades, Ashley said.

“Our program has grown significantly over the last 25 years. We started with a handful of volunteers and have over 120 volunteers today,” said Ashley, who noted the organization became an official nonprofit in August of 1983. “We have an amazing volunteer corps.”

In the early days, hospice had no office and operated mainly out of the hospital itself. Petoskey resident Mary Gruler was instrumental in starting the hospice group and cared for the first at-home patient who was at the end of her life in 1983.

“I taught nursing at the college at the time and I was very much concerned about pain control,” said Gruler, who was the first executive director, a volunteer position.

As the group became more organized, Gruler said the process expanded to find local professionals to volunteer their expertise, such as nurses, doctors and attorneys. “Hospice grew out of a need that was recognized by a lot of nurses,” Gruler said. “We felt the need for more humane care of people at the end stage of life.”

That mission continues. Each year, Hospice of Little Traverse Bay helps about 175 patients and families in Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties.

Since its founding, volunteers have been at the heart of hospice. Ashley said more are currently needed, particularly with the opening of Hiland Cottage. An upcoming February training session will acquaint interested area residents with the various volunteer positions available.

Hospice also relies heavily on financial donations. With a $2 million annual budget, Ashley said about $400,000 is raised each year from community donors.

Contact Hospice at 487-4825 for more information on the upcoming training, volunteer opportunities or how to give. Hospice is also in the process of hiring staff for Hiland Cottage. Apply online at www.hospiceltb.org.

Other events planned throughout 2008 to celebrate the 25th anniversary include a major donor celebration in July, and the 25th anniversary of the main annual fund-raiser, a community auction, set for Oct. 18, the actual date of the first auction, at Nub’s Nob.

Ashley said the next 25 years are likely to bring more collaboration of hospices regionwide to continue serving the needs of Northwest Michigan residents.

“We’re stronger together,” she said. “I think that’s what the next 25 years will bring, more partnerships and abilities to work with more community organizations to provide better education to people about end-of-life care.”