Ideally, care from Arbor Hospice should begin as soon as the focus of treatment changes from curing the disease to alleviating the symptoms and providing palliative (comfort) care.  The decision to request Arbor Hospice care is a personal one, but most of our families tell us they wish they had made the decision to turn to Arbor Hospice earlier. A patient, family member, doctor or other health care professional can ask for Arbor Hospice. In order to be admitted to Arbor Hospice, a physician must certify a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease continues its normal course.

Arbor Hospice should be considered if any of the following conditions apply:

• The disease has progressed to the point that there is no cure, and you have decided to be comfortable and not actively seek to treat the disease.
• You and your loved one chooses to forego any further testing or hospitalizations and will allow the dying process to happen naturally.
• Activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and walking have become difficult.
• Symptoms are increasingly uncomfortable or difficult to manage.
• Pain is not well controlled.

With Arbor Hospice, individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness have the chance to complete their lives with dignity, in comfort and at peace.  Arbor Hospice patients have the rare opportunity to communicate all the special things to those they care about, while passing on their personal history and legacy to the next generation.

Arbor Hospice care also allows friends and families the unique opportunity to show how much they have valued their loved one's life, to reminisce and remember special shared moments.

Anyone can inquire about Arbor Hospice services. You or your loved one may call Arbor Hospice at any time for more information or to request services. Arbor Hospice will contact your physician to determine if a referral to Arbor Hospice is appropriate. Another way to inquire about hospice is to talk to your physician, and he or she can make a referral to Arbor Hospice.

Individuals who are not yet ready for hospice, are not hospice appropriate or are receiving curative treatments may be eligible for Arbor Palliative Care. Arbor Palliative Care (APC) is a service for those who need help with pain or other symptoms due to serious illness. Contact Arbor Palliative Care at (734) 794-5678 or toll free (855) 249-5678.