This is the review that I left for Hospice of Helping Hands in case anyone is wondering exactly…read morewhat my loved one and I experienced. My loved one was put on hospice due to stage 4 pressure ulcers with exposed bone. He had 3 consecutive primary nurses during his time with them. The first insinuated that it was my fault his foot turning black as I was his primary caregiver and he wasn't taking his medications. I lived long distance as do a lot of people in my position and wasn't able to see to it that he took them daily. I was also trying to spend as much quality time with someone who was so dear to me before I lost him. I was also told that he needed to accept the fact that he was dying and he was told "don't be surprised if your big toe falls off." Next, when the medical supplies he had ran short, I was told by the 2nd nurse that Hospice of Helping Hands is a non-profit organization and they work with donations as if his insurance company wasn't paying for him to be taken care of. Instead of ordering the proper supplies, telfa pads with tape on the back side were put on his wounds with the tape applied to severely compromised skin, his leg was wrapped with an adult brief and a large maxi pad was used to pad it because "it would be too expensive to use ABD pads daily", which is what they should have been using to protect his skin from further breakdown. When he couldn't take oral medication and his pain was uncontrolled for days-he went 13 days without eating. Multiple calls were made to the company from me and two others to have a morphine pump put into his picc line. At that time the nurse told me that if he became nauseated, they could put something for nausea into his picc line. The oral medication wasn't effective and he often vomited it and the other option was to hold a Compazine suppository in his stoma for a half an hour each day which was undignified to him and further diminished his quality of life, something that apparently didn't matter. I fought the company multiple times as his best friend did also and they blatantly refused to help him. In addition, I was told that they couldn't get the Carraclenz spray that they were using on his wounds as well as saline, which the nurse told me was unavailable anywhere and had resorted to buying bottled water from the grocery store and using that.I promptly called Walmart Pharmacy only to find out that they had saline. When I called to ask about the Carraclez spray, I spoke to a different nurse and she asked me why I wanted them to start using this. I also found out that she called the company that makes the spray and it wasn't supposed to be used on wounds that extensive. I made complaints to West Branch Hospital as well as the state which prompted the executive administrator to visit him. I was told by her that according to her records he wasn't nauseous and that there must be a breakdown of communication between us.She offered what he had already tried and hadn't worked or hospitalization which directly against his wishes; if you added up the times he spent in the hospital, it would total easily over a year possibly more. Apparently if you see someone dry heaving and or vomiting, that isn't a sign of nausea. I contacted a lawyer and was told that if treatment was refused, this is considered negligence as well as malpractice. After a conference call with his medical team they again refused to do anything more. I asked if I could be trained to put nausea medication into his picc line and they wouldn't even look into it for me even though a friend who works in hospice downstate advised me that this is simply untrue and told me to bring him there where he would receive better care. The doctor then told me they had other patients to discuss and hung up. My loved one suffered for months and at the end went 20 days without eating even though he continually expressed that he wanted to eat. He described his experience as hell and felt that the company was waiting for him to die. His body was decaying while he was alive and the mental and well as emotional torment that he expressed was horrible. Although his last primary nurse as well as the social worker were amazing, the doctor whose care he was under and the executive administrator had no compassion. For them to allow someone whom they were supposed to keep comfortable to suffer such a horrible death was unacceptable. Not only were they supposed to care for him but me also. I lost 25 lbs. in 2 months due to the stress of seeing him suffer as well as constantly fighting the company to do their job. This experience was hell on earth for both of us. By the time my loved one passed away, his leg was black up to the knee and the knee cap was only hanging on by a thread. His sacrum and spine were exposed and his right hip bone was prototyping from his body by several inches, yet this wasn't enough for the administration to feel an ounce of compassion and try to make him comfortable. Hospice is supposed to do every

From the owner: We are a non-profit organization that has been providing hospice care in Northeast Michigan since…read more1979. We are an affiliate of the John Tolfree Health System and currently service Arenac, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Roscommon counties. We provide care for patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness that is no longer responsive to curative treatment.

My 71 year old father is in there for water retention in The ccu. Long story short his grandbabies…read moreare his entire world, we were rudely rushed out of there by a nurse. He needed help using the restroom and isn't the type to ask for help constantly so we stepped out for a second to have my mother help him use the restroom. The nurse approached us and told us that we weren't allowed to be in the hall(we were there maybe 15 seconds). We informed him that my dad was using the restroom and my mom was helping. We proceeded into the room after he finished and then told us that he didn't mind us being there but we don't need to be in the hall. (We were only there to allow my dad to use the bathroom) I Mentioned that we didn't mean to be out there but it seemed that he didn't want us there period. He had a rude gesture about it and said "oh ok". Dont take people here you care about!

Like most patients, I arrive 15 minutes prior to the appointment as requested. And just like my…read moreprevious visit, a nice and professional technician checks me in, takes my vitals, and leaves me with, "The doctor will be here shortly". 45 minutes later, with no one checking on me, I leave. This has happened two times in a row. And while the staff may not be as much to blame as the system in which they work, it is absolutely intolerable that they do not respect the time of their patients/customers. We too have a lot going on... work to do... people to see... lives to live... and 100% of the time in my experience they fail to respect this simple fact. The University of Michigan should be embarrassed to have its block 'M' on MyMichiganHealth in West Branch.

The caregivers at Heartland Hospice, of West branch, Our superior! Our mother has been receiving…read morecare from Denise, and April. Both of them have been such an advocate for our mother, always there when you need them, even the middle of the night, texts with concerns. Even the on-call staff are excellent! Consistent and clear communication at all times. We couldn't have asked for anyone better! They are highly recommended to anyone seeking hospice care for their loved ones.

From the owner: Enriching Life…read more Heartland Hospice Services provides hospice care to terminally ill patients wherever they call home. At Heartland, we care for the body, mind and spirit of our patients and families. We tailor our care to fit the patients' and families' unique needs and encourage the involvement of family and friends at every step of the way. Our hospice program includes nursing care, pain management, counseling for patients and families, bereavement services, living will and pastoral support. Heartland believes wholeheartedly in the power of the individual, the importance of relationships and the value of respect and dignity to everyone at every stage of life. Our goal is to create a positive difference in every patient's day, to make a personal connection and create memorable moments... moments that enrich the lives of each of our patients.

A non-profit hospice care home run by a charity team and volunteers. I love their slogan "no one…read moredies alone". Our family appreciated the gentle care and attention shown our mother. A quiet, comfortable, home-like atmosphere. Thank you for kind services to others. I'm encouraging everyone to donate to this wonderful non-profit!

Thank you to the whole team who helped Mom at the end of her life. The team was professional and…read morekind to our family and most of all, Mom. The 24/7 support phone number was helpful in getting help and answers. I will recommend HOM to anyone who needs end of life help. Thank you again.

Stunningly incompetent nursing care. I don't want grief support or condolences; I want medically…read moreprofessional work. Apparently, this is unavailable. Instead, once gets inconsistent instructions, nurses who live in abject fear of conflict, and a general cover-your-ass attitude. One would be better abandoning one's loved one on an ice floe.

If you are looking for a home for your loved ones, I highly recommend The Brook of Houghton Lake…read more My mom has been here for 2.5 years. The facilities are beautiful and clean. The level of care is excellent. But the really fantastic thing is the exceptional love and warmth provided by the entire staff. I'm hesitant to list names, because every single person on staff has been incredible and I don't want to forget anyone. But top to bottom, this is a very special team that truly makes residents and their families feel welcome and well loved. It is a wonderful place and gives us great comfort to know our Mom has been so well cared for.

I am very happy with the kindness and consideration the staff of the Brook have shown my father…read more Clean and efficient, I do not hesitate recommending The Brook; they have gone the extra mile to provide the appropriate care and care level for my fathers needs