How We Can Help

Advanced Care Planning

Supporting adults at any age or stage of health

About

Information about advanced care planning

Planning for health care is an important step toward making sure you get the medical care you would want if you are unable to speak for yourself and doctors and family members are making the decisions for you.

Advance care planning involves learning about the types of decisions that might need to be made, considering those decisions ahead of time, and then letting others know—both your family and your health care providers—about your preferences. These preferences are often put into an advance directive, a legal document that goes into effect only if you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself.

These are your decisions to make based on your personal values, preferences, and discussions with your loved ones. While these can be difficult conversations to have, they can be an invaluable gift to those you love. Regional Hospice is available to help answer questions and assist you with advance directives. Please call if we can help you.

In this video, viewers meet Michael and Liz Sampair, a California couple who have been married for 18 months. Michael was diagnosed with prostate cancer eight years ago and is well-versed on the importance of advance care planning. He has had vital conversations with his family and documented his wishes and healthcare preferences to ensure that his loved ones will not be faced with unnecessary burdens that can occur when important issues are unaddressed.

How Hospice Care Is Unique & Special

Treat the person

The interdisciplinary hospice team is made up of professionals who address the medical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of the patient and family. The plan of care is determined by the patient's needs and wishes.

Emphasize quality of life

Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Hospice emphasizes living one's remaining days as fully as possible. Hospice stresses human values that go beyond the physical needs of the patient.

24/7 support for patient & family

Hospice RN's are on call 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to help patients and families cope with emergency situations. Patients routinely receive in-home services of a nurse, home health aide, social worker, chaplain and volunteers.

Bereavement follow-up

The hospice team is trained to help a family cope with grief and end-of-life issues. Bereavement support and resources are available throughout hospice care, at the end of life, through the grieving process and beyond. Hospice follows the family through the grieving process for a minimum of 13 months after the loss of their loved one and helps the family go on living.

How to make a referral

Patients may be referred for Hospice Care or Palliative Care by their primary physician, family members, friends, clergy, or other health care professionals.

Service Area

Our Counties Served

Regional Hospice Services provides care within the following counties in Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan:

  • Ashland
  • Bayfield
  • Douglas
  • Iron
  • Polk
  • Sawyer
  • Washburn
  • Barron
  • Burnett
  • Gogebic
  • Ontonagon
  • Rusk
  • Vilas

Testimonials

Words From Those Who Matter Most, Regional Hospice Patients And Families.