Choice Hospice

Choice Hospice belongs to a dedicated group of professionals, whose mission is to keep older adults safely in their homes. Each year Seniors and Caregiver Resource Network (SACRN) hosts a fundraiser to contribute to this mission. This year Senior and Caregiver Resource Network has partnered with the Institute of Gerontology to engage the community in improving the health of older adults. The Healthier Black Elders Center is part of that initiative, created to help Detroits older African Americans age successfully. I’m asking you to consider joining us for an evening of fun and entertainment, while your contribution supports better health for Detroits older adults! Get your tickets now, November 7 is rapidly approaching

Choice Hospice belongs to a dedicated group of professionals, whose mission is to keep older adults safely in their homes. Each year Seniors and Caregiver Resource Network (SACRN) hosts a fundraiser to contribute to this mission. This year Senior and Caregiver Resource Network has partnered with the Institute of Gerontology to engage the community in improving the health of older adults. The Healthier Black Elders Center is part of that initiative, created to help Detroits older African Americans age successfully. I’m asking you to consider joining us for an evening of fun and entertainment, while your contribution supports better health for Detroits older adults! Get your tickets now, November 7 is rapidly approaching

Aging IS Wisdom!! Wisdom was on the stage at Temple Israel, West Bloomfield, MI with a panel of experts - Alyssa J Tobias, MSW, CDP, LLC, Senior Advocate. David B. Trivax, Attorney of Serlin, Trivax & Associates, PC. Keri K. Provider, LMSW, ACSW, Director of the Robert Sosnick Family Life Center, Rabbi Jennifer T Kalyan of Temple Israel. Choice Hospice-MI, CarePRN, Ira Kaufman Chapel, James Feaheny and so many others in your pocket! ‘Sometimes it takes more power to ask for help than to act alone’ Be empowered!

Get to know Choice Hospice Nurse extraordinaire...Rita Winer! I am a Registered Nurse at Choice Hospice and I advocate for patients at the end of their lives related to symptom management and a patient centered approach to increase the quality of their life. It is the miracles that I see that makes this so rewarding. When my father was on hospice I noticed the care he received. At the time, I was working on an Oncology unity in the hospital and I gravitated to the hospice patients. I left my job and started working for hospice. I retired during Covid but then received a phone call from my nurse friend, Diane asking me if I was bored with retirement. That was 4 years ago and Diane is now the D.O.N. at Choice Hospice. I have worked at several hospices but at Choice Hospice I really feel a part of a team that is supportive of each other and really delivers great care. Being present, listening and responding to patient's needs and requests is my mantra and key to success. Outside of Choice Hospice, I like to read, ride my bike, travel and wish I were at the lake. Besides wanting world peace, increased kindness and women having a greater influence in this world, I want to see more village communities developed for older people to live with animals and daycare. I want to see the ERA passed and see flying cars before I die.

I’m here, there and everywhere! My role at Choice Hospice is to educate the community on End-of-Life Care. I help patients and families gain a clear understanding of the benefits of Hospice Care. I first learned of Hospice Care while working as a Nurse Aide at the hospital. I thought Hospice is amazing! This is a benefit everyone deserves! That was 15 years ago and my passion for hospice has not waned. I chose Choice Hospice as my ‘home’ because Choice Hospice lives up to its name, CHOICE, helping people understand they always have choices. ‘We’re born, we die, every breath in between is living’. Living means we have choices. My life’s burning desire is to leave my family with a legacy of love, knowing that each day can be brighter than the day before. My key to success is active listening. Everyone brings something of value to the table. Listen and you will learn. Outside of Choice Hospice I enjoy the outdoors and time spent with family and friends. ❤️

In honor of National Nurses week, Choice Hospice is introducing our Director of Nursing, Diane Havaich-Onken… I am Director of Nursing; I manage staff and oversee patient care. I hire and educate staff to prepare them to provide excellent care to our patients. Early in my career I found a passion for working with people at end of life and started my career in hospice in January 1981. I chose Choice Hospice because we are small, flexible and give great care. We have a great team. I have been very fortunate to genuinely like people. I pray a lot. I enjoy reading, traveling, and talking with friends and family. My life’s burning desire is to choose 6 winning numbers and help friends and family. I also would love to see our country become kinder. People need to accept differences in others, to wipe out violence, hate and mental illness. And of course, to travel in retirement. ~Diane Havaich-Onken D.O.N. Choice Hospice

Today Choice Hospice is highlighting Mindy O'Malley. Mindy's position at Choice Hospice is Assistant Director of Nursing and Patient Care Services. Mindy oversees quality assessment, performance improvement, documentation, and community education. What led you to Hospice Care?  I started my career as a chemotherapy and oncology nurse, and then moved to palliative care, taking care of quadriplegics and paraplegics. In those experiences, I was able to see that we can technically scientifically keep a body alive almost indefinitely, regardless of brain function or disease progression and it really made me reflect on the quality of life that the patient had, which ultimately led me to hospice care. Why Choice Hospice? When I met Dr. Frank Yono, I could see that his mission was genuine and truly focused on the patient’s needs and patient care. This was refreshing compared to a lot of the corporate agencies that were so focused on the financial aspect. At Choice Hospice we truly work as a team and we are truly heard when we have concerns or are advocating for our patients, which is so refreshing in today’s healthcare experience. What is your life’s burning desire? This is a difficult question, my burning desire would be that people all over the world genuinely cared and loved one another, and we’re all able to live in the moments of life instead of rushing. Coming back to reality, however, I would say successfully getting my six children to adulthood and through life, being able to impact every life I come in contact with, regardless of how brief the moment may be.  My key to success is being able to be humble, and being OK with being wrong at times. Always being open and willing to learn something new and trying my best to have a positive attitude, even when faced with difficult moments. Remembering that no matter what we do in life or how we feel in life, it is temporary. Outside of Choice Hospice, I enjoy time with my husband, our children, family and friends. I enjoy all of our animals on our Funny Farm

Today I want to introduce to you a strong heartbeat in our nursing staff, Danielle Smith LPN. Danielle provides direct and indirect patient care services requiring clinical and care management for our patients. Danielle was led to hospice care knowing that she could bring her compassion and empathy to help patients who are suffering from chronic or terminal illness find relief and comfort. Her compassion radiates to the caregivers and loved ones, as well. Danielle chose to work for Choice Hospice is patient driven. ‘They allow the nurses to make decisions, knowing they are providing the very best care.’ Danielle’s burning desire is to become a Registered Nurse with plans to continue her education. Danielle’s key to success is to never fail and continue learning. Outside of work, Danielle loves to spend time with ‘my amazing husband and 3 sons. I enjoy my time with mothers, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and beautiful friends.’

Today I want to introduce to you a strong heartbeat in our nursing staff, Danielle Smith LPN. Danielle provides direct and indirect patient care services requiring clinical and care management for our patients. Danielle was led to hospice care knowing that she could bring her compassion and empathy to help patients who are suffering from chronic or terminal illness find relief and comfort. Her compassion radiates to the caregivers and loved ones, as well. Danielle chose to work for Choice Hospice is patient driven. ‘They allow the nurses to make decisions, knowing they are providing the very best care.’ Danielle’s burning desire is to become a Registered Nurse with plans to continue her education. Danielle’s key to success is to never fail and continue learning. Outside of work, Danielle loves to spend time with ‘my amazing husband and 3 sons. I enjoy my time with mothers, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and beautiful friends.’

What is ‘End of End of Life Care’ Choice Hospice! Who is Choice Hospice? Let’s begin by introducing the dedicated professionals providing End of Life Care… Meet Angela Gilbert, HHA I’m a Home Health Aide, improving someone’s life, a day at a time. I improve someone’s life by supporting not just the patient, but the family and become their support if I can. Making someone feel special is what makes me feel good, even if it’s just to talk and help someone. Improving someone’s life at the end of their life is what led me to Hospice Care. Choice Hospice is a wonderful company to work for. I’m glad I work for Choice. The whole company cares. Truly it’s the best decision I’ve made. I’m happy to say I am a part of Choice for over two years now. My burning desire is to win at all things I always could imagine in life, to never give up, especially when things get hard. Always focus on the positive. Always live my dreams and have no fears. Biggest key to my success is you have to learn between a choice and a decision and you have to learn the difference between a choice and a decision. The difference is with choices you have multiple options. A decision is you are making a final decision by cutting out all your choices and sticking to your decision, no matter what the outcome. Outside of Choice Hospice I like to spend time with family and friends. I like to be outside camping in the summertime. I love going on vacations with the family. I like to ride four wheelers and bikes. I’m a big foodie. I like to eat and just be social.