Hospice announces ‘Frank and Shirley Dick Hospice Home Challenge’

ADRIAN — On Valentine’s Day, Hospice of Lenawee announced a challenge based in love to benefit the nonprofit organization. Local philanthropist and community activist Frank Dick wanted to help Hospice of Lenawee meet the last $219,000 of its original $5 million campaign with the “Frank and Shirley Dick Hospice Home Challenge.”Dick has pledged to match any donation made to Hospice of Lenawee, up to $100,000, in honor of his late wife Shirley who died in 2010.“This type of gift is representative of the love Frank and Shirley had for each other,” said Bill Kenyon, president of Hospice of Lenawee.“To me, this is a sweetheart day,” Dick said. “Hospice of Lenawee’s Hospice Home is a sweetheart of a project. I talked to Shirley today and she’s very happy with the idea.”“We are humbled by the generosity of Frank and his unwavering support of Hospice of Lenawee,” Kenyon said. “We are also excited that he chose to name the challenge the “Frank and Shirley Dick Hospice Home Challenge” as this hospice home is all about providing compassionate care for someone facing a serious illness, and if you were fortunate enough to have met Shirley or Frank you know the word ‘compassion’ absolutely describes them.”Hospice of Lenawee’s Hospice Home opened in July 2012, and has served over 260 patients. A campaign to fund the building of the hospice home was started in 2008 with over 1,200 donors contributing.“We set our sights very high and set a goal of $5 million,” Kenyon said. “In spite of difficult economic conditions, people of Lenawee County stepped up. Frank and his late wife Shirley were early supporters of our project contributing $100,000.”“The challenge brings about an opportunity for anyone who has already made a commitment or not yet given, to make a donation that will actually be matched by our donor,” said Susan Turner, director of development. “As Bill stated, we are so grateful to Mr. Dick for his faith in our care and our mission, so much that he urges others to follow in his footsteps.”Hospice of Lenawee is the only non-profit hospice located in Lenawee County. The organization employs 86 people, with 20 people working at the eight-bed hospice home.“It’s a wonderful asset to the community,” Dick said. “This is a place that you’re happy to build.”The organization offers bereavement services to Hospice of Lenawee families for at least 13 months following the deaths of their loved ones, and also offer community bereavement services at no charge to anyone in Lenawee County who has suffered a loss.Patients have ranged in age from 40 to 103. The goal of Hospice of Lenawee is to assist patients in Lenawee County experiencing uncontrollable pain or who do not have family members able to provide 24-hour caregiving.Rooms at the hospice home are designed to be peaceful, and bring the beauty of nature to each ptient with large windows that look out on the grounds. There is even a patio door in each room that is wide enough for the patient’s bed to be moved outside for enjoyment of the natural setting.There is plenty of room for family to spend time with their loved one. Each room has a patient bed, pull-out couch for sleeping, comfortable seating, a small table with chairs, a television, and a private shower.The facility has no set visiting hours, and even the family dog is welcomed. There is a family room, a meditation room designed to accommodate all religious denominations, a shower for family members, a small kitchen, and a spa room where patients can enjoy a warm bath.Patients must meet certain criteria for admittance. The biggest cause is that acute pain and symptoms require patients need 24-hour care from a registered nurse.Any patients without caregivers available to care for them at home are eligible for hospice. Also qualifying are patients whose caregivers are struggling to provide care in the home due to the caregiver’s physical limitations.If caregivers need a temporary break, the patient can stay temporarily at hospice home.Medicare and Medicaid meet many of the financial criteria for a stay. Hospice of Lenawee will work with patients if they are unable to pay room and board not covered by private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.All donations to the “Frank and Shirley Dick Hospice Home Challenge” are tax-deductible. Checks should be made out to Hospice of Lenawee and designate the challenge.For more information visit www.hospiceoflenawee.org, send a check to Hospice of Lenawee Challenge at 1903 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian, MI 49221, or call 263.2323.