the “Thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Hiland Cottage, the Bay Bluffs end-of-life suites will be called the Hiland Suites to honor the hard work and dedication of my father Hiland Hall. My father was instrumental in gathering community support for the construction of the Hiland Cottage Hospice, and we are thrilled to carry on his legacy.”
— Jeff Hall, Harbor Springs Resident & Friends of Hiland Cottage Member
Harbor Springs, MI — June 3, 2024 — With the closure of McLaren Northern Michigan’s Hiland Cottage Hospice House effective March 1, 2024, (preceded by McLaren’s closure of their Cheboygan Hospice House), Bay Bluffs – Emmet County Medical Care Facility is leading the charge to fill the void in residential end-of-life care.
“We are deeply committed to supporting our community through this transition,” explains Lisa Ashley, Bay Bluffs Administrator. “And, we are proud to announce the collaborative partnership with Friends of Hiland Cottage, area Hospice services and other local end-of-life providers.” This group brings together the expertise and resources necessary to provide comprehensive and compassionate care for residents in their final stages of life.
In conjunction with Emmet County millage appropriations, Bay Bluffs is on track to reopen the Appleblossom neighborhood, featuring 100 beds, now with three suites specifically designated for end-of-life residents and those in need of symptom management due to terminal conditions.
Each suite will include a resident room, a family sitting area with private bathroom and comfortable furnishings. Views of the large outdoor gazebo and woodland walkway provide a serene and supportive environment for residents and their families.
The initial launch of the three specialized suites is set for August 1, 2024, with the potential to expand up to 11 suites based on community need and financial support. Other millage expenditures include behind-the-scenes facility improvements like boilers, plumbing and HVAC updates.
“Recent interior renovations to our Birch neighborhood were also funded through Emmet County millage appropriations, transforming our facility into a warmer, more homelike environment,” explains Ashley.
“The timing of this effort aligns perfectly with the closure of Hiland Cottage and our ongoing renovation projects,” adds Ashley. Appleblossom neighborhood renovations are the next phase of this multi-year renovation process for Bay Bluffs.
“After months of review and hard work, we are thrilled to share our support with Bay Bluffs in Harbor Springs and their end-of-life wing initiative. It is very exciting to be on the ground floor and support them as they create a new section of their facility where intensive end-of-life care will be provided,” shares David McBride of the Friends of Hiland Cottage organization.
Established Infrastructure & Staff
Bay Bluffs is uniquely positioned to fill the gap created by the closing of Hiland Cottage. In addition to her intimate involvement in the creation of Hiland Cottage, Administrator Lisa Ashley spent 15 years as the Executive Director of Hospice of Little Traverse Bay and 4 years as the President/ CEO of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Michigan before taking her current role at Bay Bluffs. Bay Bluffs Director of Nursing Sonja Bosley, Medical Director Paul Blanchard, and Residential Neighborhood Coordinator Marie Spiewak also have backgrounds in hospice/palliative care.
Bay Bluffs caregivers hold multiple certifications covering the breadth and depth of all facets of long-term care, including comfort care, symptom management and pain control. “Our staff members meet rigorous standards and are dedicated to the job of caring for residents,” says Sonya Bosley, Director of Nursing at Bay Bluffs. “Bay Bluffs employs the best—from certified nurse aids to registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.” And, Bay Bluffs has already attained an exemplary record of patient safety, staff retention and high levels of satisfaction from residents and their families.
A Brief History: Hospice Care as a Given
The United States was late to the hospice movement, considering that hospice care began in England in the 1950s. Still, by the early 1980s, hospice care, and a new way of looking at the end of life, was taking hold in the states. In Emmet County, a hospice plan was created in 1981, achieved 501-c3 designation in 1983, and admitted its first patient soon after.
After thousands of donations, in all forms, plus years of growth and momentum, the dream of Hiland Cottage became reality and admitted its first patients in 2008. (The Cottage was named after Hiland Hall, a generous and steadfast supporter of non-profits in Emmet County.) Says Ashley, “With the closing, it is important for the community to know that Bay Bluffs, in partnership with community hospice providers, will fill the void. Our team has created an environment in which families and their loved ones can feel safe and supported at this critical time.”
Vision for Community Supported End-of-Life Care
Members of the Bay Bluffs collaborative partnership review progress of the Hiland Suites end-of-life suites in Harbor Springs: pictured left to right: Administrator Lisa Ashley with Friends of Hiland Cottage Louise Graham, Jeff Hall, David McBride, Bay Bluffs Board of Directors member Craig Lively.
Though the millage covers necessary renovations and infrastructure, the comfort features often found in hospice residential facilities are not. “Our partnership with Friends of Hiland Cottage and other compassionate organizations will allow us to enhance the designated suites and to ensure that no one in our community faces the end of life alone,” Ashley expresses.
“Thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Hiland Cottage, the Bay Bluffs end-of-life suites will be called the Hiland Suites to honor the hard work and dedication of my father Hiland Hall,” expresses Jeff Hall. “My father was instrumental in gathering community support for the construction of the Hiland Cottage Hospice, and we are thrilled to carry on his legacy.”
“Other organizations and end-of-life providers interested in collaborating or supporting our efforts and the region at large are welcome to contact me directly,” (231-526-4400 or lashley@baybluffs.org). Future efforts may include developing additional suites, supporting those unable to afford private pay, and creating volunteer programs.
In Conclusion
Bay Bluffs is the safety net for those unable to afford in-home care or assisted living and now end-of-life care, primarily those eligible for Medicaid. As a county medical care facility, owned by Emmet County, “Bay Bluffs is the only healthcare entity in our county that is driven by the community, for the community,” Ashley explains. “We truly represent the community we serve.”
“Hiland Cottage meant so much to so many people,” Ashley concludes. Bay Bluffs’ interdisciplinary team will carry on in its “whole person” approach to care, and its collaborative partnerships with Friends of Hiland Cottage and end-of-life organizations will help to provide dignified care for all who need it, today, and far into the future.
For more information about Bay Bluffs – Emmet County Medical Care Facility, visit baybluffs.org or call 231-526-2161.
Bay Bluffs – Emmet County Medical Care Facility is a community-based, long-term care facility with over five decades of service to the region. Colleagues utilize “Positive Approach to Care” training and techniques for residents with dementia to live safely and happily. Bay Bluffs is also a highly-regarded choice for short-term rehabilitation. Located in Harbor Springs, one of the Midwest’s most favored destinations, Bay Bluffs is in the heart of this vibrant center of culture, art, and abundant natural beauty.
In 2024 alone, Bay Bluffs garnered national attention with its inclusion in US News & World Report’s and Newsweek’s Best Nursing Homes of 2024. The facility is also listed among the top 10% of nursing homes nationally by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (Significantly, during the COVID emergency, not only did Bay Bluffs maintain statistically low infection rates among residents, but it also retained staff at a time when the healthcare industry nationwide was losing, and failing to replace, staff at all levels.) Bay Bluffs’ highly effective care model has been in place for decades, and it has become an example for other medical care facilities to emulate.
Donate to Support End-of-Life Suites at Bay Bluffs
- Little Traverse Bay Hospice Fund directed by Friends of Hiland Cottage, Petoskey-Harbor Springs Community Foundation Fund.
- Support Bay Bluffs Foundation online or call 231-526-2161.
End-of-life RESOURCES
- Bay Bluffs Admissions: 231-526-2161
- Hospice of Michigan: hom.org
- Career Opportunities — CNA in training, CNA, RN, LPN Positions Available: Email or 231-526-2161.