Why might someone need end of life/hospice care outside of their home?

While most of us wish to receive care at home, this isn’t always possible. Managing pain, delirium and other terminal symptoms can be challenging in a home setting. Additionally, not everyone has caregivers who can fully support their comfort needs during their final days. A hospice residence or nursing home provides the necessary medical support, allowing family members to focus on being present rather than acting as caregivers.

Why is Bay Bluffs providing hospice care?

Bay Bluffs partners with community hospice providers and offers comfort/palliative care for residents and families who choose not to have hospice at the end of life. Bay Bluffs is NOT a licensed/certified hospice provider and does not intend to become one. However, Bay Bluffs does provide end-of-life care, comfort care, and palliative care for residents every day.

What makes Bay Bluffs the best location for end of life/hospice residential or inpatient care?

As a skilled nursing facility, Bay Bluffs provides 24/7 nursing and medical care in a homelike setting with Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Certified Nurse Aides (CENAs). The facility offers similar amenities to Hiland Cottage, such as a small kitchenette and spa room, and has staff trained in comfort care, symptom management, pain management, and end-of-life care. The team at Bay Bluffs collaborates with many local hospice providers. Hiland Suites will offer private suites where the patient (resident) and their family can receive the comfort care they need in privacy.

What are the benefits of having end-of-life suites within the nursing home?

The goal is to ensure that individuals can die with dignity and comfort, surrounded by those who love them. The Hiland Suites provide private rooms with space for families to gather, while also accommodating the medical care that may be required at the end of life. With only a few private rooms, these suites will offer a peaceful, comfortable, private, and homelike environment for Bay Bluffs residents in their final days and for community members on hospice who need additional care.

Who owns Bay Bluffs?

Bay Bluffs is the Emmet County Medical Care Facility, owned by the residents of Emmet County and operated by the Department of Health and Human Services Board. It is the only part of the local healthcare continuum that is truly community-owned. As the saying goes, “If you’ve seen one nursing home, you’ve seen one nursing home!” Bay Bluffs is unique—it’s owned by the community, for the community, and operated by a community board and leadership team. To learn more about Bay Bluffs, please visit www.baybluffs.org.

Who is paying for the renovations at Bay Bluffs?

There are two funding sources for the Hiland Suites project. Emmet County capital millage appropriation for renovation of Bay Bluffs is addressing the cost of routine, skilled nursing facility infrastructure (i.e. beds, resident room furniture, updated fixtures and finishes). The family portion of each of the Hiland Suites is being funded through community contributions raised by the Friends of Hospice of Little Traverse Bay, held at the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

Why wasn’t Bay Bluffs used for hospice residential care previously?

Residents moving into Bay Bluffs for long-term care remain at Bay Bluffs through their final days. Some enroll in hospice care, and some do not. End of life care is part of the “every day” care in a high-quality nursing home. At the time the Hiland Cottage was being developed, Bay Bluffs had no capacity for additional beds nor additional services. Over the last 20 years the resident population of Bay Bluffs has changed, community needs have changed, and the pandemic has provided an opportunity to incorporate the Hiland Suites into Bay Bluffs renovation plans.

Where might people come from who would use Hiland Suites?

Some may already be enrolled in hospice care at home and others will be residents of Bay Bluffs. The primary service area of the facility is Emmet County, however we do care for those from outside the county if capacity allows.

How are folks admitted to the Hiland Suites?

If someone is enrolled in hospice care at home and requires respite care or general inpatient care, the hospice provider will contact Bay Bluffs with the referral to the Suites and the admission process will begin there.

What is the admission criteria?

Admission criteria includes having a terminal condition with limited life expectancy, pain or symptom management issues, frail or no caregiver at home, or imminently dying.

What is the expected length of stay in the Highland Suites? 

It is expected that the Suites are not a long-term stay but rather the last few days/weeks of life.

Who pays for care at Bay Bluffs?

Bay Bluffs is a licensed, certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing home. When someone lives at Bay Bluffs and is in hospice care, generally one or both insurance providers cover much of the cost of care. In some circumstances, room and board is paid for privately by the individual/family. Each individual situation is assessed at admission to ensure the least out of pocket expense for individuals based on their insurance coverage. The current private pay room and board rate at Bay Bluffs is $365 per day.

Who are community partners involved in the Hiland Suites project?

Aside from the Friends of Hospice of Little Traverse Bay and Bay Bluffs, Hospice of Michigan has been an active part of the visioning process. Other community hospice providers have expressed interest in the project and are engaged in creating the opportunity for their patients and families to utilize the suites. For more information about Bay Bluffs – Emmet County Medical Care Facility, visit baybluffs.org or call 231-526-2161. Donations to support the ongoing work of Friends of Hiland Cottage can be made through the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation at phsacf.org.