The LaVigne Home for Compassionate Care recently welcomed the public to its open house, inviting the community to explore its new hospice and end-of-life care center.

Located in Genesee County and serving both Genesee and Lapeer counties, LaVigne Home offers a compassionate and peaceful environment for individuals approaching the end of their lives along with support for their families.

During the open house, visitors had the opportunity to tour the home, meet with staff, and learn about the various services offered. The home is designed to provide a comforting and tranquil atmosphere with spacious rooms and quiet spaces for reflection.

Holistic End-of-Life Care

The LaVigne Home for Compassionate Care emphasizes a holistic approach to hospice care, focusing on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of guests and their families. Director Jennifer Bauder, who spoke at the open house, shared insights into the home’s mission.

“Our mission speaks to exactly what we want to provide in the community,” said Bauder, explaining the center's founding principles. “We are providing exceptional end-of-life care and support to terminally ill people in their final days of life regardless of income and ability to pay.”

LaVigne Home for Compassionate Care is located at 4085 Lapeer Rd. in Burton, MI. (Courtesy photo)Bauder added that each guest receives food, shelter, and 24/7 personalized care at no charge to those in need.

This mission addresses a growing need as nearly 1.61 million people in the U.S. receive hospice care annually, according to statistics from hospicehomes.org. With approximately 50% of Medicare beneficiaries utilizing hospice services, the importance of access to compassionate care facilities like LaVigne Home cannot be overstated.

The need is especially pronounced in rural areas like Lapeer County where healthcare access may be more limited.

Beyond medical care, LaVigne Home offers a variety of services aimed at emotional and spiritual support. Bauder highlighted the importance of these services in contributing to a well-rounded care approach.

“All caregivers were personally selected and trained to provide physical care as well as emotional and spiritual support in coordination with the guest’s hospice team,” shared Bauder.

The staff at LaVigne Home for Compassionate Care held its open house on July 29, 2024. (Courtesy photo)Community Involvement and Open House Success

The open house was a significant moment for the LaVigne Home team, allowing them to showcase their services and engage with the local community. Bauder noted that many attendees shared the team’s excitement to serve the existing needs within the community.

“It was an extremely positive response with attendees feeling relaxed and calm and not feeling as though they were in a home, but more of a home,” said Bauder. “The LaVigne Home will help to fill the needs of those needing 24/7 care at the end of
life. It may not be for everyone, but for some, it is everything.”

The event was well-received with visitors expressing gratitude for the chance to learn more about hospice care in a setting that felt warm and welcoming.

While the tour of the home provided valuable information, the real heart of LaVigne Home lies in the experiences of its guests and their families. During the interview, Bauder reflected on a recent guest who had received care at home.

“Our first guest did not have family in Michigan who could provide compassionate care,” said Bauder. “The family was very fortunate to have found us to provide comfort care to their dear family member, knowing they could call at any time to hear how she was doing.”

Looking Ahead

With the success of the open house, LaVigne Home is looking to continue its mission of providing compassionate care and expanding its services to the broader community.

When asked about future plans for the home, Bauder explained that the center surveys guests as an ongoing strategy to explore new ways to improve its offerings and ensure they meet all guests' needs.

She also shared her optimism to meet with other community members and organizations that share LaVigne’s mission of supporting guests and their families.

A room inside LaVigne Home for Compassionate Care. (Courtesy photo)One of the biggest misconceptions about hospice care, according to Bauder, is the understanding of hospice as a Medicare benefit.

“Those who have a terminal diagnosis and are no longer able to receive treatment or desire to take treatment would qualify for the benefit. However, it does not cover room and board or 24/7 caregiving,” she shared.

Bauder emphasized that the word hospice has a negative perception, and this is something LaVigne Home is trying to shift.

A Vital Resource for the Community

As LaVigne Home for Compassionate Care continues to serve families in Genesee and Lapeer counties, it remains a vital resource for those in need of compassionate end-of-life care. Through personalized medical care, emotional support, and a dedication to dignity, the home ensures that patients and their families are not alone in navigating the difficult path ahead.

For families interested in learning more about LaVigne Home and the services they provide, Bauder encouraged reaching out to schedule a tour or consultation.

“We are operating our home on a first-come-first-serve basis,” said Bauder. “We are happy to be able to provide our resources to the community. Our director, caregivers, and board members are happy to help.”

LaVigne Home for Compassionate Care is located at 4085 Lapeer Rd. in Burton, MI. To learn more about their services, visit hospicehomes.org or call: 810-214-2852. Also, find them on Facebook.