History

Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties is a non-profit organization started by interested individuals working with terminally ill individuals, who realized that all too often there are individuals who have nowhere to go to receive end-of-life care. Often when someone is terminally ill, they lose the ability to care for themselves or live independently. Frequently, friends or family assist with and provide 24-hour care, unfortunately, some individuals have no family or friends available to provide caregiving. Limited resources are available for those who need 24-hour caregiving due to their terminal condition. Although home hospice care is a service that can be offered, however, hospice nurses do not stay in the home. spice is a Medicare benefit that covers medications, medical equipment, and visits but does not provide 24/7 individual caregiving. There are no facilities in Genesee or Lapeer County for individuals to receive 24/7 end-of-life care. Medicaid will support room and board in a long-term care facility, however, all facilities such as assisted living and adult foster care homes require out-of-pocket payment for room and board.

Efforts to provide a residential place for those in need, and relieve mental, physical, and financial burdens from the patient and/or family began in 2017, with regular meetings at a local restaurant. By 2018, the first steps included securing 501(c)3 status as an official non-profit organization. Following 501(c)3 designation a Board of Directors was established. Over the past 6 years there have been various fundraising efforts which contributed to increasing community awareness and raising funds to support the mission. Also, interested community individuals joined subcommittees to support our ongoing goals.

In November of 2023, we purchased a home in Burton Michigan which was supported by a generous donation from the Barbara LaVigne Estate. At this time, the Board elected to remove the medical facility label and name the home “LaVigne Home for Compassionate Care, reflecting the vision of the home that will be represented to the community- a compassionate care home for those in need.