Because life matters & every moment counts...
Supporting loved ones through critical health decline is often cost-prohibitive. We aim to restore familial commitment through compassionate support that makes "holding space," and "being present" possible.
Michigan faces a silent care crisis and families are paying the price
As of 2024, The median monthly cost for care in a nursing facility is more than $8,000.00. Similarly, for assisted living, the median cost can be upwards of $5000 per month. Lower cost options exist at around $2000. However, quality of care is brought into question, given limited time and caregiving resources. If one decides that neither of these options are ideal, they can opt for a home health aide. However, the cost for this service is on average, more than $5000 per month. Average household incomes in America are most often, less than the amount it would take to cover annual costs while managing their own household needs.
When an individual or loved one is in decline and requires extra support, it can be very challenging for their communities of care to provide the aid they really need. As a result, families may feel forced to exhaust their loved one’s assets to become Medicaid-eligible. Unfortunately, it becomes complicated quickly, to remain home with a well-meaning caregiver who has insufficient time and resources to manage the responsibility of caregiving.
According to a Kaiser Foundation poll, most Americans prefer to die at home, but a gap in support exists that will prevent most Americans from the luxury of this choice. Consequently, those facing a terminal illness are burdened with not only facing their last days, but often experiencing shame, stress, and frustration over the burden that their situations create further for their lives and the lives of others.
The quality of care for non-medical support outside the home also presents concerns. As licensed caregivers strive to make financial ends meet, they often manage heavily disproportionate patient to staff ratios due to frequent staff shortages. Sacred Life Care Initiative was created with the vision in mind to fill the gap existing for support to those who are dying. To create access to choice, and to bring sacredness back to one of life’s most pivotal periods of transition.
Are you between the ages of 45 and 64?
If you are between the ages 45-64, you belong to a population category that comprises 20% of end-of-life care recipients for chronic illness and cancer diagnosis according to Market.us Media.
There are many factors that impact a family’s ability to support those they love at end-of-life. Caregivers cope with not only adapting to life-altering events, but managing work and family can become a confusing and overlooked challenge to facilitate.
Palliative and Hospice care are very helpful in supporting client comfort, but their invaluable services do not include extensive non-medical care. Loved ones shoulder the responsibility for those who die at home, and even the most willing and determined families can benefit from some additional support.
Closer look at diverse communities
Members of multiple non-white populations are more likely to die in a hospital setting and be subject to more aggressive and intensive treatments. These include repeat hospitalizations and ER visits even if one has already reached terminal status. This often chaotic “back-and-forth” is due to multiple factors and among them is a lack of awareness regarding available options, access, and the lower likelihood to utilize hospice or other services.
Adult age 65 years or older?
If you are 65 or older, you are part of the largest demographic for receiving end-of-life care and your population comprises 70% of all end-of-life care recipients, globally. Women are 60% of this group and men, 40%. Unfortunately, African Americans are much less likely to utilize end of life care services due to mistrust in the healthcare system, cultural preferences regarding care, and less access to information regarding end-of-life care. We hope to build more trust across communities, regardless of race or other factors because we believe that all life is sacred.
It is helpful to know you are not alone while moving through significant change. This is why we advocate for communal support. Sacred Life Care Initiative reinforces these values by engaging our communities and responding with compassion and through partnership.
I’ve seen many families (including my own) suffer on a metaphorical island while their loved ones die without sufficient care. We can really use more excuses to give and accept love, in place of refusing or denying it, no matter our circumstances.
