CONSTRUCTION NEARLY COMPLETE ON OZAUKEE COUNTY’S

FIRST HOSPITAL-BASED HOSPICE RESIDENCE

Horizon Home Care & Hospice’s New Residence Opens June 27 at Columbia St. Mary’s Ozaukee

Mequon, WI – Construction teams are making the final touches on the new Horizon Home Care and Hospice residence located at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Ozaukee.  The medical community will begin to tour the hospice the week of June 21, the public is invited to an open house Thursday, June 24 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and patients will begin admissions on June 27.  The hospice is the first hospital-based hospice residence in Ozaukee County.

The new 14-bed Horizon Hospice residence will provide a caring, comforting and peaceful place for patients nearing the end of life, and their families.  Hospice is truly a unique form of health care in that Hospice, whether in the hospital, home or other care setting, focuses on care for both the patient and their families as opposed to cure.  Demand for Hospice is expected to grow as our community continues to age and more of us take on care giving responsibilities for aging or ill loved ones.   The new residence reflects the growth in a broader range of hospice options for southeastern Wisconsin.

“Horizon has worked closely with our partners Columbia St. Mary’s and Froedtert and Community Health to develop the best end of life care available in our community today,” said Mary Haynor, president and CEO of the non-profit Horizon Home Care & Hospice, which for more than two decades has been one of the state’s largest licensed, full service home care agency and hospice providers.

The hospice will serve patients from the entire Metro Milwaukee area including a patient base from five hospitals.  The new Horizon Hospice residence is located in a former labor and delivery unit and offers a number of home-like features including large-private rooms with overnight accommodations for guests, flat screen TVs, and private restrooms with whirlpool tubs or walk-in showers.  For visitors and patients alike there are private and semi-private family areas, computer and internet access, a large community living space featuring a kitchen, seating for dining, TV with DVD player and a fireplace, along with fresh flowers, baked goods and other donations from the community to help patients and families feel more comfortable.

Daniel Merline, RN, JD, has been named manager for the new residence. Merline joined Horizon one year ago with previous nursing experience in critical care at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee.  Additionally, he has a Law Degree from Marquette University.  Merline, like so many of his Horizon Home Care & Hospice colleagues, says he considers it a gift to be able to care for individuals, and their loved ones at the end of life.

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About Horizon Home Care & Hospice

Horizon Home Care & Hospice, a non-profit organization established in 1990, is the state’s second largest full service home care agency and hospice.  Horizon, in partnership with Columbia St. Mary’s and Froedtert and Community Health, is licensed to provide home care and hospice services, Medicare and Medicaid certified and accredited by The Joint Commission.  For more information, please visit www.horizonhch.org