Center for Hospice Care’s Milton Village and Kaleidoscope Programs Offer Innovative Support for Patients

As people age and everyday tasks become more challenging, having compassionate support can make all the difference in navigating the later stages of life. At Center for Hospice Care, patients and their families have access to specialized programs and levels of care designed to help them cope with serious, advanced illnesses—and live as fully and comfortably as possible.

One of the organization’s standout services for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or dementia is Milton Village.

“This is a collaborative partnership with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana,” said Mike Wargo, vice president and chief operating officer of Center for Hospice Care. “Milton Village has two components. One focuses on caregivers, providing them with resources and support for their role. The other is the Milton Adult Day Services program, run by Center for Hospice Care, which offers day services for people living with dementia.”

At Milton Adult Day Services, caregivers can drop off their loved ones during the day, giving them respite while participants enjoy engaging activities in a safe environment. Unlike traditional adult day programs, Milton Village emphasizes freedom of choice.

“Our unique model is designed to give people freedom in how they spend their time,” Wargo said. “Whether someone wants to stay busy, play bingo, or watch a movie, they have options. People can move freely throughout the facility and choose what they’d like to do at any moment.”

Milton Village also serves as a bridge to Center for Hospice Care’s palliative care services.

“This program works with a population affected by dementia, and it naturally connects to our palliative care services,” Wargo explained. “Palliative care is available for people who aren’t ready for hospice but are facing life-limiting illnesses like cancer, heart disease, or congestive heart failure. Hospice care is intended for those with a prognosis of months rather than years, while palliative care helps people manage chronic conditions and maintain quality of life.”

Center for Hospice Care provides palliative care in two ways. Patients can visit the outpatient Center for Palliative Care on the Mishawaka campus, or they can receive care at home through the Kaleidoscope program. Many patients transition between these services as their needs evolve.

“We’re here to provide additional support and serve as another resource,” Wargo said. “We work alongside patients’ primary care physicians and specialists. We’re not replacing their doctors. Instead, our focus is on coordinating care plans as thoroughly as possible, both clinically and socially.”

Currently, Center for Hospice Care sees about 125 palliative care patients in its outpatient clinic. The organization also operates two inpatient hospice units in Elkhart and Mishawaka, offering additional levels of care when needed.

Beyond palliative and hospice care, the organization offers a wide range of services, including home health care, pediatric care, and innovative specialty programs like HeartWize, which serves patients with end-stage congestive heart failure, and BreatheEazy, designed for people with chronic pulmonary diseases such as COPD. 

“There are specific steps we take to ensure we’re caring for patients and families in the best possible way,” Wargo said. “Understanding patients’ primary diagnoses helps us follow care plans that keep them comfortable. One of our goals is to help patients avoid emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Near the end of life, most people prefer being in the comfort of their home rather than returning to the hospital.”

Two years ago, Center for Hospice Care was honored with the Circle of Life Award from the American Hospital Association, highlighting its innovative efforts among more than 1,000 hospitals nationwide. Programs like Milton Village and Kaleidoscope exemplify the organization’s forward-thinking approach to patient care.

“I’m grateful that we’re able to provide so many different types of services here,” Wargo said. “We’re the only hospice program in north central Indiana offering this range of services. There are only seven Medicare-certified inpatient units in Indiana, and we operate two of them. This year, we’re celebrating 45 years of caring for patients. Looking back on my 28 years here, I’m truly grateful for the opportunity and proud of the work we do.”

For more information about Center for Hospice Care and its services, visit cfhcare.org.