Hospice House

                                 "A Home for Caring"

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History of plan for development of facility

In May 1998, a member of the Lancaster community approached Hospice of Fairfield County Leadership inquiring of any proposed plan for the building of an inpatient unit for hospice patients that were unable to stay in their homes.

The question was triggered by the needs of her family to transfer her 32 year old daughter to a Columbus impatient hospice unit several years earlier.  She had young children and the family situation did not enable her to stay at home due to her care needs.

Although no plans were in place, it stimulated the question: "Is a hospice inpatient unit needed and would it be supported by the community?"  In November 1999, a feasibility study was commissioned by the Board of Trustees to be performed by Matrix Architects of Dayton, Ohio to evaluate the question "Is a hospice inpatient unit needed."  The results of the study validated the need in Fairfield County.  Based on the finding, a preliminary plan was put in place to:

1. Identify and secure land.

2. Develop a cost evaluation and layout of the project.

3. Develop a rendering of the proposed facility.

In April 2000, an individual agreed to donate land to the organization.  A preliminary facility layout was completed in July 2000.  Based on these activities, a study to answer the second question, "Would the community support the project?" was initiated in September utilizing The Philanthropy Group of Columbus, Ohio.  The results of this study identified that support did exist.  Based on these findings, the Board of Trustees of Hospice and Health Services unanimously agreed to move ahead with the project.

Who would use the facility?

The primary focus of the facility is to create an 8 bed inpatient unit for hospice patients who are unable to stay at home, need acute symptom management or need respite care to allow their caregivers a break in care provision.  The goal is to continue to encourage patients to remain in their home but to develop an alternative when needed.  Currently, when these needs occur the patient ends up being placed in the hospital or nursing home, which are not always equipped to meet the patient's needs.  In addition, the individual does not want to be there.  The facility will also house the organizations operations.

Goal

The goal of the facility is to provide as home-like environment as possible for the individual and their family during the last days of life.  Families will be able to come and go as they need.  The room will be big enough to accommodate the families in need in addition to the patients.