 |
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|||
|
For Prospective Guests «« Return to FAQ group list How does HOSTS for HOSPITALS service differ from other hospital-related housing? HOSTS for HOSPITALS provides lodging through volunteer-hosts who have a spare bedroom in their home. This service is available to all potential guests regardless of a patient's age or illness. ↑↑ top Who are the hosts? Our hosts are ordinary people in all walks of life. At the same time they are extraordinary in that they are willing to share their home with people in need. The host homes range from apartments to brownstones to single-family homes. Before being accepted into the program, HOSTS for HOSPITALS screens each host and conducts an on-sight inspection of the host's home. Hosts are also trained to be sensitive to guests' feelings of stress and concern for their loved ones. Hosts know to respect the privacy of their guests and thus will not expect you to socialize with them unless you wish to do so. ↑↑ top What services do the hosts provide? Your host will provide you a clean and comfortable place to sleep, a bathroom and a feeling of home. Your host will also provide you directions to the host home, to your hospital, to grocery stores and to the nearest publc transportation. Hosts, though, ARE NOT required to provide meals or transportation--these are the responsibity of the guests. Many hosts, however, are happy to help out in these and other areas, such as by making their kitchen available at least for light meals. Whatever additional services your host wishes to provide will be explained to you when you first speak with your host by phone. ↑↑ top Which hospitals does HOSTS for HOSPITALS provide service to? We accept guests associated with patients receiving treatment at any hospital within the area of Greater Philadelphia, including Southern New Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware. ↑↑ top Who may be a guest? HOSTS for HOSPITALS is open to guests of all races, faiths and nationalities provided that the guest:
↑↑ top I am also a patient...may I be a guest? When a patient is to be a guest we STRONGLY RECOMMEND that a support person be with the patient. If the patient will be alone as a guest the patient must be able to independently take care of him or herself. Depending on the patient's physical condition we may require that a Philadelphia area medical worker or some other person whom we accept confirm in writing that if during the patient's stay the ability to be self-sufficient is lost, that person will then be responsible for finding the patient lodging elsewhere. ↑↑ top Do I pay for this service? 99% of the time hosts do not ask for any type of payment from their guests. Hosts do, however, have the right to ask for expense reimbursement of up to $15/night for the first guest and $5/night for each additional guests--this payment is made by the guests directly to the hosts. Please note that HOSTS RARELY ASK FOR SUCH REIMBURSEMENTS, and you will only be placed in a home where reimbursement is required if you agree so in advance. Such reimbursement is separate from any donation which you may make to HOSTS for HOSPITALS--donations from our guests do help us help other families in the future. ↑↑ top How do I apply to be a guest? An application form needs to be filled out. This is ususally done through a short phone call to our office--though hospital personnel often have application forms available which may completed and sent to us. You may also apply email us to have the application emailed back to you: info@hostsforhospitals.org. On the application we will ask your specific needs as a guest, so that we may then match you with a host-home where your needs may be best met. ↑↑ top What is involved in the screening process? We require a personal character reference for each guest age 18 and above. This reference person is usually a physician or other health care provider from the guest's home community. We need to know that the guest is considerate, reliable, responsible and able to manage independently within the host's home. The rule of thumb is: would I invite this person to stay in my own home? In addition, it is important that all potential guests be free of alchohol or other substance dependency, and, be without threatening mental health problems. ↑↑ top How soon are guests placed once the application/referral process is completed? Once the referrel process is complete, we will immediately review our network of hosts for a host-home where your needs may be best met. Once we confirm that that host-home is available, we will then call you with the host's name and phone number. Though we ask that we normally be given a number of days to place a guest at a host home, often the entire process can be completed upon the same day upon which we first receive the referral, assuming that we are able to reach the person providing the personal character reference for the guest. ↑↑ top What happens next after I am given the name and phone number of my host? Once we notify you of your host, we ask that you call this host as soon as possible to coordinate arrangements for your stay. At this time you and your host will discuss house-guidelines regarding hours, meals, habits, use of phone, etc. We also ask that you confirm your stay with your host 48 hours before you are expected to arrive at your host's home. As your host will be expecting you at the agreed upon day and time, we ask that if there is a change in your plans, you alert both your host and our office. Courtesy in this regard is greatly appreciated. Please note that any additional guests who have not gone through the screening process will not be able to stay at the host home until a reference check is completed for them. ↑↑ top What do I do when I arrive at my host's home? When you arrive your host will provide a liability release form which all adult guests must sign. You will also be given a guest brochure, guest survey and return envelope. After you leave, please send us this survey so that we may evaluate our program. ↑↑ top |
 |
||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||