About the Hospice House
The Sawtelle Family Hospice House offers compassionate care to patients with terminal illness that no longer responds to curative treatment. VNA of Middlesex-East opened the house in 2003 for individuals who are unable or prefer not to receive hospice care in their own home. These individuals may live alone or have a spouse who is too ill or frail to provide the care they require; they may have adult children who live many miles away or are unable to provide the 24-hour care their parent needs. Parents with young families may choose residential hospice care to avoid the anxiety for their children that may be precipitated by end of life care at home. Others choose this type of care because they simply prefer coping with a terminal illness in a more secure and structured surrounding.

The 9-bed facility is located in an antique colonial home on 320 Haverhill Street in Reading, MA. The space is thoughtfully designed with many amenities and conveniences. Each of the nine private patient rooms includes a comfortable sitting area for families and friends. Seven of the bedrooms have private bathrooms and all include a television, phone and internet connection. Common areas include two community kitchens, a dining area, great room, library, living room, and four-season sunroom. We also have three private guest bedrooms that staff make available to family during needed times. The beautifully landscaped grounds offer two large gardens where patients and their visitors can sit and relax in peaceful surroundings. Visitors are welcome 24 hours a day and pets may visit.

Services Provided
An average length of stay for Hospice residential care is 20 to 35 days, however, a stay could be up to six months or as little as three days, depending on the individual and course of illness. Services provided at the Hospice House include:

Costs
Medicare, Medicaid, managed care plans and insurances cover the care, medications, and medical equipment provided at the Hospice House. Patients pay privately for room and board and a sliding fee scale is available. However, increasingly more insurances are paying for room and board costs.

The Hospice House is open to all individuals facing terminal illness, regardless of ability to pay. No one will be denied admittance based on financial need.

Volunteers
Volunteers play an important role at our Hospice House. They help prepare meals, shop for food, tend the gardens, and help with personal care of patients. Most important they are there for patients and families by being sensitive listeners and thoughtful companions.
Click here for more information about volunteering.

Charitable Support
The Hospice House is a nonprofit, community based organization that depends on charitable contributions of individuals, businesses, corporations and foundations. There are many ways you can lend your support.
Click here to learn more about donating.