Aspirus Family House

FAQs

• What is a Family House?

  The Family House at Aspirus is a safe, affordable, temporary home away from home for patients traveling to Wausau to receive critical medical care and families dealing with serious illnesses or medical crises of their loved ones. The Family House is different than a hotel in that patients and families will be referred from physicians, social workers, referral coordinators, and other team members at Aspirus and Aspirus Network based on need (financial, distance traveled, degree of illness, and duration of treatment, etc.). The Family House is served by dedicated staff in addition to volunteers and community groups to provide support for patients and families.

• Why is a family house needed?

  Thousands of patients and families travel beyond 50 miles to receive inpatient care at Aspirus Wausau Hospital and for outpatient medical care at Aspirus and Aspirus Network. Many of these patients and families can afford housing and will support our 12 local hotel partners who have established reduced rates. However, our most vulnerable population of patients and families cannot afford housing even at reduced rates, so they will either forgo care, or they will sleep in their cars in parking lots, in waiting rooms, and in hospital rooms on cots like they, unfortunately, do today. These patients and families need our help with housing.

• How Can Guests Stay at the Aspirus Family House?

  A stay at the Aspirus Family House is based on need determined by providers and staff within the Aspirus Network. Guests are only accepted through a referral from Aspirus Network providers and/or staff members in Epic. A referral does not guarantee that a room at the Family House will be available. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Who Can Stay at the Aspirus Family House?

  The Family House is intended for patients of all ages and their caregivers and family members traveling for long-term outpatient care, as well as families whose loved ones are hospitalized, and patients traveling a significant distance for early or late day appointments. Need for housing is based on financial need, the distance a patient/guest are traveling beyond 50 miles, and the length of time that outpatient treatment is needed.

• What is Needed for Guest Identification?

  Guests will be required to provide a photo identification card, such as a driver’s license, and a copy will be kept on file at the Family House for security and safety purposes.

• When do guests check in?

  Check-in is between noon and 2:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday (seven days a week). If guests are arriving outside of check-in hours, please contact the Aspirus Family House staff to make other arrangements. 715.847.2548

• How long can guests stay?

  Guests can stay as long as active medical treatment is being provided that requires the patient to stay near the hospital or clinic.

• What is the cost of the room?

  The Aspirus Family House relies on donations and the generosity of community members to help cover the true costs of operating the family house.

  A donation of $35 per night, per room is suggested. The Family House staff will accept your donation at the time of registration upon your arrival. We work with all guests to accommodate their financial situations, and no one will be turned away due to financial ability.

• Is there a housekeeping service?

  The Family House is designed to be a home away from home, so maid service is not provided. Linens and towels will be provided for guests to use. Guests are asked to clean their own rooms and do their own laundry. Cleaning supplies and laundry detergent are provided for guests at no cost.

• How many rooms may guests have?

  One room is allowed per guest or family. Each room has two queen beds designed to house up to 4 guests per room.

• Is the House Handicap Available?

  Yes, all rooms are located on main level.

• What is provided in each room?

  Guest rooms feature two queen beds with a private bathroom, chair or couch, dresser, television, sheets, blankets, towels, alarm clock, flashlight, hangers, luggage rack, hamper, and cleaning supplies.

  Upon request certain rooms have medical refrigerators. A Pack & Play, Wheelchair, and sharps containers, and a DVD Player are also available.

• Where is the Aspirus Family House?

  The house is conveniently located across the street from Aspirus Wausau Hospital on the corner of Westhill Drive and 28th Avenue.

  2801 Westhill Drive, Wausau, WI. 54401

• What services are provided?

  The common areas of the Family House feature a beautiful lobby area, fully equipped kitchen, dining room, family room, wellness/exercise room, library, Wi-Fi, DVD player and free laundry facilities. A shuttle is available to provide transportation to and from the hospital and clinics on the Aspirus medical campus during weekday business hours.

• What does the Aspirus Family House supply?

  We supply everything you’ll need to make the Family House your “home away from home” including linens, towels, alarm clock and cleaning supplies.

  There is a free laundry facility with detergent supplied for guests.

  In the kitchen, pots, pans, and utensils are provided for food preparation. Guests are provided with their own locked cabinet space along with designated freezer and refrigerator space for their groceries. Guests should bring their own food, and several local grocery and convenience stores are located near the Family House.

• Are pets allowed?

  Pets are not allowed. Certified service dogs to accommodate the disability of a guest at the Family House are allowed with advance approval. Guests are entirely responsible for meeting the service dogs needs while staying at the house.

• Can guests have visitors?

  Yes, visitors are welcome at the Aspirus Family House. Visiting hours are between 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends All guests are required to sign in and out in the lobby.

• Are Children Welcome to Stay at the Family House?

  Yes. Children are welcome. We are “child friendly, but not child proof.” We do require that children are up to date with their immunizations and that minors under the age of 18 years be accompanied by an adult at all times in the Family House.

• Is smoking allowed?

  There is no smoking inside or outside the Family House at any time. Aspirus is a smoke free campus.

• Can family members take turns staying at the house?

  Yes, we allow guests to have one room with up to 4-guests per room. Family members staying at the Family House can be rotated by notifying a staff member of a change in guests.