When a traumatic health incident results in hospitalization far from home, family members may find themselves faced with the unexpected challenge of securing nearby lodging to remain close to their loved one. ThedaCare hopes to help ease that challenge by offering some families of trauma patients respite in a newly constructed guest home.
ThedaCare Home Away From Home is intended to help reduce concerns over hotels and Airbnb properties and keep the focus on supporting a family member undergoing trauma care in the hospital. The single-family, Nantucket-style home, located near ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah at 525 Lincoln St., was made possible through the generosity of the ThedaCare Foundation-Neenah and Bergstrom Automotive.
Construction of the secure, private, healthcare hospitality guest home is indicative of ThedaCare’s commitment to providing patient-centered care, said Barbara Beuscher, chief philanthropy officer, ThedaCare Family of Foundations.
“Supporting patients and families extends beyond the care provided within our hospitals. Thanks to the generosity of Bergstrom Automotive, more families will have access to a welcoming place to stay close to their loved ones during treatment and recovery,” Beuscher said. “This partnership reflects what is possible when community members invest in helping others and in strengthening access to care close to home.”
ThedaCare Home Away From Home features a garage, full-service kitchen, laundry room, bedroom and living space. It provides temporary lodging for families needing to remain close as their loved ones heal from a trauma care experience.
It is the fourth healthcare hospitality guest home ThedaCare offers to patient families. Two similar ThedaCare homes are also in Neenah. Another one is in Appleton. There is no charge for stays at any of the homes.
Accommodations at the new home are available to all patient families but trauma patient families are prioritized.
John Bergstrom, executive chairman of Bergstrom Automotive and Foundation-Neenah board member, said his organization is proud to support the home.
“At Bergstrom Automotive, we believe in investing in the communities we serve and supporting families during life’s most challenging moments,” he said. “We are proud to partner with ThedaCare on the Home Away From Home project, which will provide comfort, convenience and peace of mind for families who need to remain close to a loved one receiving care. We hope this home will make a meaningful difference for many families for years to come.”
Research has shown having family members in close proximity during a patient’s hospital stay may lead to better health outcomes. That’s because loved ones often may serve as vital, non-clinical partners who can help positively influence a patient’s healing by:
- Providing emotional and psychological support.
- Assisting with decision-making and communication between clinicians and patients.
- Acting as an extra layer of monitoring and advocacy, potentially catching issues early.
Offering the home to families of trauma patients is another way ThedaCare actively supports patient healing, Beuscher said.
“Together, we are easing burdens, providing comfort and support and making a meaningful difference for families when they need it most,” she said. “By helping families remain close during difficult times, we can ensure that each guest can focus on what matters most – healing, hope and living their unique best life.”
Visit the ThedaCare Family of Foundations for more information about ThedaCare Home Away From Home and the impact of donor support.
