Care Without Cost
Abraham House admission is not based on income level or ability to pay. Although current program and service costs are $394 per day per guest, we never bill guests or families for services provided, nor do we collect insurance reimbursements. It is hoped that guests and family members will provide Abraham House with reasonable financial compensation dependent upon their individual ability to pay. We also respectfully request that you keep Abraham House in mind for donations and/or obituary mention.
Criteria for Admission
Candidates for Abraham House are individuals with a terminal diagnosis and a prognosis of three months or less who are in need of round-the-clock loving care and desire a home-like environment.
Admission to Abraham House is prioritized based on need and not necessarily on a first come-first serve basis. We pre-evaluate all potential admissions and accept guests on a case by case basis. Preference is given to those who are determined to have the highest level of need.
Referrals are welcomed from any source including family members, hospitals, physicians, and home care agencies.
Our goal is to provide appropriate pain and symptom management so our guests’ can have a peaceful and comfortable quality of life during their final days.
Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order needs to be in place prior to admission. Staff and volunteers at Abraham House are not authorized to perform CPR or call 911 for lifesaving measures.
We accept guests who require oxygen, catheters, colostomies, IV pain management pumps, or tracheostomies, as long as they meet all other standards and we are able to safely provide the necessary level of care.
We do not accept guests who receive intramuscular or subcutaneous injections (including insulin) as Abraham House caregivers are not authorized to perform injections. If arrangements are made for necessary injections to be administered by someone other than Abraham House staff, admission exceptions may be considered.
For the safety and comfort of our guests, we admit individuals whose weight can be safely managed by our caregiving staff. As we may have only one caregiver on duty at times, our general guideline is 200 lbs, with consideration given to a guest’s mobility and height.
Our trained surrogate caregivers provide 24-hour care, however there may be times when we ask family members to sit with a guest to help provide comfort during periods of agitation.
Guests may smoke outside only when there are 2 caregivers available so that they may be accompanied at all times. All tobacco products, lighters, and matches are to be kept in locked custody of Abraham House staff at all times.
Abraham House does not have designated visiting hours. Family and friends are welcome to visit at any time without restriction.
Guests who are able may temporarily leave if accompanied by a responsible family member or friend. A Release of Responsibility / Leave of Absence Form must be completed and the guest must take a copy of the DNR with them.
Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. provides the medical care plan and case management for our guests. Therefore, all potential Abraham House guests must also be patients of Hospice. Hospice can be contacted at (315) 735-6484 for additional information.
We understand that this is a difficult time. Abraham House was established to make the situation a little easier by providing the loving care that terminally ill individuals need and deserve. It is a privilege to care for someone during this time in their life. Thank you for your faith and trust.
For further information, please call Abraham House at (315) 733-8210.
