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Work continues on a project that will give families of patients traveling to Wausau, Wisconsin for treatment a place to stay.
The Aspirus Family House, located near Aspirus Wausau will provide temporary housing for patients and families of those traveling for long-term outpatient care, as well as families whose loved ones are hospitalized.
More than $4.6 million was raised through the Aspirus Health Foundation for the project.
The Family House will include ten bedrooms with private bathrooms and shared living spaces designed as a home-like environment, conducive to healing and support from our community and others going through similar health experiences.
Guests of the Family House will be served by dedicated staff and volunteers. Community groups will provide additional support.
The renovation of the building purchased for the project can now begin following a groundbreaking celebration held on Tuesday and the Family House will begin serving guests in January 2020.
The Aspirus health system serves patients in 14 counties across northern and central Wisconsin, as well as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated system includes four hospitals in Michigan, four hospitals in Wisconsin and 50 clinics throughout the region.
According to Aspirus, Inc. CEO, Matthew Heywood, “The entire Aspirus team in Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan works tirelessly to ensure that our patients have access to both excellent local health services and world-class specialty care.”
Heywood shared, “We know that the cost of housing is a burden to our most vulnerable patients and families. That is why we are proud to create the Aspirus Family House to help patients and families with temporary housing during a difficult time in their lives.”
Darrell Lentz, President of Aspirus Wausau Hospital, remarked, “I want to say a personal thank you to our community and medical partners for joining Aspirus to create this family house as a safe, affordable, temporary home away from home for patients and families traveling a significant distance to receive critical specialty care.”
The Aspirus Health Foundation invites individuals, businesses, and groups in our community to help support the people who will stay at the Family House when it opens in January of 2020. Details about the project and future donation and volunteer opportunities will be available online at aspirus.org/familyhouse. Sign up for the e-newsletter to stay connected.
