Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County Unveils State-of-the-Art Hospice House at Ribbon Cutting Event

Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County celebrated the grand opening of its state-of-the-art Hospice House on Thursday, July 22, with a ribbon cutting event at the facility (3230 North County Road 25A, Troy, Ohio 45373).  

The 31,180-square foot Hospice House will serve hospice patients who require a higher level of care than they can receive at home. It will provide pain and comfort management for patients and allow family members to rest and receive support from the staff of Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County in a beautiful setting. 

“Our world-class Hospice House will provide a home-like environment for patients at end of life, as well as house the administrative offices to support the entire interdisciplinary care team,” said Carey Short, executive director of Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County. “Our new facility also has training rooms for staff and volunteers in addition to community education rooms.”  

Since 2014, Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County has served the community with a seven-bed inpatient unit at Upper Valley Medical Center. In addition to those served at the inpatient unit, Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County serves 150 patients daily, on average. The new Hospice House will allow for expanded capacity and a permanent home for Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County.  

“As more Ohioans turn 65 every day, an increasing number of people are facing the end of life, while managing more than one complex illness,” Short said. “As we considered the future of the community and its needs, we realized that a plan for facility growth and a free-standing Hospice House would be needed.” 

Located on the campus of Upper Valley Medical Center, the new Hospice House is set to accept patients in early fall.  

“We’re honored and privileged that we can meet the needs of our community,” said Tom Hagan, chair of the Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County Board of Directors. “At Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County, we provide superior care and superior services to anyone in our community facing end-of-life illnesses, regardless of their ability to pay. There is no out-of-pocket expense to the patient or their family ever.” 

The new Hospice House features: 

• 12 patient-care rooms. 
• State-of-the-art equipment, including ultraviolet cleaning, ultrasound, call system and medicine dispenser. 
• Opportunities for patients to be outdoors. Each patient room will have an exterior door that is wide enough for patient beds to be moved outside to access the attached patio. 
• Outdoor space that includes a reflection area that is tranquil and nature filled. 
• An interfaith chapel that provides space for prayer, meditation, celebrations and services. 
• A youth room that is a designated space for children and teens who are spending time in the Hospice House with their family. 
• Family space in each patient room so loved ones can have a comfortable area to sit, sleep and work while being close to their loved one. 
• Steven’s Room, a cozy and homelike gathering room for family and friends, featuring comfortable seating, books, games and a fireplace. 
• A spa room for patients will offer massage, a spa tub and hair services. 
• On-demand room service will be available from our state-of-the-art kitchen to meet the needs of patients. 
• The Pathways of Hope^SM Community Bereavement Center is a space open to families and the entire community. 

The Hospice House is being funded by an overall $12 million capital campaign that includes support from individuals, corporations and foundations in Miami County and the surrounding areas. Funds raised through this campaign will be used to cover expenses related to the construction of the new building and state-of-the-art equipment that furnishes the facility.  

“We’re grateful to the community members, corporations and foundations who have supported our mission to provide superior care and superior services to the patients and families served by Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County,” said Lori Poelking-Igel, president of Ohio’s Hospice Foundation. “We thank them for helping us build a world-class Hospice House so we can continue to serve patients and families in this community, regardless of their ability to pay.”  

For more information about naming opportunities, please contact Ryan Gathard, director of Fund Development, at 937.335.5191, or Poelking-Igel at 937.258.5537.  

Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County also is recruiting volunteers for its new Hospice House. Volunteers bring a hospitality cart to patients and families to help make them more comfortable during their stay. For more information, please contact Beth Shrake at 937.335.5191.  

Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County, an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice, has been serving patients in Miami County and surrounding areas since 1983. The not-for-profit hospice is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those facing life-limiting illnesses. Its outstanding care has earned recognition from the prestigious Hospice Honors program of HEALTHCAREfirst and Deyta Analytics.