Read quick facts about Four Seasons’ inpatient unit, Elizabeth House, below.
What is Elizabeth House?
It is a common misconception that inpatient facilities, like Elizabeth House, are where hospice care is provided. In reality, most hospice care is provided in a patient’s home, no matter where that is. Elizabeth House and other inpatient facilities like it are designed for symptom support that can no longer be provided in the home environment, and for respite care. Many patients have a temporary stay at Elizabeth House and return home once their symptoms are managed. For others, Elizabeth House provides support to a peaceful end of life.
What is Elizabeth House like? What can I expect in terms of care?
At Elizabeth House, patients receive round-the-clock care. Patients receive physical support for their symptoms, as well as spiritual and emotional support. Families and caregivers are also provided with spiritual and emotional support.
Elizabeth House provides a home-like, peaceful environment for you and your loved one. Guests are welcome and encouraged. Each patient room includes comfortable seating for visitors and families, as well as a patio. You may also use the common area’s kitchen, dining, and seating areas, which also include a coffee and tea counter. Outside, you may also find peace in sitting or strolling through the garden.
View a visual tour of Elizabeth House.
What is Respite Care?
Elizabeth House provides up to five days of respite care as part of the hospice care benefit. When you, as the caregiver, need rest, Elizabeth House can help. This level of care must be coordinated and planned ahead of time; your hospice care team will assist in doing this for you.
Care Team
Your care team at Elizabeth House includes a physician, nurse, CNA, chaplain, music therapist, social worker, and volunteer. Volunteers are professionally trained to provide support to your family and our staff in a variety of ways.
Common Misconceptions about Elizabeth House
My loved one is dying if they need Elizabeth House
While it is true that some patients’ symptoms are severe and need to be managed at Elizabeth House until their natural death, many others experience a temporary stay and return home. The primary goal of Elizabeth House is to manage symptoms in order for the patient to return home when possible. Your hospice care team will help you understand your loved one’s needs if they require a stay at Elizabeth House.
Elizabeth House and hospice care use medication to hasten death.
Hospice care neither hastens nor delays death, but rather relieves suffering. Morphine is often used to provide comfort and peace to patients who are experiencing symptoms that cause severe discomfort and suffering. Relief from these symptoms provides your loved one with peace and comfort. At times, it can even help them to stay present so that they can express their final thoughts and hear yours. Pain and suffering don’t have to be part of the dying process.
At Four Seasons, we understand that the complexities of medication and healthcare can cause fear and uncertainty. We are here to answer any of your questions and ease your concerns as you seek the best care options for your loved one. Contact us anytime to discuss your loved one’s wishes, your questions, and more. Or, talk with your care team if you are already in our care.
Learn more about the truth about morphine in hospice care.
If I choose Elizabeth House, I’m giving up control of my loved one’s care.
Your loved one’s care wishes and goals are the center of their care plan with Four Seasons, including at Elizabeth House. Your hospice care team will ensure those wishes are honored if your loved one is transferred to Elizabeth House, and will help communicate comfort treatment recommendations and options. Your loved one, if they are able, and/or you, if they are unable, continue to direct the care plan.
Read a family story about how their loved one requested a stay at Elizabeth House and directed his care plan until his natural death.
Who can stay at Elizabeth House?
Anyone in our 14-county service area who meets Elizabeth House’s eligibility criteria may request a stay. Contact your Four Seasons hospice care team to discuss eligibility and coordinate a stay. If you are not in Four Seasons hospice care yet, please contact us today to enroll in services.
