Aspirus Family House: A Hidden Treasure For The Community
7/28/2023
Karen Commiskey, Former Guest and Current Volunteer at Aspirus Family House
The Aspirus health system serves patients across
Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated system
includes four hospitals in Michigan, 13 hospitals in Wisconsin and 75 clinics
throughout the region. Our patients have access to excellent local health
services, and world-class specialty care.
Every year, thousands
of people travel from the regions served by Aspirus Health hospitals and
clinics for specialty care at Aspirus in Wausau. This includes patients
traveling for long-term outpatient care, as well as families whose loved ones
are hospitalized, and patients traveling for early or late-day appointments. It
can be a challenge for some patients to find affordable lodging. That’s where
the Aspirus Family House comes in.
“The Aspirus Family House is called a ‘home away from
home,’” says Tasha Stencil, Aspirus Family House Manager. “We offer a safe,
affordable place for people to come when they have early morning appointments,
a longevity stay, daily cancer treatments at Aspirus Cancer Care, or they have
a loved one staying at the hospital.” Stencil says a donation of $35 per night
per room is suggested for guests staying at the facility, though no guests will
be turned away based on inability to donate.
The Aspirus Family House is located across the street
from the Aspirus Wausau Hospital (AWH) on the corner of 28th Avenue and Westhill Drive and complimentary transportation is
provided for medical appointments or hospital visits. There are 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.
“I tell people there were three equal parts to my
treatment. One was radiology, one was chemo and the third one was the Aspirus
Family House,” says Karen Commiskey, former guest and current volunteer at the
Aspirus Family House. “It felt like a home to me."
Karen was unfamiliar with the Wausau area when she
learned she would need cancer treatment at Aspirus Cancer Care – Wausau,
located within AWH, which at times required her to have two daily radiation
treatments. She says she doesn’t know what she would have done if it weren’t
for the Aspirus Family House.
“It’s a supportive refuge and haven for people going
through difficult times,” says Karen. “It’s more than just housing. There’s
support, kindness and patience for people who are struggling. It’s incredible.”
The facility is different from a hotel in that
patients and families are referred by health care providers, social workers,
referral coordinators and other Aspirus team members based on need (financial,
distance traveled, degree of illness, and duration of treatment, etc.). Guests
are served by dedicated staff as well as volunteers like Karen, who has now
permanently moved to Wausau and volunteers at the facility twice a week.
Karen says, “it has a peaceful, supportive vibe about
it. The staff works very hard and they’re supportive without being intrusive.
It’s just a beautiful place to be.”
The Aspirus Family
House was established and is operated solely on donations.
Karen adds,
“everything is donated here. It’s beautiful what they’re doing with what they
get. They make every donation go as far as they can for the people who need the
resources here.”
The Aspirus Health
Foundation invites individuals, businesses, and groups in our community to help
maintain the Aspirus Family House through charitable donations or volunteer
work. If you would like to help support the Aspirus Family House, please call 715.847.2470
or 715.847.2714. For more information, visit www.aspirus.org/familyhouse.
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