Veterans Guest House in Reno is planning to offer a cost-free, private residence for veterans at end of life starting in June.
The Veterans Guest House, a Reno-based nonprofit committed to ensuring veterans have access to medical care, will launch a hospice home for terminally ill veterans in June, according to a news release.
Veterans Hospice Home, operated by Veterans Guest House, will be cost-free and supported by donations. The 5,170-square-foot home will offer private bedrooms, specialized equipment and ADA-compliant spaces. The non-profit will open its doors for its first resident in June with plans to accommodate up to six veterans by 2026.
Veterans Guest House purchased a second property in Reno to offer a nonclinical alternative for veterans to spend their final days. The hospice home will feature multiple common areas, a shared kitchen and an accessible backyard for residents and their families. Veterans will be encouraged to personalize their spaces with photos and items from home.
Veterans Guest House will incorporate national best practices from the Omega House Network, a nonprofit membership organization that has developed a blueprint for social model hospice homes.
“At Veterans Guest House, we’ve seen firsthand the challenges many rural veterans face in their final days,” Sylvia Froslie, CEO of Veterans Guest House, said in the news release. “They have limited resources and limited options.”
Nevada faces unique challenges in providing hospice care for veterans due to limited medical resources. The high costs of in-home hospice care, which can average over $5,000 per month, add further financial strain.
Veterans Guest House operates its flagship property at 880 Locust St., serving up to 33 veterans and family members a night who come to the Reno area for medical care. Along with complimentary lodging, meals, and transportation, Veterans Guest House offers a personal care assistant to support veterans with non-nursing post-operative care, medication management and adherence to medical guidance.
Veterans Guest House is seeking donations and volunteers for the hospice. For information, contact Patrice Klaich at patrice@veteransguesthouse.org or 775-324 - 6958, extension 14.