Jessica's House
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Jessica‘s House is a three-bedroom, residential hospice providing end-of-life care in a home-away-from home for those facing a life limiting illness while supporting family and friends at a difficult time.

Is there a cost to stay at Jessica’s House?

NO, neither families nor residents will pay anything to stay at Jessica’s House regardless of the length of stay. This assumes you have an Ontario Health Card to pay for prescriptions. If you don’t have an Ontario Health Card, you will need to pay for your medications.

Why do you call people “residents” if the stays at Jessica’s House are usually only a few weeks?

Jessica’s House is a home-like setting. We think a home-like atmosphere is best created in all the little things we do including how we refer to people who come to stay at Jessica’s House. Family is also welcome to stay with their loved one.

How do I apply to come to Jessica’s House?

The first thing that needs to be done is the completion of a referral form. Family physicians or LHIN Care Coordinators can refer you to Jessica's House. Once the referral form is completed, they will fax, email or mail it to Jessica’s House. Once your referral form has been received, and you meet the criteria for Jessica's House, your name will be added to the Wait List and the Director of Care will call to inform you of this.

Once my name is on the Wait List, what happens next?

Residents are admitted to Jessica’s House based on specific criteria. These criteria will be discussed with you by either your family physician or LHIN Care Coordinator. The decision of who receives the next available bedroom is made by the Director of Care and Medical Director of Jessica’s House. The Director of Care will then call you to offer you a place at Jessica’s House and they will tell you what to bring, when to arrive, etc. 

Who will care for me while I am at Jessica’s House?

Our care team is made up of our Director of Care who is a Registered Nurse and nursing staff including Personal Support Workers and Registered Practical Nurses from Saint Elizabeth, the same service that provides nursing care in people’s homes. We also have a Medical Director who is a local and accessible physician who provides medical support if a resident’s own physician is unavailable. Our volunteers are an important part of the care team that will oversee the maintenance of the building, prepare meals and support families.

When can I submit a referral form?

Referral forms can be submitted and downloaded
HERE.

Do you only care for cancer patients?

No. All people with life limiting diagnosis are eligible for hospice care.

Who decides who gets the bed?

The Director of Care and Medical Director work collaboratively with your Family Physician and members of your care team, whether it be in the home or hospital to facilitate being admitted to Jessica's House.

What are the benefits of a Residential Hospice?

  • Provides support for not only the patient but the caregivers and loved ones 
    • The goal of palliative care is to provide comfort and dignity for the person living with the illness as well as the best quality of life for both this person and his or her family. A “family” is whoever the person says his or her family is. It may include relatives, partners and friends 
  • Variety of supports available including physical, emotional, cultural and spiritual 
    • An important objective of palliative care is relief of pain and other symptoms to improve the quality of life for residents and their family. Palliative care meets not only physical needs, but also psychological, social, cultural, emotional and spiritual needs of each person and family. Palliative care may be the main focus of care when a cure for the illness is no longer possible. 
  • Non-denominational, culturally sensitive 
    • Residential Hospice care is available to anyone regardless of race, national origin, colour, political affiliation, religion, age, sexual orientation, economic circumstance or disability. Residents live out their final days with dignity in a way that honours their belief and value system.

Who can stay at Jessica’s House?

Patients will include every single person who wishes to come, regardless of age, gender-identity, economic status, race or religion.

Do you have to live in Huron County to access Jessica’s House?

Residents can come from anywhere in Ontario however it is best if people access hospice care closest to their loved ones. We want to make it easy for families to be together during this difficult time. 

How do we access Jessica’s House for a loved one?

By either having conversations with your family doctor or LHIN Care Coordinators and they will make a referral to Jessica's House.

How can I continue to support Jessica’s House?

People will often recognize important life moments such as birthdays, anniversaries and the loss of a loved one to provide opportunities to remember and support Jessica’s House, encouraging family and friends to donate in honour of those they love. 


There are many ways you can make a gift to Jessica’s House: 
  • Memorial Donation
  • Donation by cash, cheque, credit card or online
  • Join the monthly giving program (fits all budgets, easy to set up)
  • Gifts of appreciated securities and other personal property such as stocks, bonds or life insurance.
  • Gift in Will

Who do I write my cheque out to?

Cheques can be made out to Jessica's House. Donations can be mailed to or dropped off at 70776 London Road, Exeter, ON, N0M 1S1.

Still have questions?

If you would like to learn more about Jessica’s House, give us a call at 519-235-0941 or email Tracy Snell at directorofcare@jessicashouse.ca.