Fairfield County's 1st Hospice House Team to Discuss Legislative Changes Allowing for New Hospice Residence on February 21

Fairfield County's 1st Hospice House Team to Discuss Legislative Changes Allowing for New Single Home-Like Residence for Hospice Care

 In conjunction with the Westport Library, on Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 pm, the Fairfield County Hospice House (FCHH) will discuss how the team worked with legislators in Connecticut to enable multiple people to receive home hospice care in a single residence.

Julia Portale, MBA, MPH, LMSW, of Fairfield County Hospice House and Lynda Tucker, RN, of Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, will discuss the legislative changes as well as considerations when making decisions about hospice and thoughts on the end-of-life transition.

Julia Portale is the Executive Director of Fairfield County Hospice House. She has experience with start-up companies and overseeing the growth and development of home care, hospice, adult day care and geriatric care management services. She supports older adults and their families as they make important decisions about their lives and lifestyles, including expanding options for people near the end of life.

Lynda Tucker has been a hospice nurse since 1981. At Hospice of Cincinnati, she helped create StarShine, the pediatric hospice program at Cincinnati Children’s hospital. After moving to Connecticut, Lynda has cared for adults on hospice and has advocated for a residential hospice house for those who are unable to stay at home. Lynda currently works at Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County and helps people and their families in the end-of-life experience.

"We really have no choice how we come into this world.  I think there is a real sense of empowerment when we have some control in how you leave this world--or--how a loved one is going to leave this world."  Lynda Tucker, Hospice Nurse and Westport resident.

Fairfield County Hospice House

The Fairfield County Hospice House is constructing a residential house designed for people on hospice to receive end of life care and ensure comfort, dignity, privacy, emotional and spiritual support, and encourage involvement of loved ones.  The change in legislation paved the way for the construction of this six-bedroom, 10,000 square foot house located in a residential neighborhood in Stamford, CT just off the Merritt Parkway providing easy access to the lower Fairfield County community. “This is the first residential hospice house in the state of Connecticut and the Board of Directors are working hand-in-hand with the communities we will serve to help build the house,” said Larry Weisman, Board Member and resident of Westport.  All patient rooms will be single occupancy with individual baths and private outdoor spaces overlooking beautiful landscaping.  The house will offer rooms for families to stay overnight, comforting rooms for family gatherings, a playroom for children, a meditation room and outdoor porches and patios. The house will offer 24-hour care, a compassionate team of skilled healthcare professionals, life-enhancing therapies, a soothing spa bathroom, dining, laundry and housekeeping services. Volunteers will be there to help and ongoing bereavement support will be offered to families and friends.

“This is the first residential hospice house in the state of Connecticut and the Board of Directors are working hand-in- hand with the communities we will serve to help build the house,” said Larry Weisman, Board Member and resident of Westport. “The mission of the organization is to provide a home for people and their families at the end of life that offers the highest quality of care and life experience,” said Janet Nevas, Board Member and Westport native. Fairfield County Hospice House, Inc. (FCHH) is a501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2012.

For more info: www.fchospicehouse.org