In August of 2005, the McLeod Hospice House officially opened to the public with a ribbon cutting and drop-in.  The Hospice House is located at 1203 East Cheves Street.

A patient’s environment can be crucial in maintaining comfort and peace of mind during a terminal illness. The goal of McLeod Hospice has always been to allow patients to die at home, in familiar surroundings, with dignity and privacy.

To care for those patients who are unable to stay at home because they require symptom management or they are actively dying and do not wish to die at home, McLeod Health broke ground in May of 2004 on a 20,000 square-foot Hospice House for McLeod Hospice patients in need of acute inpatient care. The facility includes 12 private rooms especially designed for the comfort of the patients and to offer space for families to be with their loved ones during their stay.

“The McLeod Hospice House is not just bricks and mortar, but a symbol of the Hospice philosophy and goals. It is a place where people will live their final days in comfort and dignity, and where caregivers work with their hands and their hearts,” explained Joan Harrison-Pavy, Administrator of McLeod Hospice. “This facility is a natural extension of our mission at McLeod Hospice. It allows us to diversify the options available to terminally ill patients in the Pee Dee and offer them an important alternative when they cannot die at home. At the same time, the Hospice House can also provide temporary care, support and hospitable accommodations to patients who may want to return home to die."

The beautiful, serene surroundings of the McLeod Hospice House meet the needs of the patient, family and the community through:

• A Resource Room for education of patients, families, and the community.
• A Chapel where anyone can come to pray, reflect or meditate.
• Gardens and a Courtyard where the warmth of the sun can warm the heart and renew the spirit.
• A Bereavement Care Room, adjacent to the patient rooms, that serves as a quiet place for private family time.
• A Family and Reception Area to provide ample space for families to be together.
• A Kitchen/Dining Area for families to prepare a meal.

“The objective of the McLeod Hospice House is to provide a connection with nature for the patients,” said Pavy. “Integration of indoor and outdoor spaces promotes wellness and has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety for patients and families. The visual and physical connection with nature offers therapeutic value. The McLeod Hospice House provides this connection through an enclosed courtyard, patios for each patient room and surrounding gardens for meditation and sanctuary.”

An alternative to hospital care for inpatient services, the McLeod Hospice House features a home-like environment where visitation is open any time of day for visitors of all ages, including pets.

Reasons for admission to the Hospice House may include the following:

• Signs of the dying process.
• Uncontrolled agitation or anxiety.
• Uncontrolled pain or shortness of breath.
• Uncontrolled bleeding, nausea or vomiting.
• Treatments that are not responding to care at home.
• Caregivers who need additional training before taking the patient home.