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American Cancer Society Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge-Nashville

American Cancer Society Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge—Nashville
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American Cancer Society's Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge
2008 Charlotte Ave.
Nashville, TN  37203
 

Staying With Us

At the Hope Lodge, we understand that undergoing treatment for cancer can be both financially and emotionally overwhelming. For many, treatment at Nashville medical centers provides the greatest hope, but requires that they are far from home, adding the additional burden of travel and lodging expenses. That is why the American Cancer Society's Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge offers lodging at no cost for cancer patients being treated in the Nashville area.


 Eligibility Requirements click to expand

The American Cancer Society's Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge serves the cancer patient population. One cancer patient and up to two adult caregivers per room are eligible to stay at Hope Lodge under the following conditions:

Patients:

  • Must sign a general release and waiver of liability form.
  • Must permanently reside 40 miles or more away from or have at least a one-hour commute to their treatment facility.
  • Must be 18 years or older of age or have a caregiver who is 18 years or older.
  • Must have a permanent home address.
  • Must be mobile.
  • Must be able to maintain the cleanliness of their room, kitchen/common areas or have a caregiver who is able to perform these duties.
  • Must provide written confirmation from a physician that they are free of infectious or communicable diseases.
  • Must be able to evacuate the building in case of emergency.
  • Must be able to care for themselves and prepare their meals or have caregiver able to perform these tasks.
  • IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT ALL PATIENTS HAVE A CAREGIVER. A patient staying without a caregiver must have a signed consent letter stating that the patient is mobile, able to stay alone and care for him/her self.
  • Bone Marrow Transplant and brain cancer patients and guests in wheelchairs are required to have a caregiver with them at all times.
  • Staff will assess on an ongoing basis guests’ ability to care for themselves. Staff will speak to guests and their social workers and/or physicians for their input. If a guest is staying alone and becomes unable to care for him/herself or becomes a burden to other guests or caregivers, he/she will be required to secure a caregiver or leave the lodge.
  • Individuals who meet these eligibility requirements will be welcomed regardless of race, creed, color, ethnic heritage, economic status or sexual orientation.


Caregivers:

  • Caregivers play a vital role in the healing process and as Hope Lodge guests are required to adhere to the following policies:
  • Must be free of communicable and infectious diseases, including, but not limited to, chicken pox, shingles, measles, mumps, and rubella. Those individuals with a cold or flu are asked to avoid visiting or staying at Hope Lodge.
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must be mobile
  • Must agree to adhere to all Hope Lodge policies
  • Must be able to care for patient including preparing and cleaning up after meals, ensuring patient gets to and from treatments, and cleaning room
  • Must be able to assist in evacuating patient safely from building in case of emergency, able to secure medical assistance for patient in case of an emergency and all other aspects of caring for the patient while at the lodge
  • Must sign a general release and waiver of liability form
     
 Admission Process click to expand
  • Upon arrival, all guests must complete an intake form providing various information such as name, address, diagnosis, diagnosis date, insurance type, etc.
  • All guests and caregivers must sign a registration agreement of Hope Lodge rules and liability release.
  • All referrals are processed on a first come, first serve basis and serve all cancer treatment centers within the given geographic service area, providing equal access of service to their patient base.
  • A referral does not guarantee reservation at Hope Lodge, as at times, there is a waiting list.
  • Priority is given to patients needing lodging for three or more nights to receive a minimum of three treatments.
  • Returning Hope Lodge guests must adhere to the same policies and referral procedures as all other guests including signing a current liability release form.
  • Patients and caregivers may be admitted no sooner than one day prior to treatment and must vacate the lodge no later than 24 hours following completion of treatment
  • For continued occupancy of a guest room, patient must receive out patient treatment a minimum of 3 days per 7 day period
  • Guest must notify Hope Lodge staff of any change in treatment plan and duration. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PATIENT TO COMMUNICATE SCHEDULE CHANGES.
  • Hope Lodge will require a new referral form any time there is a schedule change.
     
 What To Bring and Frequently Asked Questions click to expand
  • Toiletries – Bring soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
  • Personal groceries – The kitchens are equipped with stoves, microwave ovens, dishwashers, plates, pots/pans, and silverware so you will NOT need to bring your own dishes.
  • Personal pillows – The Hope Lodge has pillows on the beds but a lot of our guests still like to have their pillows from home.


What time can I check in?
Check in is between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. each day. The front desk closes at 10 p.m. so you must arrive prior to 10 p.m.

Can I bring a child with me?
Children are allowed to visit the lodge but only children who are the patients are allowed to stay overnight. A child is defined by the Hope Lodge as under 18 years of age.

Can I have visitors?
Visitors are allowed during the hours the front desk is open (8AM-10PM each day). All visitors must sign in at the front desk and wear a visitors pass.

Can I receive mail while I am at the Lodge?
Yes, have all mail addressed with the patient’s name and the following address:
American Cancer Society's Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge
2008 Charlotte Ave.
Nashville, TN 37203

Is there free transportation?
The Hope Lodge, with the assistance of volunteers, offers a shuttle ride for guests to and from treatment. The shuttle runs on a schedule each day. 8:00a.m., 8:45 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m. The shuttle does not run before 8:00 a.m. or after 4 p.m. each day. Vanderbilt does offer a free shuttle back to Hope Lodge after 4 p.m. weekdays.

Will I have a refrigerator in my room?
There is not a refrigerator in the guest rooms. However, in the first floor community kitchen area there are commercial refrigerators. Each room has two designated buckets in the refrigerators. There is one bucket in the freezer. Also, in the kitchen area each room has one lockable pantry cabinet. ALL FOOD AND BEVERAGES (with the exception of water and nutritional supplements for tube feeding) ARE TO BE STORED AND CONSUMED IN THE FIRST FLOOR KITCHEN/DINING AREA.
 

 Services Provided click to expand

In addition to the practical services we offer such as the laundry and kitchen facilities, we offer several programs that help manage the physical, emotional and practical challenges that cancer brings. The following are some of the programs regularly held in the American Cancer Society's Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge in Nashville. All programs are open at no cost to all cancer patients as well as their families and friends.

Look Good...Feel Better (Female Cancer Patients Only)
The Look Good...Feel Better program is a service that teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Women learn about makeup techniques, skincare, nail care, and options related to hair loss such as wigs, turbans, and scarves. Each group program participant receives a free kit of cosmetics for use during and after the workshop. This program is coordinated several times a year at the Hope Lodge.

Transportation
Free transportation is provided every day from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm to all local cancer treatment facilities.

Community Hosted Dinners
Several community and volunteer organizations provide dinner to Hope Lodge guests regularly. Student organizations, churches, businesses and other volunteers coordinate these special events. This is an excellent time for guests to meet and bond with each other.

Entertainment and Activities
Volunteers coordinate an array of different activities and entertainment for guests to enjoy. Activities include games, movies, singing, music and so much more.

Cancer Resource Center
At the neighboring American Cancer Society Patient Services Room, guests will find a Cancer Resource Center stocked with valuable information about cancer as well as items such as wigs and prosthesis for cancer patients.
 


Residency at a Hope Lodge facility is a courtesy extended at the sole discretion of American Cancer Society. All individuals who meet the Hope Lodge eligibility requirements will be welcomed regardless of race, creed, citizenship, physical disability, gender, color, ethnic heritage, veteran status, economic status, or sexual orientation. For admissions information, please select a Hope Lodge location.
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