Resources
Find what you need.
When those who need us are feeling overwhelmed and lost—both physically and emotionally—we ease the burden and provide an oasis of serenity that allows them to focus on what really matters.
Find hospital contacts, tips, encouragement and professional support here. Click below options to go directly to what you’re looking for.
Hospital Contacts
Baptist Healthcare
Case Management Department
Palliative Care
1000 W. Moreno Street
Pensacola, FL 32501
850-434-4011
Sacred Heart Hospital
Case Management Department Palliative Care
5151 N. 9th Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504
850-416-7000
West Florida Hospital
Case Management Department Palliative Care/Hospice Care
8383 N. Davis Highway Pensacola, FL 32514
850-494-3212
Select Specialty Hospital
Case Management
7000 Cobble Creek Road
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-473-4800
Caregiving Resources
Caregiver Action Network (www.caregiveraction.org)
CAN is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.
Family Caregiver Alliance (www.caregiver.org)
FCA supports and sustains the important work of families nationwide caring for adult loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions.
MoneyGeek Caregiving Guide (www.moneygeek.com)
This guide will help prepare you for managing the day-to-day activities for a parent, spouse, sibling, or adult child with a chronic condition who cannot care for him or herself.
Navigating the Healthcare System
National Transitions of Care Coalition (www.ntocc.org)
This guide helps individuals with transitions between a hospital stay and aftercare.
Agency for Healthcare Research Quality (www.ahrq.gov)
This guide includes tips and questions to ask doctors.
Spiritual & Emotional Guidance
As we are a faith-based facility, we do not promote any particular church or faith. ALL are welcome here. Should you request a particular pastoral counselor, we will be glad to suggest several from our area and even call them for you.
We welcome the privilege of placing your sick loved one on our prayer chain and literally sending that prayer out across the world to pray for them and your families.
SECU Family House Breathing & Relaxation Techniques (www.familyhousews.org)
This PDF guide from SECU Family House shows us a simple relaxation technique in the form of deep breathing for stress relief.
Healing the Spirit Support Groups (healingthespirit.org)
If you’re dealing with grief, there are support groups in the area that can help. Check them out here.
Additional Resources
Communicating with a Child (wondersandworries.org)
If you need to talk to a child about a loved one’s illness or trauma, this website provides tips on how to do so clearly and thoughtfully.
Financial Assistance Programs (www.familyhousews.org)
Find financial assistance resources for prescriptions and more with this helpful PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Family House?
Family House is a term widely used to describe a place for family members to stay when a loved one is experiencing a healthcare crisis. When family members have to travel out of their county or state to be with their loved one, it can be difficult to find and sustain accommodations for a variety of reasons. We are here to ease the financial and mental burden for families by offering a home away from home in their time of need.
2. Who can stay at Martha’s Vineyard: The Family House?
Anyone in need of long- or short-term housing can stay at the Family House; however, Martha’s Vineyard books rooms based on referrals only, and on availability. Speak with your Case Manager to discuss if you may qualify for free lodging at the Family House. If you qualify, your Case Manager will write a referral to us. Families must live greater than 30 miles from Pensacola, FL. Only families with referrals will be allowed to book accommodations at the Family House.
4. How long can I stay?
The Family House is managed by a small team of passionate people, and space is limited. We operate on a first-come-first-serve basis and each patient’s stay is reviewed case-by-case. If space is available, we’ll work with you and your Case Manager to accommodate any special requests for short- or long-term stays.
5. Is there a wait time?
In some cases, same-day booking may be available. Call us to see if there is a wait time for staying.
6. What defines a qualifying “medical crisis, hardship or emergency?”
A qualifying medical crisis or hardship may include, but is not limited to, trauma resulting in inpatient hospitalizations at any of the following units: Emergent Critical Care, Intensive Care, and Palliative or Hospice Care. However, there are many factors that determine a healthcare crisis. Please consult with your Case Manager to determine if your situation qualifies you for a referral to the Family House.
7. How many people can stay at The Family House?
Currently, we can sleep three adults in each of our three rooms in the main house. There will be two additional rooms available in main house when updates are completed. There are also two (2) one bedroom room efficiency apartments for our out-patient chemotherapy/infusion/radiation patients patients in our carriage house.
8. Are there any restrictions for guests?
At this time, house guests must be 16 and older and live greater than 30 miles from Pensacola to qualify as a house guest. We do not offer lodging for the homeless. If you are coming to stay as an out-patient chemotherapy/infusion/radiation patient or kidney transplant patient, please understand you MUST have a caregiver that can stay with you 24/7.
9. What is provided at the Family House?
Martha’s Vineyard Family House operates similarly to a bed-and-breakfast. Free services include food/meals/beverage and laundry service. Some toiletries may be provided, based on availability. The Family House also sits on an enclosed residential lot with a secluded back yard. Access to support services (such as worship service, counseling etc.) is available. If there’s something specific you need, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your requests.
10. What do I need to bring with me?
Depending on the length of your stay, your needs will vary. Guests are encouraged to bring essential items such as personal toiletries and hygiene products, clothing, transportation and any medications for the duration of your stay. Should you forget something, ask a staff member – we probably have what you need!
11. How can I make a donation?
We accept all forms of donations, including monetary, wish-list items and donations of time via volunteering. If you’d like to get involved or donate money, click here for ways to get involved.