FAQs

What is hospice? 
Hospice, in the earliest days, was a concept rooted in the centuries-old idea of offering a place of shelter and rest, or "hospitality" to weary and sick travelers on a long journey. Today, hospice care provides humane and compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible. The hospice philosophy accepts death as the final stage of life. The goal of hospice is to enable patients to continue an alert, pain-free life and to manage other symptoms so that their last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones. Hospice affirms life and does not hasten or postpone death. Hospice care treats the person rather than the disease; it focuses on quality rather than length of life. It provides family-centered care and involves the patient and the family in making decisions. Hospice care can be given in the patient's home, a hospital, nursing home, or private hospice facility. Most hospice care in the United States is given in the home, with a family member or members serving as the main hands-on caregiver. (For more information - www.hospicefoundation.org)

What is a hospice house?
A hospice house is a place where terminally ill people go when they are interested in physical and emotional comfort rather than potentially heroic efforts to cure. It is designed to resemble a home, and the staff provides the caregiver tasks that allow patient, family and friends to spend more time together.

Can anyone come to Solvay Hospice House?
Solvay Hospice House provides 12 rooms for people at the end of life. Solvay Hospice House is open to all, as rooms are available, regardless of where you receive your care, of income, and of where you live.

How do I refer a friend, family member or patient to Solvay Hospice House?
If you want to refer someone to Solvay Hospice House, fill out this form and e-mail it to us. We will respond to your request as quickly as possible.

How long is the typical stay?
Based on the experience of other hospice houses, the average length of stay for hospice house patients is about 17 days. Respite or palliative care patients typically stay at the hospice house for up to five days.

How much does it cost?
Patients and families are responsible to privately pay for room and board.  Occasionally, health insurances may cover some or all of the room and board. Generous community support of Solvay Hospice House and Miller-Dwan Foundation through memorials, gifts in your will and other contributions guarantee high quality care for patients and families.

Why was Solvay Hospice House created?
While for most people, the ideal hospice setting is their own home, not everyone has the support or resources to die at home. Solvay Hospice House brings the expertise of hospice care into the warm and welcoming environment of a home setting. It gives hospice patients and families a place that provides 24 hour, high quality, compassionate end of life care.

Can my regular doctor still care for me here?
In hospice, the patient and family support system is the primary unit of care. All care is coordinated through the primary physician and provided by the hospice team. The Solvay Hospice House care team empowers the patient and family to make challenging end-of-life decisions. They guide each person and his or her family/support system in developing an individualized plan of care that identifies physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Some patients use every benefit, while others only need a few services.

What is St. Mary's Hospice and Palliative Care?
The basic principle of St. Mary's Hospice & Palliative Care program is to support people in living until they die. That means we embrace patients and their loved ones with support that helps them along this path. Our goal is to provide an extraordinary level of service to ensure that you and your family receive the compassion and dignity you deserve at the end of life—allowing you to live life to the fullest. St. Mary's Hospice provides these services throughout the Northland.

What is the Miller-Dwan Foundation?
The Miller-Dwan Foundation is the only independent, public, medical foundation in the region working to improve the health of our communities. The Foundation supports the well-being of the people of northeastern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin and northern Michigan. The Foundation is committed to carrying out the wishes of donors, improving the delivery of health care services, supporting health care education and advancing treatment through medical research.

How do I get to Solvay Hospice House?
Solvay Hospice House is located at 801 Baylis Street in Duluth, Minnesota. View a map and directions, as well as other contact information.

What do the rooms look like?
Spacious private bedrooms include a large bathroom, exceptional patient beds, entertainment center, sleeper chair and comfortable seating, as well as sliding glass doors to private patios overlooking beautifully landscaped grounds. See our virtual tour for a view and description of Solvay Hospice House patient rooms and other features of the Solvay Hospice House campus. This attractive residence is located on 9.2 acres of wooded land at 801 Baylis Street in Duluth, Minnesota.