Admissions
Admission is based solely on need, regardless of religion, age, sex or race. Each resident must be under the care of a certified home healthcare agency for proper medical care and case management. A prospective resident currently living in Genesee or Wyoming county may apply at any time. Crossroads House is able to provide for up to two residents at a time.
Crossroads House will provide each resident with a loving, warm home and excellent care and support. We look at the family's ability to give adequate 24-hour care, whether their needs are physical, emotional or spiritual. We will provide care to those dying individuals with a prognosis of death occurring from within a few days to three months. The resident will be provided with personalized care free of charge.
We offer a comfort ministry to no more than two residents at a time, along with their family members. Crossroads House will provide family conferences every two weeks or as needed to keep the family or primary caregiver updated on residents and assess the family or primary caregiver coping abilities and provide guidance as necessary.
•> Click here to download a Referral Form. [pdf]
For Crossroads House Families
Crossroads House is a unique “Comfort Home for the Dying” dedicated to providing support and care for a person in the last phase of a life-limiting illness. We serve as an alternative living arrangement for those who are no longer able to be cared for in there own home and offer quality time with each resident. We desire the family’s involvement and support in order to be fully effective in this unique ministry.
Comfort care does not cure, or change the course of the terminal illness. We do not use intravenous fluids, feeding tubes or resuscitation. The family and resident need to agree that they desire only pain management and symptom control.
Ours is a community outreach ministry, which provides palliative (comfort) care for those beyond curative or aggressive treatment. The resident maintains control and is assisted through this time of transition. We are there to support, so as to decrease the stress and anxiety of the residents and their families.
Crossroads House is a short-term program, normally three months or less. If a remission in the terminal nature of the disease should occur, the resident will be re-evaluated as to their need for continued comfort care at Crossroads House. At that time we may request that you seek other suitable long-term placement.
Staff is composed of nurses, nursing assistants and volunteers. There is always a nurse on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It takes approximately 60 volunteers a week to fill the schedule. They are men and women from the community who are expected to do the types of things you, the family, might do to assist with care of your loved one. (Prepare simple meals, change linens, chat and provide companionship, bathing, oral care, administering medications, etc.) They are not nursing personnel, but are dedicated selfless volunteers trained to ensure a quality of life for your loved one.
Because Crossroads House is a respite for the terminally ill, we encourage open conversation about the condition of the resident and encourage the family to participate in dialogue so they know that their loved one’s needs and wishes are met.
Expectations for the Family
Crossroads House expects the family to provide food for the resident, either in the form of the food or funds with which our volunteers may shop for the resident. Crossroads may ask family to pick up medication for your loved one from the pharmacy. In rare instances due to circumstances beyond our control (weather, sickness, holidays, etc.) Crossroads may not be able to provide the second volunteer for a four hour shift. At this time we will need the family to provide care for your loved one for that particular time period.
Giving Back to Crossroads House
Crossroads House is a privately incorporated, not-for-profit home. Although it costs $530.00 per day to keep Crossroads House open, our services are provided free of charge. The questions most commonly asked of us are "Where does your money come from?" and "How can we help?" We need your help in the form of funding, volunteer assistance, memorials, in-kind donations, support of fund raising drives, etc.
"DOLLARS FOR DOERS": Check out if your employer is affiliated with the program that encourages volunteering and rewards deserving not-for-profit organizations in your community!
FUNDING: Crossroads House does not receive any funding from governmental agencies or medical insurance companies. 100% of our funding comes from charitable sources. Since our criterion for acceptance is based on need, we rely very heavily on the generosity of those who can afford to help us. Even the smallest gifts make a difference and are greatly appreciated.
VOLUNTEERS: The greatest gift of all is that of self. Our volunteers give countless precious hours as caregivers, as staff, as board members, and as committee members, who raise funds, write grants and newsletters, do maintenance, and share their expertise whenever needed. The average commitment for a volunteer is four hours weekly.
MEMORIALS: Some of our money comes from gifts given in memory of loved ones or friends. Most of our residents or their families choose to give all or a portion of their memorial gifts to Crossroads House to help us to provide care to our future residents. Many in the community choose to give memorials for those who are not cared for at Crossroads House when appropriate, knowing what a valuable gift this home is to our community.
IN-KIND DONATIONS: Some of our support takes the form of items, which are needed, for the house. A "wish list" is available upon request.
MATCHING FUNDS: If an employer offers to match an employee’s charitable contribution, please let them know about your gift to us.
WILLS/ENDOWMENTS/LEGACY PROGRAMS: We believe that the future of Crossroads House will rely on the wisdom of those who have the vision to provide us with financial long term security by designating larger gifts through yearly pledges or wills.
UNITED WAY: Crossroads House is approved as a Donor Option Agency for Erie County, Monroe County, and Genesee County. Donor option #2330.
SEFA (State Employees Federated Appeal): Crossroads House is approved for the Greater Rochester 2009 campaign. Donor option #99 00505
PUBLICITY: Any articles such as "Letters to the Editor" the family can write to publish the quality of care given to loved ones at Crossroads House helps to spread the word about our mission and the level of care given to our residents will be greatly appreciated.
It is our hope that as we walk with you during this part of life’s journey, the stress and anxiety for the whole family can be diminished. Life is precious to us and we appreciate your trust in us as we care for you as a family.