4MyChild: Help and Hope for Life

November 21, 2006

Traveling for Medical Treatment: Hosts for Hospitals May Be Able to Help

The purpose of Hosts for Hospitals is to provide lodging and support at volunteer homes for families traveling to the Philadelphia area for specialized medical care.

Many times families or a parent traveling with their child cannot afford or find anywhere to stay when their child is hospitalized. Michael Aichenbaum and his network of volunteer host families help parents and families in just this predicament. Beginning in 2000 HOSTS for HOSPITALS arranges lodging at low cost or no cost for parents who need somewhere to stay.

Thousands of families travel to the Philadelphia area for specialized medical treatment. Local hospitals specialize in helping children with cerebral palsy and other chronic conditions.

The aim is to not only provide a place to stay, but a supportive caring environment so when a mom or dad returns to the hospital each day they are refreshed and strengthened, better able to help their child or loved one.

HOSTS for HOSPITALS is open to families regardless of race, faiths or nationality. Requirements to be a guest in HOST for HOSPITALS home are:
• lives so far from the hospital that commuting is difficult or impossible
• has a permanent home to return to;
• is an important support person for a patient receiving medical care at a Philadelphia area hospital; and ,
• is unlikely to put the host family at risk in any manner.
Cost to stay in a host home is minimal or zero. Most families charge you nothing to stay in their home. Some families may charge a small fee of 15.00 each night and 5.00 for each additional guest per night but this is rare and you will be placed in a home where payment is required only if you agree in advance.
If able you make a donation to host family or to the hospital.
For more information or to apply to be a host family or guest please visit HOSTS for HOSPITALS.