Help! Child in NICU mom needs budget hotel for long term

[2angelsinheaven]

Help!
I figured I could post here and someone might be able to help out my friend. She has a daughter who is and will be in the NICU at Arnold Palmer in Orlando until atleast mid march. Because of all the medical problems and cost she has lost their apartment and now is in need of a place to stay. What she needs is a hotel or efficiency in Orlando area OR Melbourne, fl at a decent weekly rate. We're talking 200 or less... perferably around 150. Anyone have any good codes or any suggestions. We've tried calling a few places and explained the situation with no luck. She needs some place starting tomorrow...

The reason I say Melbourne or Orlando is her other children live in Melbourne with their father and Orlando because thats where the baby is... so either place is fine, an hour each way.

Please any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Has she asked the hospital for recommendations? Often they have special arrangements.

As an example, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore runs a facility for people whose children are hospitalized there; it is right at the edge of the University grounds.

 

[lesroi]

She may want to try getting in touch with the Ronald McDonald House Children's Charities...

There are 2 McDonald's Houses in Orlando alone:

State: FL
2201 Alden Road
Orlando, FL 32803-1441
Phone: 407 898-6127
Fax: 407 896-3562


State: FL
1630 Kuhl Avenue
Orlando, FL 32806
Phone: 407-581-1289
Fax: 407-581-1392


Here is the link explaining the program:

http://www.rmhc.com/mission/rmhs/index.html

My husband was a nurse at a local Children's Hospital before we moved and believes that most major Children's Hospitals are affiliated with this, or similar, program and should be able to direct her where to go.

Hope this helps, she is in our prayers!

Tracy

 

[CarolA]

She might try Homestead suites. I stayed in them for a month last year. I can't recall the rates, but.... it seems they were within your price range. I know they have them in Orlando and if you reserve on the internet you get another small discount.

However, you might call them and see if they will give a break for a longer stay under the circumstances.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Ronald McDonald has is on a night to night basis, no reservations can be made. And as far as asking the hospital they have been no help... =o(
They have a place called the Hubbard House but according to the hospital "it is a place for families of our older patients"... geesh!

 

[sdamico71]

No suggestions, but wishing you luck in finding something.
Prayers to your friend. It is hard with a child in the NICU. My daughter was only there a week and it was heartwrenching, so I can only imagine three months.

 

[lesroi]

Have never heard that about the McDonald's house... That sure is a kick in the pants!

Nevertheless, I found this place...

http://www.forrent.com/search/detail.asp?site=999909637

Maybe it would work for her?
I know my sis had to stay in Corporate housing when she first moved. I think the name was "Oakwood". Not sure on the price of that, but it was furnished, etc.

Hope she can find something, I understand how frustrating this must be for her!

Tracy

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Its tough, Jaden was born at 25 weeks gestation at 1 pound 11 ounces, she's 3 weeks old today, so she's got a long road ahead, she was doing wonderful off the ventilator, feeding, etc but then she got a massive infection and she's been fighting it ever since... please keep her and her mother Jessica in your prayers.

Thanks everyone!

 

[fkj2]

Is there a possibility of a local church or synagogue helping out? There might be someone in the church who might take her in during that time.

 

[lakoda]

Tell your friend to ask the nursing staff to contact the hospital's social services dept. (If they won't do it, she can call the hospital's main number and ask to be connected.) The social workers will have the most complete list of affordable lodging for her. The Ronald McDonald house is usually on a sliding fee scale. Sometimes nearby hotel will offer a medical rate, but the social worker should have this information.

If she doesn't get anywhere with the nursing staff, she can ask for the NICU nurse manager. If all else fails, she can contact the hospital administration.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[NotUrsula]

... And if for some reason the hospital's social services dept. can't help (which would seem really odd to me), she should try the Red Cross. I also second the suggestion to try churches; if she is a member of an organized faith she could contact a local congregation, which would direct her to a program to help.

 

[mom2bandp]

We stayed in the Ronald McDonald house when our baby was in NICU for 2 weeks, and there were families there who had been there for 2 months and were still going to be there awhile. You can't make reservations, but the hospital's equivilant of a "social worker" coordinates it with RM House. At that time (3 years ago) the fee was $10 a night or the family or person staying there could do a "chore" at the house instead of the fee. That was especially helpful for those there for extended periods of time. I think the chore was the same for the person every day, and might consist of vacuuming a certain area, straightening the kitchen, etc. I definitely would recommend that she contact the social services dept. (or whatever it's called) of the hospital again, and let them know the urgency of her situation. Hope everything goes well for little Jaden!

 

[mrsmom]

I would say to contact the social service at the hospitals, there is places that do help parents out, My dd was in the NICU for three months and i know if i needed anything they were there, but it took alot of asking around to find out where to find things. My prayers are with baby Jaden and her mommy!! my heart goes out to them.
Kim

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Originally posted by lesroi
Have never heard that about the McDonald's house... That sure is a kick in the pants!

Nevertheless, I found this place...

http://www.forrent.com/search/detail.asp?site=999909637


Tracy

Thanks sooooo much for this link! We're going to call tomorrow as we looked at the map and it's only 4.5 miles from here to the hospital! And there is a bus stop... yahoo! Thanks again and may you have a wonderful new year!

 

[beautybelle]

I dont know about any place to stay but the family has my heartfelt prayers.

 

[sk8ingmom]

My family spent a week in the Ronlad McDonald House in St. Pete, FL in 2000. No, they do not accept 'reservations', but once you have a room, it is yours for as long as you need it - they won't kick you out as long as your child is still in the hospital.

I'm sure they are not all the same, but just to give you an idea - the room looked just like a good size hotel room (minus the TV), there was a kids play room, special rec room for teenages, a 'research room' with medical books and computers for adults only, a TV lounge, and a teriffic playground for non-sick siblings. We had access to a full kitchen (there were 3-4 kitchens set up in the same area, the one you used was based on your room number). I think we paid $10 a night & had a daily chore.

However, it's not only the convenience of RMH that make it so special. My family really appreciated being surrounded by people who were going through similar problems and emotions. I would have paid any price for that! Family & friends can be supportive, but they don't really KNOW what you are going through.

Anyway, just my 2-cents. Good luck.

PS DS who was in the NICU is a perfectly happy & healthy 3.5yo now!

 

[Madi100]

I'll second the part about staying at the Ronald McDonald House. We stayed in one very similar only it was a local place. We check out the RMH, but the Rainbow House we stayed at was closer. We were there for seven weeks and not once did someone tell me we had to leave. I met people there that became very good friends. No one can relate to what it is like to have a child in the hospital like that except the people that are going through it right along side you.

I know people have suggested talking to a social worker at the hospital. The one we were at had a social worker contact us. She notified us of all of the assistance available to us. Our daughter was considered disabled for the first year of her life and was eligible was different assistance. I know it differs state to state, but in Nebraska they received assistance with lodging and eating. We weren't that fortunate in Iowa. But, the Rainbow House was a blessing.

 

[floridagirrl2]

One more "me too" for Ronald McDonald House. Our local Ronald McDonald house does not take reservations, but allows parents to stay there for months at a time. They do not kick you out to make room for other families--they just have a "first come, first served" policy.

Also, your friend may want to contact Children's Medical Services, a state-funded agency (part of the Department of Health) that helps pay for medical care for children. I worked as a case manager for CMS for 3 years, and we would often help income-eligible families by paying their insurance co-pay and paying the $10.00 per night for Ronald McDonald House.

I agree with other posters that the hospital social worker is a good place to start to obtain info regarding resources available to your friend.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Another NICU mom here. DS was a 24 weeker and there for 3 months. We were lucky to be only an hour away and drove there everyday and slept at home. We learned a lot however. EVery infant should have a social worker. Sometimes they are busy and a few weeks getting getting to talk with you. Ask for her and she can be a wealth of information. Many hotels will help if you call them directly and ask to speak to the manager. We stayed at a hotel right across form the hospital several night when DS was not doing well and we wanted to be near-by. They gave us a room for like 20.00/night, we got a free breakfast and van service to the hospital. Ask also if your hospital gives free cafateria meals to nursing moms. I know the baby is too little to nurse but pumping and storing is the best gift to give these little ones and many places will give the mom up to like 10.00 a meal eaten in the hospital to encourage good nutrition. Sometimes they forget to tell you these things so you have to ask.
Lastly prayer for the little one and have your friend PM me if she would like to hear a success story of a infant smaller than hers that is now a normal healthy 11 year old.

Jordan's mom