A Much-Needed Hospice House Opens in St. Louis

Both adult and pediatric hospice patients now have much-needed options for end-of-life care with the opening of Evelyn’s House, BJC HealthCare’s new hospice house in St. Louis.

The 16-bed hospice house is located on the campus of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The 18,000-square-foot facility serves both adult and pediatric patients and their families from throughout the area.

“Hospice care recognizes, celebrates and respects the unique life journey of each patient,” says Barbara Westland, director of BJC Hospice. “Hospice helps families make every moment count by focusing on the spiritual and emotional care of patients, as well as physical comfort.”

While hospice care is routinely provided in a home setting, Evelyn’s House is designed to offer patients and families an alternative choice in special circumstances such as the short-term management of pain and symptoms and respite for caregivers.

Patrick White, MD, chief medical officer for BJC Hospice, leads the hospice house. “Evelyn’s House offers our patients exceptional quality medical care in a peaceful home-like setting, designed specifically to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, enhance dignity, and support patients and families. We are proud to be able to offer patients with serious medical illness, personalized medical care delivered from a highly trained and compassionate team.”

The ranch-style house offers a warm, home-like environment where hospice patients receive specialized care in comfortable surroundings that involve family members and caregivers. Features include music therapy, a salon, a full kitchen, gathering rooms for families, and garden and patio areas.

“Evelyn’s House is here today due to the generosity of many,” says Susan Ell, executive director and vice president of The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. We’re grateful to the many donors who answered our call to help us build this special hospice house for anyone needing expert end-of-life care.”

To make the hospice house a reality, Aja and Pat Stokes led the way with a gift that inspired Peggy and Andy Newman to make an equally momentous gift through the Eric P. and Evelyn E. Newman Foundation. Evelyn’s House is named after Andy’s mother, Evelyn Newman, a prominent St. Louis community leader and philanthropist who passed away in 2015.

Other financial support for Evelyn’s House came from The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, BJC HealthCare, as well as St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation, Friends of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and Friends of Wings, which supports the BJC Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care program.

“Dreams can become reality with the support of the community, donors and incredible staff,” Barbara Westland says. “Evelyn’s House embodies our core purpose of providing exceptional care to patients and families in our community. The home-like environment, our expressive therapy and music therapy rooms, social workers, chaplains and volunteers help support the needs of the family on their journey with their loved one.”

“The St. Louis community’s generosity and commitment to compassionate end-of-life care helps us more fully embrace patients and families during a difficult time,” Dr. White says. “Our community is better for having a hospice house.”