Nonprofit provides shelter for outpatients, patient’s relatives

One of Shreveport-Bossier City’s best-kept secrets might just be the McDade House.

Located behind CHRISTUS Health Shreveport- Bossier at 1825 Warrington Place in Shreveport, the McDade House is the Hospital Hospitality House for all local hospitals in Shreveport-Bossier City. The nonprofit provides patients a place to stay while receiving outpatient care, or for a relative to have a place to stay while their loved one is receiving hospital treatments.

Having a loved one in the hospital or receiving frequent outpatient care yourself is stressful enough without having to worry over where to stay. The McDade House helps take a load off the struggle by offering a place to reside while receiving care or standing by the side of a loved one receiving care.

Barbara Regan, executive director of the McDade House, said she has a passion for the program. “I love helping people,” Regan said. “The McDade House is a home away from home for those who need it while receiving outpatient care, or for those who have loved ones in the hospital.”

“We’re a nonprofit 501c3 organization that provides lodging and supportive services in a homelike environment for outpatients and relatives of the seriously ill patients from the Ark-La-Tex in a Shreveport- Bossier City hospital,” Regan said.

Because they’re a nonprofit, the McDade House depends solely on donations from individuals, groups, businesses, churches and the like. So far, provision has never been a problem. “The Lord started this, and He’s provided ever since,” Regan said.

Regan was first approached about this venture in the mid-1980s while finishing her doctorate and teaching at Centenary College business department. After agreeing to give it a go, she was repeatedly hit with questions from others on how they would ever manage to pull it off successfully without state, federal or city funds.

“Easy,” Regan said. “I live my life by praying for open and closed doors.

The Lord opened this one, and we celebrated 31 years at the McDade House just this year. He always provides.”

Those who stay in the home must be referred by a hospital social worker. The house, which is handicap  accessible and is a smoke-free environment both inside and out, offers 16 rooms, each equipped with private baths and twin beds.

“Everything is provided for the families except for clothes,” Regan said. “We provide basic staples of food, such as canned goods and soups.

Those with special dietary needs must bring their own foods.” The McDade House also offers laundry facilities.

“The spirit of giving is alive and well within our community,” Regan said.

“Your generosity in terms of financial support and household goods has allowed the McDade House to be a safe haven for those in medical crisis.

Through your gifts, we’ve been able to provide care and compassion in a home-away-from-home environment.”

Reservations aren’t available in advance, as the duration stay of current residents is impossible to predict. “The bed is yours as long as the patient is seriously ill,” Regan said. However, if patients or relatives go home for a day, they’ll need another referral from the social worker in order to come back. The McDade House can’t hold beds. Check-in time is 8 a.m., and check out is 4 p.m. Free parking is available behind the house.

A member of the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses, the McDade House operates as a nonprofit facility for patients and their families when confronted with medical emergencies. It has has now served about 26,000 families since 1985. It’s is similar to that of the Ronald McDonald House but with a few differences. “We’re unique because we serve all ages, not just children like the Ronald McDonald House,” Regan said.

Because of recent times, a small is necessary to stay in the McDade House, typically between $25-35. Those fees are determined by the hospital social worker. “That’s why donations are so critical for this program,” Regan said.

The McDade House also receives household goods such as laundry, soap, canned goods, boxed dinners, toilet paper, frozen and prepared foods, white sheets, pillow cases and white towels. But the best way to give is financially. “We are always in need of monetary donations,” Regan said.

Donations can be made by via the Red Cross, by going to www.justgive.org or by calling the McDade House at 681-6560.

–Betsy St. Amant