By Grace Silipigni | Photos By Beth Hester
Limited access to hospice-specific care facilities has remained an issue in Coastal Virginia for decades. According to a regional survey, the area is deficient in more than 40 hospice beds, leaving dozens of individuals transitioning from standard medical support to around-the-clock hospice care to seek help in other communities, and in some cases, other states. The late Dr. Ronald Dozoretz and his team of healthcare champions aimed to close the gap by erecting Virginia Beach’s first hospice house. In partnership with Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay and Beth Sholom Village, the Dozoretz Hospice House of Hampton Roads officially opened its doors in September 2024. The nonprofit facility now proudly serves as a 12-bed hospice house offering unparalleled comfort, support and dignity during life’s final chapter.
The Hospice House resides on two-and-a-half acres of lakefront property in Virginia Beach’s Red Mill neighborhood. The city donated the land specifically for hospice use, explains Executive Director Victoria Crenshaw, so the building’s interior was designed with equal intention, placing patient needs and family comfort at the forefront. The bright and spacious facility spans two wings with six beds in each. While some suites feature private balconies, all offer outdoor views, large bathrooms, top-of-the-line hospice beds, sofa beds and calming aromatherapy features. “We were very purposeful in how we designed the care [suites] and common areas for families,” says Crenshaw. “We also have four guest suites upstairs that can accommodate families or visitors that travel from out of town. This gives them peace of mind and allows them to stay close to their loved ones.”
Also on site are a chapel, conference room, cozy lobby, covered patio and community kitchen for visitors to cook and dine with their loved ones. All suites and common areas are accessible 24/7, giving families peace of mind and flexibility on visitation hours.
Just off the communal kitchen is a kids’ play area, the funds for which were donated by Dr. Terry Jenkins, a late public service professional and notable proponent of the Hospice House. Jenkins’ passion for expanding our region’s hospice services stemmed from her own experience of navigating end-of-life care for a family member. Jenkins was just one of several distinguished contributors to the house’s Capital Campaign, the facility’s ongoing effort to raise funds to offset construction costs. Once completed, the Hospice House will unveil its next campaign which aims to support house functions and create programs for families unable to afford care.
Maintaining a facility dedicated to peace and healing is no small task. Crenshaw applauds her staff of 25 for their unwavering dedication to the Hospice House. The RNs, CNAs, house attendants and administrators are responsible for carrying out all duties associated with the facility’s three services: end-of-life care, general inpatient care and respite care. The Dozoretz team must also execute care plans in conjunction with the 15 hospice agencies, palliative care groups and physicians that partner with and refer patients to the Hospice House.
Crenshaw notes that respite stays have truly been a saving grace for local families. Medicare affords two, five-day respite stays per year, allowing caretakers to be temporarily relieved of their duties, providing them time to travel or simply rest. “I had no idea I could have taken a respite stay while taking care of my own father,” says Crenshaw. “Before the Hospice House came along, families in need of respite care sought out nursing centers and assisted living homes [for accommodations]. Now those families can call us and request stays well in advance. Many other centers and homes in the area cannot commit to stays far in the future.”
Another integral part of the Hospice House is its robust volunteer base. Out of the roughly 100 volunteers in the house’s database, 55 participate in house operations on a daily or weekly basis. Overseeing their schedules and duties is Elizabeth Hines, the facility’s volunteer coordinator. Hines is meticulous and tasks volunteers to oversee front desk coverage, deliver meals to patients, arrange the lobby’s rotating bouquets, offer companion care and assist with events.
The Hospice House continually seeks volunteers and donors to support its mission. Visit hospicehousehr.org/get-involved to complete the volunteer interest form or hospicehousehr.org/giving to donate. Supporters should also consider contributing to the Angel Fund or making a Memorial Gift in honor of a loved one.
