Learn More About Heart of Mary House

What is Heart of Mary House (HOMH)?

We are a home for people in need of housing and 24-hour care. They are people with a terminal diagnosis in need of at home-hospice care.

Why is Heart of Mary House needed?

Founder and director, Kim Derrick, worked as a registered nurse in the hospice field for over 12 years. Through her first hand experiences, she witnessed time and time again the disparities of the underserved who had been given a terminal diagnosis and were in need of home hospice care. Medicare and other insurance agencies do not pay the cost of room and board. Nor do they pay for dependent care needs of the hospice patient. This disparity creates obstacles to care when a person has no home to receive home hospice services in.

Heart of Mary House is the first and only home in Middle Tennessee to respond to this ever growing need in our community.

Residents in the home do not pay anything for their room or 24/7 care. The organization is funded through the generosity of our community and volunteers who provide over 350 hours of service each month.

What is the difference between Heart of Mary House and a facility?

Too many to list, but the main differences are that we offer a peaceful and home-like setting for the residents and they pay nothing in return. The home is 100% donation based. 

Since this is an unlicensed home, who provides the medical care?

Medical care inside the home is provided by each resident’s hospice team, which is overseen by their hospice Medical Director. The core nursing skills are completed through their RN-Case Manager from their licensed hospice provider. The caregivers in the home serve in the same manner as a family member would in the home, if they had a home to go to. 

What are the requirements?

Each Resident is:

• under the medical care of a hospice agency
• has a terminal prognosis
• has a DNR

How is a referral made?

Make a referral by clicking here

BRIEF HISTORY

Over the last two years, CCCH has managed a pilot project at 200 Thompson Lane. This was a 900 sq ft, 2 bedroom space in the basement of a home on the property of St. Edward Church. In this home, we cared for over 30 individuals with a terminal prognosis. The need for expansion grew very quickly, as 5 to 10 terminally ill people are turned away each week due to space and budget constraints. The overall experience has been exceptional and extraordinary!

In November os 2024, we signed the lease on a home 3 times the size as our pilot project and moved in our first resident on February 17. We have over 150 volunteers and employees who serve as caregivers when needed.