Doug’s House

Providing hospice care since 1988.

Doug’s House is a five-bedroom residential hospice for people in the final stages of AIDS-related illnesses. Short-term intensive respite care is also provided on a space-available basis.

No one is turned away for inability to pay.


History

Doug’s House opened in 1988 as the first residential hospice for people living with AIDS in Central Texas. Its mission has evolved to include short-term intensive care as the needs of people with HIV/AIDS have changed. It is still the only HIV/AIDS hospice facility in Central Texas.

What services are provided?

Our team of social workers, caregivers and a Registered Nurse provide medication management, meals, personal care, and social service support. We also provide training on end-of-life care for residents and family members.

How do you get admitted?

Contact the Project Transitions office at 512-454-8646 or by email at and ask for an intake to Doug’s House. A licensed social worker will set up an appointment at your current location to determine if we can assist you at Doug’s House.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is hospice care?

Hospice care is comprehensive care provided to individuals who are in the last six months of their lives. The care involves meeting the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of the dying person and their family members. Hospice care is palliative (comfort-giving) and hospice residents forego aggressive treatment.

What is supportive care?

Supportive care is care provided to individuals who need temporary 24-hour support. The support is focused on medical management and strengthening independent living skills and social support systems. Supportive care residents receive palliative care for symptoms that may be created by aggressive treatment.

Do all residents live at Doug’s House?

Yes. Residents must live at Doug’s House in order to receive care.

How big is the facility?

Doug’s House is a residential house with five bedrooms and a common living area. A maximum of five residents live in the house at one time, and priority is given to hospice residents.

Who is on the staff?

Doug’s House is staffed by a Program Coordinator, a Registered Nurse, professional caregivers and volunteers.

How long can one stay at Doug’s House?

Hospice residents can spend the remainder of their lives at Doug’s House. Supportive care residents’ length of stay is evaluated by their care needs. Stays can be as short as several days to several months.

Can family members visit?

Family and friends can visit 24 hours a day with the resident’s permission. Visitors may occasionally be limited if overcrowding occurs.

Is there a waiting list?

Sometimes. Hospice residents always take priority over supportive care residents if there is a waiting list. Residents are then placed on the list according to need.

Project Transitions News

April 28, 2011

Bike Curious is in training mode for the Hill Country Ride for AIDS!

Project Transitions’ Hill Country Ride for AIDS bike team (now also open to runners) is back on the road! Last year “Bike Curious” raised over $5,000 for the Ride and this year we hope to double that. We invite you to join us in this truly rewarding and fun experience. The funds raised are distributed among ten different HIV/AIDS related organizations to help provide much needed services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Project Transitions is proud to be one of the beneficiaries of this ride. This year, the Hill Country Ride has added a running component offering a 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathon and a duathalon, in case biking isn’t your thing. This event is not a race and is open to people of all ages and abilities.

Participation in the Hill Country Ride will impact the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in a greatly profound way. For this reason alone, participation is totally worth the effort. But, as an added bonus, there are also personal benefits to participating in the event! These include, but are not limited to: The confidence that comes with setting a goal and achieving said goal; the praise that your doctor will bestow upon you for participating in a healthy and active life style; The compliments that are sure to come with the impending loss of weight and new muscle tone; and the camaraderie associated with being an active member of your community.

Help Project Transitions make this the best Hill Country Ride for AIDS yet!

Sign up here to join Project Transitions Team Bike Curious!

May 1, 2011

Educate Yourself on the Issues

It’s time to know more. For detailed information about HIV/AIDS, medication, activism, prevention, how to live with HIV/AIDS, and personal stories from HIV+ people, head to TheBody.com. There you’ll find the Visual AIDS web gallery of HIV+ artists, up-to-the-minute information about HIV medications, and news from the HIV/AIDS community around the United States.

For contemporary news and articles relating to HIV/AIDS, head to HIV Plus Magazine online and to connect more with the HIV+ community through forums, personals, video, articles about HIV/AIDS history and current events, visit POZ Magazine online.

More links:
Avert.org’s HIV/AIDS History
ActUp.org
The CDC
Hill Country Ride for AIDS
International Planned Parenthood Federation
AIDS.gov

April 25, 2011

Stay Connected To Our Community

There are two ways to stay connected to Project Transitions amazing events and get updates from our programs. Join our e-mail list or “Like” us on Facebook:

Contact Us

  • Project Transitions
  • PO Box 4826
  • Austin Texas 78765
  • 512 454 8646