Planning your Stay

When planning temporary relocation to Houston for transplant, your family will want to talk to a social worker from your home-based hospital, look to families and friends for help and maintain open communication with members of your child's transplant team. Many families have to make difficult decisions about whether the entire family or part of the family will relocate to Houston. Emotional support from loved ones can be very important during the transplant process.

Once your child is on the transplant wait list, your family should live within one hour of the hospital and should remain for at least 3 months after transplant or until clinical stability is established. It is important to contact your insurance provider to determine what your plan covers and what provisions (e.g. oxygen and feeding supplies) will be covered upon relocation. Some insurance plans provide financial assistance for relocation.

Your social worker or the Texas Children’s Hospital social worker can help you research numerous lodging options. Many families choose to stay at the Houston-area Ronald McDonald House, which is approximately one mile from the Texas Medical Center. The Ronald McDonald House offers a home-away-from-home for families of children undergoing treatment at the Texas Medical Center and provides affordable rates and transportation to the medical center. Short-term lease apartments within 2 to 3 miles of the hospital also are available.