Solving Challenges for Traveling Patients: Holistic & Financial Health  

Today, many people suffering from serious illness often have to travel to another city, or even another state or country, to access lifesaving treatment. The United States, and particularly major cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco, are known for their advanced medical facilities, broad range of treatments, and highly acclaimed medical staffs. 

While being accepted as a patient to receive such critical care is often met with feelings of hope and inspiration, traveling and living in a different city can heighten stress levels for not only the patient themselves, but also for family members accompanying the patient on their journey from treatment through recovery.

As an important component to addressing patient needs on a holistic level, choosing the right environment for rest should not be overlooked as an integral part of the entire medical treatment process. Focusing on convenience, privacy, comfort, and a sense of daily living normalcy, all contribute to enhancing the mental state of the patient and family during this challenging time. 

Solutions that address patient and family emotional and psychological needs

Fully-furnished serviced apartments continue to increase in popularity among healthcare professionals as the superior option for their patients’ long-term medical care. Primarily, the abundant space and homestyle amenities available in an apartment setting, when compared to the size and offering of an average hotel room, is believed to significantly enhance the patient’s overall sense of wellbeing. 

Since most traveling patients are accompanied by family for treatments of this extended duration, private bedroom and bathroom space ensures peace and tranquility for the patient during critical rest periods.  The ample bedroom space for any required medical equipment and bathrooms with walk-in showers are also welcome amenities for patient comfort and safety. 

Comfortable living rooms provide the entire family with a homey area to connect, share emotional support, and even maintain special routines from home like watching a favorite weekly television show.  While crowded hotel elevators and lobbies tend to keep patients isolated, the convenience and privacy of outdoor living space like furnished patios and balconies often encourages patients to venture outside for fresh air and sun, further enhancing their mobility and state of mind.  Possibly the most desired and appreciated benefit of apartment living is having a fully-equipped kitchen to prepare homecooked meals which contributes significantly to feelings of normalcy and enhanced comfort for the entire family.

Cost comparisons and savings

Apartment living for medical travel sounds perfect to most, yet the fear of exorbitant rental costs often prevents patients from even exploring the option.  Since nearly all major medical centers are located in large cities known for pricey accommodations, many incorrectly assume that short-term housing is not a viable solution. In fact, most serviced apartments offer much more competitive rates when compared to hotels, with discounts increasing even more for longer reservations.

Another important budget item that should be taken into consideration when comparing apartments versus hotels is the cost of food.  A hotel room stay requires daily restaurant dining or take-out ordering for all meals which translates to much higher out-of-pocket costs than grocery shopping to prepare those same meals in the apartment’s fully equipped kitchen.

Selecting an apartment with an in-unit washer and dryer is another way to keep costs down and prevent trips to a laundromat or using costly laundering services.

According to Budget Your Trip, the average cost for a 2-week hotel stay in Boston is over $3,500, with New York Times reporting over $5,000 for 2-weeks in Manhattan.  When comparing those rates to serviced apartments, it is possible to secure an entire month’s stay in each of those cities for the same cost.  When adding additional food and laundry expenses in those major cities, apartment living ranks as the most affordable solution.

An option meriting wider recognition 

Increasingly, hospitals’ Patient Advocacy departments are reaching out to short-term furnished housing providers, actively partnering with them to develop solutions that include comfortable and affordable accommodation options as part of their entire patient experience.  

This growing trend is a testament to the healthcare community’s steadfast commitment to providing holistic programs that cater to patients’ physical, mental and psychological health when facing life’s most difficult medical challenges.