Fisher House

The VA Augusta Fisher House in Augusta, Georgia, is a beautiful “home away from home" and provides high quality temporary lodging for families of Veterans receiving inpatient care at the main hospital. The Fisher House provides cost free accommodations so Veteran families, who live 50 miles or further from the medical center, can be close to their hospitalized loved ones during a medical crisis. A family’s love is always the best medicine. When a loved one is injured or ill, the Fisher House unites families and relieves the financial and emotional strain of being away from home.

With support of our local Central Savannah River Area Community the Fisher House Foundation constructed the Charlie Norwood VA Fisher House and gifted it to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on October 5, 2011. This 16,800-square foot home, is professionally furnished and decorated, is able to accommodate up to 20 families. Each Veteran’s family is allowed one private guest suite to share, each with a private bathroom and they cannot exceed maximum occupancy of the room. Families share a large communal fully equipped kitchen, laundry room, spacious dining room, family room a large flat screen television, and an outdoor patio with all other guests in the house. Children under the age of 18 are permitted to stay at the Fisher House with their parent or guardian. The Fisher House provides accommodations for families going through a medical crisis; therefore, walk-in visits are not permitted.

Families must be referred by their Veterans’ VA health care team

Fisher House referrals cannot be made by Fisher House staff. To request accommodations for Fisher House lodging, please contact the Veterans assigned Social Worker to request a referral. Social workers submit Fisher House referrals by conducting a screening interview using the eligibility criteria in the Fisher House consult menu. If you do not have an assigned social worker, your provider (primary care physician or nurse practitioner) is able to make the referral as well.

Referrals do not guarantee a reservation

All referrals to the Fisher House should be done in advance. Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served, space available basis. Referrals are based on eligibility criteria being met and room availability. Fisher House Staff cannot confirm availability with guests until 24-48 hours prior to the check-in date.

The Fisher House is not a permanent residence, treatment facility, hospice or counseling center.

Eligibility requirements

The following are general criteria for staying at the VA Augusta Fisher House:

Have a loved one receiving inpatient care provided by the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Live 50 miles or more away from the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Are actively engaged in the hospitalized Veteran's treatment plan and provide daily ongoing bedside support during the episode of care
Are medically stable and able to stay in a non-medical, unsupervised setting
The guest must have a permanent address
Are willing to abide by all house guidelines and regulations

Restrictions

The Charlie Norwood VA is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on campus, including in or around the Fisher House
Firearms and/or weapons, and alcohol and/or illicit drugs are not permitted
Pets are not permitted. Only certified and trained service animals that belong to the registered guests are allowed in the Fisher House and require prior approval
No food or drink items are permitted outside of the kitchen and dining room with the exception of water
No additional guests are permitted in the rooms without prior approval

Volunteers and community support needed

The Fisher House relies on volunteers, donors and community support to maintain the home, enhance daily operation and program expansion. There are many ways for individuals or groups to volunteer and help our Veteran and military families.

Support the VA Augusta Fisher House

You can be a part of the Fisher House mission. The CNVAMC Fisher House depends on donations from individuals and groups to support its programs. Funds will be used to support the ongoing, daily needs of the Fisher House as well as to enhance the stay of Fisher House guests. Fisher House will continue to have one time needs and on-going needs to support our guests—from pantry items, freezer foods, individual snacks, coffee supplies, bottled water to laundry products and other kitchen essentials. Gift card donations allow ease in picking up items needed for the Fisher House. Please consider Wal-Mart, Publix, or general Visa gift cards. We also have a wish list on Amazon: Augusta VA Fisher House. You can shop wherever you chose; the wish list is meant to give donors suggestions of items to purchase. Every donation helps make the Fisher House a home for our Veteran’s families.

To learn more about Fisher House, volunteer opportunities, request our wish list, or make a
tax-deductible donation to the CNVAMC Fisher House, please contact the Fisher House Manager at
or .

Checks can be mailed to the address below, made payable to CNVAMC Fisher House.

Our address:
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Attn: Fisher House
1 Freedom Way
Augusta, GA 30904