The Bird House is a community-based not for profit dedicated to providing compassionate, dignified end-of-life care by focusing on the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of our guests and their loved ones in a peaceful, home-like environment. 

 Admission guide

When we get a referral, we try to get gather as much information as possible about the guest. Our home coordinator might then visit the guest and their family wherever they are to explain the services of the home and gather any other information about the guest’s needs.  If all the rooms in the house are full, we have a waiting list. As soon as a room becomes available, we contact the family right away to let them know.

Our criteria for coming to the Bird House is: 

•  Life expectancy of six months or less
•  Guest already enrolled with a hospice agency.  The following agencies have agreements to work with us at the Bird House
  • Iowa City Hospice
  • Compassus in Cedar Rapids
  • Hospice of Washington County
  • Essence of Life in Amana
  • Avalon Hospice in Hiawatha
  • St. Croix Hospice in Cedar Rapids
•  Guest has a “Do Not Resuscitate”  status and a Durable Power of Attorney for health care decision making
•  There is a hospice plan for continued care in case of discharge
•  Guest/family and friends agree on the purpose of admission, hospice plan of care and projected length of stay

For any questions, please contact:  
Carol Tippe, Home Coordinator
thebirdhousehhjc@mediacombb.net
​Phone: 319-499-1882