Abbie Hunt Bryce Home houses terminally ill for free

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A local facility offers a free place for the terminally ill to stay, specifically helping the homeless. 

The Abbie Hunt Bryce Home has served more than 500 people. The home receives no government funding, one of the few in the entire country that offers this service. It’s run by Morning Light, a nonprofit organization that helps families with limited means who are in need of health, wellness or end of life care. 

There are only between 10 and 12 residents at the home at one time. All are either referred from hospitals, hospice programs, shelters or social service agencies.

Dixie Hinz is a current resident.

“You feel like you’re in your own little world,” she said. 

She has throat cancer for the second time. 

“It came back three and a half years ago,” Hinz said. “The doctor I went to then gave me six months to live. I’m a survivor, I guess.” 

Her husband died from multiple sclerosis a few years back, which she says left her broke after spending all their money to make him comfortable. Hinz’s daughter was set to take care of her, but was diagnosed with cancer and passed quickly. 

“I can’t explain it but you’re so comfortable and loved here that you feel naturally relaxed and do better,” Hinz said.

That put Hinz in the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home after already on hospice care in Danville.

“I wanna live what I have left,” Hinz said. 

Every resident gets a single room, plus trained staff and volunteers 24-hours a day, seven days a week. There is also medical assistance from community hospice teams to keep residents comfortable. 

“Like life, there is a natural ending,” Hinz said. “So it’s the circle of life and you can see it in everything around you.”

The home was built through private contributions. They rely solely on donations. There is currently a waitlist. If you’d like to fill out an application, click here.