Ronald McDonald House

Family Information

Ronald McDonald House
435 Limestone Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 269-2247

What is Ronald McDonald House (RMH)?

The Ronald McDonald House of Indiana first opened its doors in 1982 to provide a comfortable, caring and affordable place you can call home while your child is being treated at an Indianapolis area hospital. It is a unique facility, neither a hotel nor motel, but a home-like living setting that relies on the efforts of staff, volunteers and guests alike to operate on a daily basis.

Who May Stay at the RMH?

You are eligible to stay if your child is under the age of 21 and is a patient at Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Hospital, Methodist Hospital or any other Indianapolis area hospital. Your child may be either an in-patient, or an out-patient who must stay close to the hospital because of his/her treatment schedule.

How Close Will I Be to the Hospital?

The RMH is located just a few blocks west of both Riley and IU Hospitals at the corner of Limestone and Michigan Streets. If your child is receiving treatment at Riley, Methodist, or IU Hospital, the free Clarian Shuttle stops at our front door. You can ask the hospital information desk for details about the shuttle schedule.

How Can I Make Arrangements to Stay at the RMH?

You may either call the RMH directly or you may be referred by a hospital staff person such as a nurse, social worker or the person who schedules your hospital admission or clinic appointment. After receiving your referral information, your name and contact information is placed on the RMH waiting list. Once you are on our waiting list, if your child's admission or clinic visit date changes or if you decide that you will not need to stay at the RMH, please contact us.

Why Does the RMH Have a Waiting List?

The RMH has enough guest rooms for up to fifty (50) families. Due to the high demand for rooms and the fact that hospital discharge dates are uncertain, we cannot use a reservation system. Instead, you are placed on our waiting list in the order in which your referral is received. We will not know in advance if you will have a room on the first day you need it. As rooms are vacated, we contact the family on the daily waiting list. There are times, depending on the length of the waiting list, when it may be a few days or more before a room opens up for you. However, you will remain on the list until a room becomes available. [Only one room is provided per patient family.]

How Will I Know If I Have a Room?

We will telephone you either at the hospital or the contact number you provide as soon as a room becomes available. If you will be difficult to locate on the day you need the room, (e.g. outpatient, traveling from home, etc.) please call the RMH sometime that morning to tell us how to reach you.

What is the RMH Like?

Most guest rooms have a twin bed and a queen bed. Cots and cribs are available if needed. Bed sheets and bath towels are provided. Each room shares a bathroom with one other room. Laundry facilities, including detergent are available free of charge. Kitchen facilities are available for meal preparation. Each room has assigned refrigerator space and a food storage locker. Families purchase their own groceries, however, some basic staples and donated food items are available in the House pantries. Common areas include dining rooms, living rooms, TV areas, play rooms, a library and a courtyard. Guest pitch-in by keeping their rooms clean and by cleaning up after themselves in the bathrooms, kitchens and other common areas. Baby-sitting services are not provided. House guests must assure that all children under the age of 16 are supervised. Parking is available free of charge for our guests. The RMH is a "no smoking" facility.

How Much Does it Cost?

You are asked to pay $10.00 per night to help cover the cost of providing your room. If you are unable to do so, you may meet with the House Director or Resident House Manager after you check-in to discuss a reduced fee based on your financial circumstances. In addition, you must pay a refundable room key deposit of $3.00 for one key and $5.00 for two keys at the time of check-in. If you are unable to do so, you can contact your assigned hospital Social Worker to arrange assistance with the key deposit.

Is There Anything Else I Need to Know?

The office is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and is staffed primarily by volunteers from the Indianapolis area. You can call the House during office hours at 317-269-2247 for additional information.