The Homes for the Dying, also known as Comfort Care Homes, provide compassionate care for the dying and help residents live their last days in comfort and love. The value of life at every stage is affirmed and the care provided neither hastens nor prevents death.
Care for people who are dying is provided in a home environment for two people at a time with the help of volunteers providing care at no cost to the patient or family. An exception is Francis House in Syracuse that has two homes and is able to care for eight residents at a time in each home. A Hospice nursing agency supports the care with nursing, social work, chaplain, and aide visits.
Hospice care is provided primarily at home. Many people are adamant about wanting to spend their remaining days in their own home. But it may not be an option if the person is unable to take care of themselves and has no one to help with personal care needs.
Picture a 95 year old woman who has outlived their family and friends, has been fiercely independent and is suddenly diagnosed with terminal cancer with weeks to live.
Consider the 75 year old man who suffers a catastrophic stroke, is bed bound, eligible for hospice and has weeks to live. He never married and has no children. While he has many devoted nieces and nephews, they are scattered across the country and unable to provide around-the-clock care for him in his home due to family and/or professional responsibilities.
What do you do?
Referrals are welcomed from area hospitals, physicians, social workers, case managers, discharge planners, clergy, friends and family members, neighbors and certified home health agencies.
Each Home for the Dying acts independently, choosing from the list of referred patients based on their own assessment of who has the greatest need of their help. When a home is interested in offering a bed to someone, typically the director of the house will come out to interview the person, bringing pictures of the house to help the person understand what the house might be like. If the person declines admission, the patient would be given another opportunity if a bed becomes available. There is often a wait list because of community need.
Each Comfort Care Home for the Dying is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization which offers its services at no cost to the resident. Comfort Care Homes for the Dying do not receive any medical insurance or governmental reimbursement. All financial support comes from memorials, donations, fund-raising events, grants and bequests.
Comfort Care Homes for the Dying began in Rochester in the 1980s as a unique response to a growing community need for the provision of hospice care in an alternate setting for those hospice patients who can’t receive care in their own homes. While the Greater Rochester Area is blessed to have a number of Homes for the Dying, there is often a wait list for beds. The model spread to other parts of New York.
To refer someone or arrange for a tour of a Home for the Dying in your area, use the contact phone number or email address. Learn more about a Home for the Dying in your area on their website.
1203 Kemble Street Utica, NY 13501
Phone: 315-733-8210 Email: info@theabrahamhouse.org
http://www.theabrahamhouse.org
1010 Moseley Rd. Fairport, NY 14450
Phone: 585-223-6112 Email: theadventhouse@frontiernet.net
http://www.theadventhouse.org/
2495 S. Union Street P.O. Box 21 Spencerport, NY 14559
Phone: 585-617-4863 Email: Info@aurorahousewmc.com
PO Box 403, 11 Liberty Street, Batavia, NY 14021
Phone: (585)-343-3892 Email: ofc1@crossroadshouse.com
http://www.crossroadshouse.com
479 Rowland St., Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Phone: (518) 450-1273 Email: info@gatewayhouseofpeace.org
http://www.gatewayhouseofpeace.org/
141 East State Street Wellsville, NY 14895
Phone: 585-596-1045 Email: HartHouse@roadrunner.com
http://comforthouseofalleganycounty.org
7824 County Rd. #33, Naples NY, 14512
Phone: 585-374-2090 Email: info@HospeaceHouse.org
https://www.hospeacehouse.org/
33 Henry Street Glens Falls, NY 12801
Phone: 518-793-8509 Email: info@stjosephshouseofgrace.org
http://www.stjosephshouseofgrace.org/
22 Glenview Dr. PO Box 2122 Scotia, NY 12302
Phone: 518-346-5471 Email: director1jnp@gmail.com
http://www.joannicoleprincehome.org/
994 Long Pond Road Rochester, NY 14626
Phone: 585-225-1240 Email: journeyhome994@gmail.com
http://www.journeyhomegreece.org
Mailing Address: PO Box 107 Penn Yan, NY 14527
Physical Address: 35 Route 54, East Lake Rd., Penn Yann, NY 14527
Phone: 315-536-1690 Email: director@keukacomfortcarehome.org
http://keukacomfortcarehome.org
224 Fair St., Newark, NY 14513
Phone: 315-573-7028 Email: director@laurelhousecomfortcare.org
http://laurelhousecomfortcare.org/
5160 Parrish Street Extension, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Phone: 585-393-1311 Email: lighthillstaff@gmail.com
Mailing Address: c/o St. Mary of the Assumption 99 Main St., PO Box 73 Scottsville, NY 14546
Physical Address: 2006 Scottsville-Chili Road Scotsville, NY 14546
Phone: 585-889-0040 Email: info@patrickplace.org
2378 Ridge Road Ontario, NY 14519
Phone: 315-524-2388 Email: directorPOP@gmail.com
310 Second Avenue Wayland, NY 14572
Phone: 585-728-2427 Email: volunteer2014@frontiernet.net
http://www.thevincenthouse.org
700 Holt Rd. Webster, NY 14580
Phone: 585-872-5290 Email: wcch@rochester.rr.com
http://www.webstercomfortcare.org
Hospice House Network is a virtual community of hospice professionals, volunteers and others who share an abiding interest in the provision of hospice care in an alternate setting for those hospice patients who can’t receive care in their own homes. As the community need grows, there is a need for additional Comfort Care Homes for the Dying and other home-like solutions.
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