Hudson Valley Hospice to Build the First Hospice Residence in Dutchess County to Serve Patients in Dutchess and Ulster Counties

(Poughkeepsie, NY) – Michael Kaminski, President and CEO of Hudson Valley Hospice, announced that Hudson Valley Hospice has broken ground for a new $10 million Hospice House, the first of its kind in Dutchess County, with its dedication and opening expected in early 2023.  Mr. Kaminski shared that, “Compelled by our mission, we are guided by a vision that continues to build Hudson Valley Hospice’s reputation as the premier provider of hospice and palliative care in both Dutchess and Ulster Counties.  As such, we are preparing to take this important step to add this much needed component of hospice care to the constellation of healthcare services we provide to the community.”

The spacious home-like facility, located in Hyde Park, just north of Hudson Valley Hospice’s administrative office, on seven wooded acres, with 14 private suites which will support all levels of hospice care needed by patients at the end of life.  Each private suite will be approximately 400 square feet and have a large private bathroom, individual control of the room temperature, and convertible chairs and sofas allowing loved ones to stay overnight.  The suites will be tastefully decorated and encourage the display of personal items, photos, art, books, and other life-enriching mementos to add to the homelike environment, while doors in each room will open onto a Meditative Garden, offering patients and their loved ones the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful and tranquil outdoor environment. Two suites will be convertible for pediatric patient care to meet the extraordinary needs of our youngest patients and their loved ones.

Spacious dining, family and patient lounges and gathering rooms will offer places for small and large groups to come together and common areas will provide an elegant and sophisticated, yet warm and friendly atmosphere with coffee stations, microwaves, and refrigerators for family use. Mr. Kaminski also announced that Mid Hudson Construction Management has been chosen as the winning bidder of the construction project.  Ray Travis, President of MHCM shared that he, and everyone at his firm, are excited to begin work on this important project.

Dr. Albert Riddle, Hudson Valley Hospice’s Chief Medical Officer reported that “For many years, we’ve been diligent in building quality services and programs to support patients and their loved ones with home, hospital and nursing home-based care, as patients and families generally prefer their final days to be in their own familiar and comfortable surroundings. We have also learned that when home is not an option, our community needs a place where patients who have life limiting illnesses can find comfort and solace and their loved ones can take a break from the inevitable caregiver fatigue and the challenges of caring for loved ones to focus on the things that matter most.  For many it’s the best option.  For many others, it’s the only option.”

“Thank you, Hudson Valley Hospice, for taking a giant step forward in assuring access to hospice services for all!  The Hudson Valley Hospice House will offer patients and families throughout Dutchess and Ulster Counties the opportunity to be cared for in a beautiful home-like environment when that might not otherwise be possible.  You are making a difference in your communities and helping to lead the way to quality end-of-life care in the State,”  declared Jeanne Chirico, President and CEO of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State.

Helen Rinaudo, Chairperson of Hudson Vallely Hospice’s Board of Directors, shared that “ she and the Board are excited to be able to provide this facility of comfort and hope to the people in our communities on both sides of the Hudson. I am waiting with great anticipation for the dedication ceremony of the Hospice House”.

About Hudson Valley Hospice

Hudson Valley Hospice is the premier provider of end-of-life care in Dutchess and Ulster Counties, providing compassionate care, programs, services and support to individuals, and their loved ones, who are faced with a life-limiting illness.  Our clinical staff includes Hospice and Palliative Care Certified Registered Nurses, Board Certified Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers, Home Health Aides, Spiritual Care Chaplains, Grief and Bereavement Counselors and Volunteers.  Medical equipment, oxygen, medications, and loaner tablets for our in-home TeleHospice program are also provided.  Hudson Valley Hospice goes beyond the basic government mandated requirements of hospice care and offers Music Therapy, End of Life Doulas, Pet Therapy, Reiki and more.  Everything we do is geared toward providing the best quality of life for patients during their final months and weeks, whether they are at home, in a nursing home, in a hospital, wherever they call home.

“Hospice care is a benefit of Medicare, as well as many insurance plans. People have the right to take advantage of this wonderful service which provides comfort and freedom from pain and anxiety in a patient’s final months of life. It is never too soon to call on hospice for help”, Kaminski stressed.  If you have questions, need help, or want to learn more about Hudson Valley Hospice, please call 845-240-7555 or visit hvhospice.org

Donations to Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation help support those who may be uninsured or under-insured and provide for non-formulary drugs, tablets for our TeleHospice lending program, equipment, programs and services and more.  To make a donation, visit us as hvhospicefoundation.org or call 845-240-7609.

Hudson Valley Medical Health Choices, P.C, an affiliate of Hudson Valley Hospice, is a palliative care provider, working together with a patient’s doctors to provide an extra layer of support, recommending treatments and services for symptom and stress management, negating the need for multiple trips to the emergency room or a doctor’s office.  Its services are also provided in the home, in an assisted living facility, in a nursing home, wherever a person calls home to any person, at any age with a serious or life limiting illness, or who may be experiencing pain or other distressing symptoms.  To learn more about Hudson Valley Medical Health Choices, P.C., please call 845-240-7557 or visit hvpalliativecare.org