Announcing New Hospice Partnership with Catholic Health at McAuley Residence

Hospice Buffalo Nursing Home Services and Catholic Health are partnering to improve the quality of life for subacute care patients at the health system’s McAuley Residence who have been diagnosed with life-limiting illness.

“We are very proud to be partnering with Catholic Health. Collaboration between nursing homes and hospice can truly improve care at the end of life,” said Dr. Chris Kerr, CMO and Interim CEO of Hospice Buffalo. “While residents continue to receive quality care and services from the facility staff, our Hospice Buffalo team will provide an extra level of physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual support to the patient and their family.”

The Hospice team will include: a board certified physician who works directly with the patient’s physician; a hospice registered nurse who coordinates the care plan to ensure symptom and pain control; a hospice social worker to help prepare for end-of-life and assist with emotional issues; a spiritual care chaplain who offers non-denominational guidance; specially trained volunteers who care for, serve and visit hospice patients; and bereavement counselors who will support and guide family members offering support, counseling and resources for adults and children.

“Hospice Buffalo is recognized in Western New York for high quality hospice and palliative care and the services they provide are a perfect complement to the high quality subacute care we deliver at McAuley Residence,” said Joyce Markiewicz, Catholic Health Executive Vice President/President & CEO for Home & Community Based Care. “Our patients and their families have a growing need for hospice care and we look forward to working with Hospice Buffalo to offer this important level of care within our facility.”

McAuley Residence is a 160-bed Catholic Health Long Term & Subacute Care facility located behind Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Tonawanda. The 10-bed Hospice Unit is scheduled to open this spring. To find out more about this program or to arrange a consultation, call Hospice Buffalo Nursing Home Team at (716) 686-8040.