Hospice is Here – Inpatient Care 
in a Home-like Setting

Mary & Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Hospice Inpatient Unit

Our Hospice Inpatient Unit (HIU) on the Mitchell Campus in Cheektowaga, NY, provides a relaxing home-like setting for select patients and their families. Our unique, 22-bed unit is only offered to patients whose pain or symptoms cannot be managed at home or are approaching their final stage. Hospice patients can also be admitted to the unit for short-term respite care to give the patient’s caregivers a short break.

Our HIU features spacious private rooms, lounge areas, large family kitchen, and a non-denominational chapel. Our beautiful Mitchell Campus is a serene, park-like setting with an outdoor courtyard featuring a stunning copper waterfall with a pond for the ducks, benches to watch the deer, bird houses that can be viewed from patients' rooms, and many other tranquil places, like our gazebo and patio off each wing. Family members especially enjoy reading the inscribed bricks that line our Memorial Walkway which honors loved ones who have passed in our hospice program.

Care Services Provided to Our Patients

• Short-term acute care
• Pain and symptom-management
• Final weeks of life
• Medical care provided by hospice physician and registered nurse
• Family conference with medical staff
• 5-day respite care
• Dining with personalized menus
• Massage and music therapy
• Relaxation tapes
• Whirlpool bath, if appropriate 

Benefits to Patient’s Family

Our Dietary staff at Hospice Buffalo is fully committed to meeting the needs of every guest in a thoughtful and respectful manner. Understanding the comforting and emotional qualities of food, we strive to honor dietary restrictions and preferences in our Bistro and Patient meal services.

Our Volunteer-staffed Bistro Hours:
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Food Options

• Seasonal daily specials
• Grab-&-Go selections
• Fresh food vending machine
• Made-to-order menu* for guests available everyday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., dial Ext. 2154 

*If you have any special dietary requests, please feel free to contact the Dietary Department (ext. 2154) and we will do our best to honor them.

How do you qualify for the Hospice Inpatient Unit?

• Patient must have a signed DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order.
• Patient is already in our Hospice Buffalo program.

Our Dedicated Staff

• Hospice physicians
• Registered nurses
• Licensed nurse practitioners
• Nurses’ aides
• Social workers
• Non-denominational Spiritual Care Counselors
• Trained volunteers
• Music and Massage Therapists

General Information

The main entrance to the Bender Care Center/HIU is open from 7 a.m.– 6 p.m. If you would like to visit after hours, please ring the bell or use the telephone located within the main entrance to call the staff to admit you. It is also wise to phone ahead to alert the staff of your "after-hours" visit; call 716-686-8068 or -8067. One visitor may stay overnight in the patient's private room. Smoking is NOT allowed in the unit or on campus grounds.