ALLEGANY — Each November, HomeCare & Hospice joins communities across the nation in recognizing National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, a time to reflect on the comfort, dignity and compassion that hospice care brings to individuals and families facing life’s final chapter.

Melissa Sullivan

Hospice is not about giving up hope but about redefining it — focusing on quality of life, meaningful connections and peace of mind.

This year’s national theme, “We See the Whole You,” celebrates nonprofit hospice and healthcare providers who deliver person-centered care that honors each individual’s unique story, values and hopes while supporting families through some of life’s most meaningful, yet challenging, moments.

“At HomeCare & Hospice, we see and honor every person as an individual,” said Melissa Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of Community Care of Western New York. “Our mission is rooted in compassion — to care for people with dignity, respect and empathy — while supporting their loved ones with understanding and comfort. Hospice is not about endings. It’s about ensuring that every day counts.”

As the nation’s population continues to age, the importance of hospice and palliative care has never been greater. These programs improve quality of life for patients facing life-limiting illness and provide emotional, spiritual and practical support for their families.

A Legacy of Compassionate Care

Hospice care began as a small movement in the 1970s, championed by visionaries who believed in care that focused on comfort and dignity.

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter helped bring hospice into the national spotlight by supporting demonstration projects through what was then the Health Care Financing Administration. His leadership laid the foundation for hospice to grow into the essential benefit it is today.

On Aug. 13, 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act, officially creating the Medicare Hospice Benefit, a historic step that made end-of-life care accessible to those in need. Four years later, Congress voted to make the benefit permanent, guaranteeing that compassionate hospice care would remain a right, not a privilege.

Yet, despite this strong foundation, many families still wait until the final days to reach out to hospice, missing out on the full benefits of this extraordinary care. Early involvement allows patients to better manage symptoms, families to feel supported and everyone to focus on what truly matters — time together.

Ways to Celebrate and Support 

Throughout the month, HomeCare & Hospice encourages the community to learn more, get involved, and give back through several meaningful opportunities:

• Purchase a Tree of Life ornament: Honor or remember someone special with a keepsake ornament that supports the HomeCare & Hospice Foundation.
• Enjoy a Compassion Care blossom donut — Created locally at Olean Food Barn, these special donuts benefit the Hospice Foundation, with a portion of each sale donated back. Larger orders can also be delivered to our Arcade office for those who wish to enjoy these creations closer to home.
• Visit the Olean Public Library — Stop by during November to view a special display highlighting the hospice and homecare services we provide and the lives we’re honored to touch.
• Join the 50/50/500 Challenge — Be one of 50 individuals or organizations helping to raise funds for our Hospice Foundation’s Annual Appeal through this community raffle.

A Philosophy of Hope and Humanity

Hospice is more than a healthcare service — it is a philosophy of comfort, peace and respect that began as a grassroots effort and continues today as a national legacy of care.

“Working in hospice has shown me how powerful compassion can be,” Sullivan shared. “The care we provide eases pain, brings families together and reminds people that every moment still matters. It’s something I believe in deeply, both as a professional and as a daughter, wife and friend. I’d want the same grace and dignity for my own family.”

HomeCare & Hospice invites everyone to take time this month to learn about the vital role hospice and palliative care play in our communities — and to celebrate those who dedicate their lives to ensuring that compassionate care continues to touch hearts across Allegany, Cattaraugus, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

For more information, call (716) 372-2106, visit homecare-hospice.org or email Sarah Negron, agency relations coordinator, at snegron@homecare-hospice.org.