Locally, Hospice was conceived through the efforts of interested individuals and agencies who saw a need to develop an alternative plan of care.
Hospice care was first discussed in March 1983 at a meeting of the Central New York Health Systems Agency. By October of that year, the Cayuga County Office for the Aging agreed to act as the focal point for the growing interest in establishing such services. Following continued community involvement, an organization called ComforTcare of Cayuga County evolved.
At the same time, a volunteer group from the United Ministry of Aurora sought training from Hospicare of Tompkins County as an outreach project to support and assist professionals in the care of the terminally ill and their family. Known as Hospicor, these volunteers assisted patients and families with companionship, personal care, respite, counseling, homemaking, childcare and bereavement follow-up. These volunteers combined their forces with ComforTcare; and in May of 1988, the agency was certified by the New York State Health Department as Hospice of the Finger Lakes.
Today Hospice of the Finger Lakes serves terminally ill patients and their families in their own homes throughout Cayuga County, as well as the townships of Skaneateles, Spafford and Elbridge in Onondaga County.