United Hospice of Rockland (UHR) Joe Raso Hospice Residence (JRHR) Provides Home-Like Environment for the Holidays

United Hospice of Rockland’s (UHR) Joe Raso Hospice Residence (JRHR) provides a homey environment for residents and their families and friends during the holidays. Decorations and holiday foods provide a warm, comfortable, familiar atmosphere affirming that life continues at the residence.

UHR Executive Director Amy Stern said, “We used to say that hospice was not a place, but that changed with the opening of UHR’s Joe Raso Hospice Residence and the admittance of our first residents.  The JRHR is available for our seriously ill loved ones, friends and neighbors who live alone with no support system in place to complement UHR’s program of care, for those who live with an elderly or infirm partner whose own condition prevents them from being able to provide adequate care or support, for those who come from institutional settings or return from having spent time outside the community, and for those who have no home to which they can return or have families who are fearful of caring for their loved ones at home during their final phases of life.  The JRHR  provides options that were not previously available in our community. The completion of this project helps us to close a gap in the continuum of care that has existed for far too long.”   

All inquiries on behalf of individuals who are not presently on the hospice program should be directed to the United Hospice of Rockland Help Center, 845-634-4974.  Individuals must meet hospice eligibility requirements. Medical, psychosocial, spiritual needs of each patient will be assessed to determine the ability to meet their needs at the residence while balancing it with the needs of residents who are already there.

Situated in New City, on a peaceful eleven-acre setting of streams, woodlands, wildlife, and a pond, the Joe Raso Hospice Residence offers a home-like environment while providing the full complement of UHR comfort-oriented care. Services include expert pain and symptom management, nursing care, assistance with the tasks of daily living, friendly visiting by volunteers, spiritual and psycho-social counseling for patients and their loved ones, and bereavement counseling and support groups for surviving family members.

Amenities include:  

·      Ten private, spacious suites, offering space for visiting family members and convertible furniture for overnight stays, a great room with fireplace where residents and family members can gather to visit, read, play a game, or listen to music.

·      Private areas for family meetings and gatherings as well as prayer, meditation and contemplation.

·      A large and welcoming kitchen where meals will be prepared and where patients and guests can dine if they choose.

·      Specially-designed spa including a special “wheel-in” bathtub, radiant heat and a massage therapy table.

·      Customized dining options tailored to meet the special needs of each individual.

·      Life-enhancing therapies, such as music, pet, and massage.

·      Special outdoor spaces, including gardens and a courtyard that will accommodate wheelchairs and beds.

Founded in 1988, United Hospice of Rockland Inc. (UHR), a 401(c3) nonprofit corporation, enables patients with advanced illnesses to live in comfort, with dignity, and surrounded by those they love and serves as a resource for palliative care, bereavement support, and information about end of life issues. United Hospice of Rockland is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and meets the Standards for Charity Accountability of the Better Business Bureau, Inc. In addition, UHR received a third consecutive 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. When time matters most, UHR provides care, comfort and improved quality of life to individuals and their families and offers compassionate support to members of the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one.  For further information, contact United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956.  Call 845 634-4974 or visit www.hospiceofrockland.org.