Hospice of Central New York

Pros

• The staff were amazing, always available, and willing to answer questions with kindness.
• They are described as angels on earth sent to help families through difficult times.
• Hospice is a wonderful resource for end-of-life care, with unmatched compassion.
• The nurses, aides, and chaplains provided compassionate, supportive care to families.
• The care helped make a painful time more bearable for loved ones.
• The hospice team is described as a blessing, leaving a lasting positive impression.

Cons

• Grief Services are not helpful in any way; they offer drastically limited service, and it's not worth the time.
• The grief counseling policy is not compassionate toward families dealing with multiple deaths at once.
• The 20-visit limit for grief counseling is inflexible, even when two relatives die within a short span.
• The staff reportedly do not follow masking guidelines around family members, despite public health recommendations.
• One reviewer described hospice as "Dr death," indicating a strongly negative perception.

Review

The collection of experiences shared about hospice care paints a picture of a service that can be a lifeline for families in crisis, even as it falls short for some. Across the notes, there is a clear reverence for the comfort and compassion shown by many hospice workers, paired with frustration when expectations - especially around hands-on physical support and grief services - do not align with what families need during the hardest moments of illness and loss. The overarching thread is that the people who work in hospice are often described as kind, patient, and deeply devoted to easing suffering, while systemic gaps, policy limits, and occasional miscommunications leave some families feeling underserved.

A recurring theme centers on the physical aspects of care and the sense that families may feel adrift when they are asked to manage end-of-life needs on their own. One reviewer bluntly frames the issue: while families can handle pain management and comfort care, "it's the physical part that families need help with, that they can't get." This sentiment contrasts with the many statements extolling the competence and dedication of individual caregivers, yet it underscores a real concern about whether the right hands are always available to guide families through the most tangible, daily tasks as a loved one nears the end of life.

Grief services, in particular, receive mixed verdicts. Some reviewers express outright disappointment, arguing that grief counseling and related supports are not as helpful as hoped. They point to limited offerings - "20 appointments when someone dies" - and to rigid policies that appear to fail when the death involves multiple family members in quick succession. One account describes a mother and another loved one dying within 24 hours of each other and a policy that denied extra sessions, even when the bereavement needs were more complex. The frustration of not being able to extend support during a time of compounded loss - "a big deal" made over six additional visits - left the reviewer feeling overwhelmed and skeptical about the system, even as they ultimately sought healing with or without hospice support.

Despite these criticisms, gratitude for hospice staff and the care they provide is a dominant counterpoint. Numerous entries express heartfelt thanks to the teams who cared for loved ones, with phrases like "Thank you to everyone at hospice that helped with my mom. We are so grateful for the care and kindness we received from everyone. Always available, always able to answer questions, and always there to reassure and help any way they could. These people were our angels on earth." Such declarations recur throughout, emphasizing the daily acts of compassion that families remember long after a loved one has passed. The sense of solace and reassurance provided by hospice workers is a common thread, portrayed not only as clinical competence but as genuine, human care that makes a painful process more bearable.

Individual staff members also stand out in these stories, underscoring the personal impact of hospice care. Some reviewers praise specific nurses, aides, and chaplains by name, describing them as life-changing figures in their family's journey. For instance, one account lauds a nurse, another praises a nursing aide named Kathy for her gentle, steady support, and another speaks of Sherry Golden as an "angel" whose presence and guidance offered more than just medical care. In the most affectionate terms, caregivers are described as "angels," "new friends," and a "voice of reason" in the midst of grief, with their tenderness making a difficult time more bearable and meaningful.

There are also individual testimonials that speak to the ongoing role hospice can play after the initial loss. Some reviewers continue to rely on hospice services for ongoing grief counseling months after a parent's death, affirming that the support does help them navigate the continuing emotional landscape. Others reflect on the care received for multiple family members across a span of time, praising how hospice staff provided not only practical care but emotional support for the entire family. Even when a reviewer was initially hesitant or uncertain about hospice - describing a personal initial fear or misunderstanding of what hospice really means - the experience evolved into appreciation for the compassionate approach and the sense of being supported through both the clinical and emotional journeys.

Beyond the praise for compassion and competence, there are occasional cautions and critiques about policy and practice. One reviewer points to a political/regulatory dimension - urging adherence to masking guidelines and suggesting lapses in following public health directives - framing it as a matter of safety and responsibility. While not all agree on those specifics, the sentiment reflects a broader concern with how well institutions adhere to guidelines designed to protect patients, families, and staff. In this vein, some readers emphasize that hospice should remain a trusted, consistent resource for end-of-life quality, with steady adherence to best practices that keep patients safe and comfortable.

In sum, the narratives reveal hospice as a deeply valued refuge during profound life events - a place where many families feel their loved ones are treated with dignity, compassion, and thoughtful care. The strongest voice of gratitude repeatedly underscores that the staff - the nurses, aides, chaplains, and support teams - are the core of the experience, often described in almost sacred terms. Yet there are persistent concerns about the sufficiency and accessibility of physical care support for families, as well as questions about grief services and policy constraints. Taken together, these accounts illustrate what hospice does well - the human touch that eases suffering and honors a life lived - while also highlighting opportunities to improve the practical, ongoing supports that families rely on as they navigate illness, caregiving, and bereavement.

This area of Liverpool, New York, is a convenient and bustling neighborhood with a variety of amenities within close proximity. There are several medical facilities such as UMC Medical Consultants and Merola Family Dentistry nearby, providing easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are pharmacies like Kinney Drugs and Wegmans for medication needs. The neighborhood also offers a selection of dining options including Santangelo's Restaurant and Zebb's Deluxe Grill & Bar. For recreational activities, residents can enjoy parks like Onondaga Lake Park and Heritage Park. Public transportation options such as Amtrak and Enterprise Rent-A-Car are available for easy travel. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services, dining choices, and recreational opportunities suitable for senior living.

Physicians

• UMC Medical Consultants (0.4 miles)
• The LASIK Vision Institute (0.7 miles)
• Merola Family Dentistry of Liverpool (0.7 miles)
• Oellers, Patrick Retina Vitreous Surgeons of Central New York Pc (1.2 miles)
• Family Medicine Associates of Cny PC (1.4 miles)
• Colon Rectal Associates of Central New York (1.7 miles)
• St Joseph's Imaging Associates (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Kinney Drugs (0.5 miles)
• Wegmans (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Wegmans (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Santangelo's Restaurant (0.9 miles)
• Heid's of Liverpool (1.1 miles)
• Onondaga Yacht Club (1.6 miles)
• Zebb's Deluxe Grill & Bar (1.7 miles)
• Brooklyn Pickle North (1.7 miles)
• Jake Hafner's Restaurant & Tavern (2 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Specialty Surgery Center Of Cny (1.2 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital Health Center (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Onondaga Lake Park (1.3 miles)
• Heritage Park (3.2 miles)
• Hamlin Marsh (3.4 miles)
• Clinton Square (3.6 miles)
• Clay Park Central (3.6 miles)
• Long Branch Park (3.9 miles)
• Burnet Park (4.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Paul's Lutheran Church (1.3 miles)
• The Vineyard Church (3.8 miles)

Cafes

• Freedom of Espresso (1.5 miles)
• Original Grain (3.8 miles)
• Cafe Kubal (3.9 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (1.7 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.3 miles)
• Baggage Claim (3.6 miles)
• Airport Operations Office (3.7 miles)
• Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) (3.8 miles)
• Centro Transit Hub (4.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Destiny USA IMAX & RPX (2.1 miles)