In our area the hospice movement began in 1981 with a group of interested clergy and volunteers. Dr. Yoshiro Matsuo became involved and by 1983 we had a volunteer based hospice. In 1988 Catskill Area Hospice became a Medicare Certified Hospice with a paid professional staff in Otsego and northern Delaware Counties. In 1992 the rest of Delaware County was included and in 1994 we began serving Schoharie County.

In 1998 Catskill Area Hospice added Palliative Care to its name to reflect an expanding of services to patients outside the Medicare definition of hospice. Palliative care is like hospice care because it concentrates on comfort care and on quality of life issues. Patients receiving palliative care services do not have to have a limited prognosis and can continue curative therapies.

Since 1988 Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care has served patients and their families. Future goals include:

1. Expanding our Palliative Care services to be available to all persons in need of comfort care at home, in nursing homes and hospitals

2. Building a Hospice Residence to accommodate Hospice patients who are unable to be cared for at home.

3. Establishing a regional bereavement center to house support groups, and counseling services for bereaved family members including children.

Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care continues its mission to "Make life easier" for patients with advanced disease and their families across our three county area.