For Medical Professionals
You work hard to care for patients with serious illness. We’re here to support you.
This page is for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, discharge planners, and staff in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.
Hospicare is your local nonprofit hospice and palliative care provider for Tompkins and Cortland counties. We partner with you to identify appropriate patients, manage complex symptoms, and support families at the end of life. Our goal is simple: help you provide excellent, compassionate care without feeling like you have to do it alone.
Consults & referrals: 607-272-0212
Non-urgent questions: Contact Us
Hospice & Palliative Care at a Glance
Palliative Care
Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of serious illness and can be provided alongside curative or life-prolonging treatment.
Palliative care can help when:
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Symptoms are difficult to control (pain, dyspnea, nausea, anxiety, etc.)
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There are frequent ED visits or hospitalizations
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Patients and families need support with complex decisions and goals of care
Hospice Care
Hospice is appropriate when life expectancy is likely six months or less if the illness runs its usual course, and the focus is on comfort rather than cure.
Hospice care includes:
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Expert management of pain and other distressing symptoms
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Emotional, spiritual, and practical support for patients and families
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Care wherever the patient lives: home, skilled nursing, or assisted living
How to Refer or Request a Consult
We aim to make referrals and consults as simple as possible.
The fastest way to reach us: Call Admissions at 607-272-0212
Non-urgent questions or follow-up: Contact Us
Helpful Information to Have Ready
- When you contact us, it’s helpful (but not required) to have
- Patient demographics and insurance information
- Primary diagnosis and relevant comorbidities
- Recent notes (H&P, discharge summary, consults)
- Code status / advance directives (if available)
- Primary family or caregiver contact
Anyone can call to start the conversation—medical professionals, facility staff, patients, or family members. We will always loop in the attending provider.
Education & Training for Healthcare Teams
We offer education and support for medical practices, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living communities. Trainings can be provided on-site or virtually and tailored to your team.
Provider & Staff Orientation to Hospicare
Give your team a clear understanding of how we work with you and your patients.
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Overview of hospice and palliative care services
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What to expect when a patient is admitted
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How hospice works in homes, SNFs, and ALFs
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How we communicate and coordinate with your staff and attending providers
Coaching on Difficult Conversations
We help clinicians feel more confident in high-stakes conversations, including:
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Talking honestly about prognosis and end-of-life options
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Introducing hospice and palliative care without patients feeling “abandoned”
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Supporting families who are fearful, conflicted, or grieving
Training: When to Refer to Hospice
We offer practical, diagnosis- and function-based guidance on referral timing, such as:
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Common indicators in SNFs and ALFs (functional decline, recurrent hospitalizations, advanced dementia, weight loss, frailty)
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Red flags for patients with heart failure, lung disease, cancer, and other serious illnesses
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How earlier referral can improve quality of life and reduce crises
To schedule an in-service or training for your team, contact Kimmy Jones at (607) 272-0212 or send her an email.
Clinical Tools & Handouts
We can provide materials to support your work with patients and families. Depending on your needs and setting, these may include:
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Hospice and palliative care overview for patients and families
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“When to Consider Hospice” guide (by diagnosis and functional status)
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Information sheets on hospice care in skilled nursing and assisted living settings
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Grief and bereavement support information for families after a death
If you need something specific—such as dementia-focused tools or disease-specific materials—we’re happy to collaborate.