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XRX Pioneer Club
of Rochester, Inc. |
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Shepherd Home Comfort Care Overview of Comfort Care A comfort care home is a two bedroom home that operates under the "Hospice Care" philosophy, providing 24 hours service and care in a home-like setting. The home offers physical, emotional and spiritual support to those facing the prospect of death. This also includes personalized support for family members, bereavement counseling, and community education. Requirements for admission The Home is for people who are diagnosed with less than three months to live. Referrals come from a certified hospice agency such as Visiting Nurse Service or Lifetime Care. Because there are sometimes more than two people needing this service, those with the greatest need will be selected first. Cost to the resident There are no costs to anyone. We are a not-for-profit organization consisting of three paid staff workers supported by at least three hundred volunteers per month. Finances Financial support comes from the community in the form of donations, grants and various fund raising events. Vision and Principles We recognize dying as a normal part of life and we neither seek to hasten the process nor to postpone it. The emphasis, rather, is on making whatever remains of life as pleasant as possible and on encouraging all that are involved to live life fully and creatively. There are over 16 comfort care homes in Monroe and surrounding counties. Advent House in Perinton and Webster Comfort Care House are nearest to Penfield. History In 1997 a group from St. Joseph and Heritage Christian Homes met to explore the possibility of starting a comfort care home. Spearheaded by Ray Wilcox and Rev. Kevin Murphy several information meetings were held with the intent of involving the entire community. Their plans did not come to fruition and the group dissolved in 1999. A cadre of 18 dedicated and determined people remained who still wanted to serve the community in this manner. In October 1999 upon hearing of a small group in Webster providing respite care to people in their homes, this group was encouraged to form its own group of respite care volunteers. Headed by Joan Benati, R.N., this group had been providing respite care to Penfield people in their homes for the past 7 years. During this time they have cared for over 300 clients in their homes or in nursing homes such as Hill Haven. This remains a viable ministry but is not affiliated with the operation of Shepherd Home, Inc. Once again in 2000 interest by a small group, some of which were from the 1997 group, returned to explore the prospect of developing a comfort care home in Penfield. A formal survey was taken and the results reinforced the need for a community comfort care home. Thus, under the leadership of Ray Wilcox the group decided to go ahead with the project and Shepherd Home was incorporated in December 2001. After careful analysis and study, the group decided it was more feasible to build a home from scratch vs renovating an existing home. The current site was selected, and the lease agreements were signed with the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in June 2004. By August 2004 Jim Barbato, President of Pride Mark Homes, Inc. volunteered to be the general contractor and Rochester Home Builder's Association Executive Vice President, Rick Herman pledged their support. On April 18, 2005 the digging of the foundation began and Shepherd Home construction phase was completed on June 30, 2005. Staffing was completed by October and the first resident arrived in November. The giving and dedicated spirit of many, many people has and continues to keep this ministry a viable asset in the Penfield community. Shepherd Home is grateful to all who support this ministry |
