Helpful Resources & Links

At Hospeace House, we know that learning about hospice, comfort care, and end-of-life planning can raise many questions. To help, we’ve gathered a collection of trusted resources — including a New York State site, educational websites, and support groups. They offer guidance and reliable information for individuals and families exploring palliative care and changing goals of care.

Government Resources

https://ag.ny.gov/publications/advance-directives
This online resource offers an easy-to-understand overview of advance health care directives, with clear explanations and up-to-date information from trusted sources.

Informational Websites

https://fivewishes.org
Five Wishes is an easy and thoughtful tool to help families and care teams talk about advance care planning. You can fill it out online, print it, or upload it to a national registry so it’s always accessible to loved ones and medical providers. The cost is under $10.

https://deathwithdignity.org/states/new-york/
Death with Dignity offers current information and updates on New York’s proposed Medical Aid in Dying Act, which has passed both legislative houses and is now under consideration by the Governor.

https://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is a powerful book by surgeon and author Atul Gawande, exploring end-of-life care through both professional insight and personal experience with his aging father. Widely acclaimed, it offers valuable perspective for the general public, healthcare professionals, students, and caregivers alike.

Support Groups

UR Thompson Hospital offers monthly Grief Support Groups at the Constellation Center to help individuals and families cope with loss in a supportive environment. For more information, contact Janice Lum at Janice_Lum@URMC.Rochester.edu or call 585-396-6486.

https://onlinegriefsupport.com
Online Grief Support is a compassionate virtual community where people experiencing loss can connect and share through blogs, forums, and discussion groups. With over 14,000 members, the platform encourages journal writing, peer interaction, and moderated conversations. Basic participation (e.g. forums and blogging) is free, though some services or premium features may incur a fee.