About Us

How We Began…

Conceived of need and compassion, born and nurtured by six caring local couples, and built by a most generous community, the Keuka Comfort Care Home opened its arms in September of 2007 to area families in need of terminal care for a loved one.

This state-of-the-art terminal care facility was drafted and adapted from borrowed plans, erected entirely by volunteers, and constructed at roughly one-third of budget due to an unusually large number of in-kind donations from local contractors and suppliers. After nine months of extraordinary communal efforts, the Keuka Comfort Care Home was ready to accept its first residents on its bucolic hillside overlooking Keuka Lake. 

The need for a local comfort care facility was realized when a common friend of local residents decided it was unacceptable for Yates county-area residents to travel long distances to visit terminally ill loved ones. They came together to initiate a change, and 2 years later the Keuka Comfort Care Home is in operation. KCCH has proven to be a valuable asset to our community. We will forever be grateful for the effort of the start-up committee, comprised of Bill & Rosalie McEvily, Bill & Barb Schrouder, Rick & Jean Thompson, Bill & Nancy Kays, Tom & Betty Rakovan, Bob & Margo Shaw. 

a group of people

Rosalie McEvily, Margo Shaw, Barb Schrouder. Back Row: Nancy Kays, Bill Kays, Bill Schrouder, Bob Shaw, Betty Rakovan, Tom Rakovan, and Bill McEvily. Absent: Rick and Jean Thomspon

About Us

KCCH is a two (2) bed private home overlooking Keuka Lake. We welcome persons with a terminal illness who are determined to be within the last three months of their lives. Our home operates according to the principles and practices of the hospice philosophy.

There is no fee for our care. Our link with the health care system is the contact your family members have with the certified hospice agency. In Yates County the certified agency is UR Home Care Hospice. The agency assures that medication and needed medical supplies are available as well other services that are required under hospice care. 

What makes KCCH different from the resident’s own living situation? We strive to relieve the family of major care-giving responsibilities enabling them to spend more quality time with their loved one. 

What is Comfort Care?

The focus of comfort care is to alleviate symptoms rather than trying to cure or change the course of a terminal illness. With that in mind, we do not use IV fluid for hydration, tube feedings nor CPR. Both the resident and family need to understand and agree to these guidelines before admission to KCCH. 

A primary focus of this ministry is to make each resident as pain-free and symptom-free as possible. We do nothing to hasten or prolong the person’s natural dying process. 

hand holding a house with logo text

How We’re Funded

Keuka Comfort Care Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We exist totally through the generosity of others.

We do not charge residents, their families or their insurance companies, and we do not receive reimbursement from Ontario-Yates Hospice. Our funding comes primarily through private donations, memorials, grants and fund raising.

To make a donation, visit our Donation page where you can donate online or through the mail.

Fundraising committees plan several events each year. See our Support page for more information.

Our Staff

Karen Walker, RN – Executive Director

Karen was born and raised in Penn Yan. She has a wonderful husband and two wonderful adult children. Karen has been an RN for over 30 years. She previously held positions at Soldiers & Sailors Hospital and Pre-Emption Family Medicine with Dr. Bell. Most recently she was the Director of Nursing at Penn Yan Manor. She now is thrilled to be a part of KCCH as Director.

Ashley Jones – Volunteer Coordinator

Ashley is a native of Penn Yan and shares her home with her husband, Jason, 3 kids, a cat and two dogs! She is a nurse and has worked at the Homestead, followed by many years of working in family practice, pediatrics and private home care.

Our Board of Directors

The Board of Directors governs and oversees management of KCCH. They donate their time, have regular meetings and are quite active in fundraisers and other activities in and related to the home.

MATTHEW BULL
-PRESIDENT-
KEVIN RING
-PAST PRESIDENT-
MARY ELLEN GRIFFITHS -TREASURER-
LINDA RAIDE
-SECRETARY-
Judy Ackart
Dawn Dennis
Pam Donnells
Wendy Gifford
Mary Ellen Hamm
Anne Killen
Jane Lawson
Donna Nielsen
Laura Opelt