CareFirstNY

10/28/2026

As the days get shorter and the season gets cozier, it’s the perfect time to slow down, get creative, and make space for reflection 🍂

Join us for our final Paint & Heal Series: Seasons of Change session of the year next Friday, November 6!
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This guided acrylic painting experience offers a gentle, creative way to explore loss, healing, and hope alongside others. No art experience is needed—just come as you are!

Register here: https://carefirstny-bloom.kindful.com/e/paint-heal-fall-2026

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Sponsored registrations are available for anyone who may need financial assistance. Contact [email protected] to learn more.

Facilitated by Kate Buzzell in collaboration with 171 Cedar Arts Center and CareFirstNY’s Grief Support Team.

10/27/2026

Today, October 27, is known as Día de los Mu***os de las Mascotas, a special day when families honor the beloved animal companions who have passed away as part of the Día de los Mu***os (Day of the Dead) season of remembrance.
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According to this modern tradition, the spirits of departed pets return to visit their families before the main Día de los Mu***os observances on November 1 and 2. Families welcome their beloved companions through an ofrenda—a special altar filled with photographs, favorite toys, flowers, and meaningful keepsakes—to celebrate the love, joy, and companionship our pets brought into our lives 🌼
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Want to create an ofrenda for a beloved pet? See the graphic below for simple ideas to help you build a meaningful space to honor their memory.

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10/27/2026

The hospice journey can bring questions, uncertainty, and emotions that are hard to put into words. If you or someone you love is navigating this journey, we hope these reminders bring a little comfort.
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And if you need support along the way, CareFirstNY is here for you 💙💛🧡

Learn more at CareFirstNY.org/hospice

10/26/2026

Getting to Know You: Sarah Schmitt – Hospice Social Work Intern

Sarah joined the CareFirstNY team this fall as a hospice social work intern and will be with us through May while completing her Master of Social Work at Binghamton University.

During her internship, Sarah will be out in the field alongside our hospice social workers, gaining hands-on experience supporting patients and families in their homes and other care settings. She’s looking forward to learning from our team, developing new skills to build meaningful connections with patients, and gaining a deeper understanding of how individuals and families navigate grief.

Sarah shared what she finds most rewarding about social work:

“One thing I love are the relationships that we are privileged enough to build with our patients. I’m excited to connect and build my own relationships in the field.”

Outside of work and school, Sarah enjoys spending time with her cat, Bobbi, reading, being in nature, and building miniature sets. One item on her bucket list is taking a healing retreat with her sisters!

We’re excited to have you here, Sarah, and look forward to supporting you as you learn and grow during your time with us! 💙💛🧡

10/22/2026

What does spiritual care mean in hospice?
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It’s about more than religion and prayer. It’s about listening, finding meaning, honoring life stories, and helping people feel connected and supported during life’s most tender moments.

This National Spiritual Care Week, we invite you to read our blog to learn more about how spiritual care supports patients and families in ways that honor what matters most to them 🤍

Read more: https://carefirstny.org/the-care-collective-blog/f/beyond-belief-how-spiritual-care-helps-patients-find-peace

When people hear the term spiritual care, they often think of religion or prayer. While those can be part of it, spiritual care in hospice reaches much deeper—it’s about connection, meaning, and peace.

10/19/2026

As we wrap up our trial run of our Brighten a Day Hospice Bouquet program, we’re feeling SO grateful for the kindness our community has shared over the past two weeks!

Together, we delivered 2️⃣3️⃣ beautiful bouquets to 23 CareFirstNY hospice patients—each one a little reminder that someone is thinking of them 💐

This pilot wouldn’t have been the same without so many people sharing in the kindness. A heartfelt thank you to:

- Everyone who purchased a bouquet for choosing to brighten someone’s day and spread a little unexpected kindness.

- Sydney at Fee Fi Fo Farm for thoughtfully creating each bouquet, partnering with us to bring this idea to life, and generously donating an additional bouquet each week.

- Our clinical team members for helping identify patients who could especially use a little pick-me-up and some extra brightness in their week.

- Our Community Engagement team members, Ashley Crimmins and Kate Fuller for delivering the flowers and taking time to visit and connect with the patients receiving them.

- Our patients and their families for welcoming us into their homes and sharing a little of their day with us. It was a privilege to spend that time together.

Thank you all for making these first 23 deliveries so special!
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Pictured below is our patient Frances with her RN Case Manager, Tonya, after receiving her bouquet. She was all smiles and so grateful for the beautiful blooms!

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Our two-week pilot may be over for the season, but Brighten a Day Hospice Bouquets will be back this spring! We can’t wait to bring more locally-grown flowers—and more unexpected moments of kindness—to the people we serve when the blooms return.

10/16/2026

Thank you to those who attended our recent Carrying Love Forward presentation at the Clemens Center 💟

CareFirstNY Grief Support Coordinator Ric Miller, LMSW, CGP, CCTP, led a thoughtful conversation about grief, loss, and healing. Together, attendees explored the many ways grief can affect our lives, healthy ways to cope with loss, and how we can support others who are grieving.
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Navigating grief can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. If you're looking for support, we invite you to join us this coming Wednesday 10/21 for our free Moving Forward After Loss Support Group, a welcoming space to connect with others who understand the challenges of grief and share in the journey toward healing.

Learn more at CareFirstNY.org/events or call (607) 962-3100.

10/15/2026

A simple phone call can make a meaningful difference!

CareFirstNY is looking for volunteers to join our Compassionate Caller team:
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Each Thursday between 9 AM and 1 PM, Compassionate Caller volunteers make weekly “tuck-in” calls to our hospice patients and families. These friendly check-ins help us find out if there’s anything they need before the weekend, from medication refills to medical equipment or other support.
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If a need comes up, our volunteer shares that information with the care team so they can follow up, coordinate services, and help ensure patients and families have what they need.
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It’s a simple but important way to offer reassurance, strengthen connections, and help others feel supported.

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Do you have a few free hours on Thursdays and a heart for helping others? Contact CareFirstNY at (607) 962-3100 or [email protected] to learn more about becoming a Compassionate Caller volunteer.

10/14/2026

We’re grateful to Megan Guzylak and her husband, Kevin, for their generous gift of $1,065 to CareFirstNY through Greyson Day, an initiative created in loving memory of their son, Greyson.

Following the loss, our grief support services helped them navigate an incredibly difficult time. Today, we’re honored to be part of a community effort that transforms their love for Greyson into support for others.

As a member of CareFirstNY’s Board of Directors, Megan also continues to share her time and dedication with our organization. We’re thankful for her connection to our mission and for the opportunity to support families experiencing loss, just as we supported hers.

Megan and Kevin, thank you for allowing Greyson’s memory to make a difference in the lives of others. Your generosity is a beautiful reminder that love continues long after loss, and that even in the most difficult moments, compassion can help carry us forward 💛

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Pictured (left to right): Emily Smith (CFNY Director of Finance), Megan Guzylak, Kevin Guzylak, and Cindy Lewis (CFNY Director of Community Impact)