Hospice

MaineGeneral Hospice focuses on bringing you comfort when you are ill, and supporting those who care for you.

A team of expertly trained professionals and volunteers works with you, your family and your physician to understand and honor your wishes during this time in your life and give you the care you need.

Overview of Services

Identify and support your goals of care
Work with you to develop a visit schedule based on your needs and preferences
On-call nurse available for questions, visits or other urgent needs
Assist with end-of-life planning including completing an advance directive
Support for you and your caregivers

Medical Services

Physical, occupational and speech therapy to help you maintain your strength, mobility and communication
Palliative care including pain and symptom management
Arrangement of your medications, equipment and supplies

Support Services

Teach your caregivers how to give you the care you need
Provide emotional support for you and your caregivers
Help finding community resources on end-of-life goal setting and planning
Spiritual support if desired from our Hospice chaplain which is sensitive to your beliefs and does not promote a specific religion or spiritual practice. The chaplain can connect you with your preferred faith community.
Up to four hours a week of care from our trained Hospice volunteers
Respite care for up to five days in a contracted facility for times when a caregiver needs a break (i.e. when someone is ill or exhausted)

Personal Care

Companionship
Bathing, dressing and grooming assistance
Light meal preparation and housekeeping help
Help with errands and transportation

Unique Therapies for Added Comfort and Support

Massage Therapy - Provided by licensed massage therapists to help decrease anxiety and enhance relaxation, comfort and well-being
Expressive Arts (music) - Musicians offer their creative arts to bring comfort, peace and relaxation
Pet Therapy - When available, hospice volunteers may bring certified therapy dogs who provide unconditional love and comfort during their bedside visits

Grief Support

Bereavement services (grief support) for loved ones by specially trained counselors and volunteers, as well as through peer support groups, phone calls and mailings.

Learn more about Grief Support

Hospice Volunteers

Trained Hospice Volunteers offer companionship and both practical and emotional support for individuals and families for up to four hours a week. They complete 32 hours of comprehensive training and also must complete eight hours of continuing education annually. Volunteers must provide references and have a background check as well.

Volunteers may help with light housekeeping, fixing meals, running errands, providing transportation or just visiting with you while your loved one is away.

Our volunteers are excellent listeners and compassionate people. We try to match your interests and needs to our volunteers. All our volunteers donate their time and skills because they care.

If you are interested in being a Hospice Volunteer, please call toll-free: (877) 561-7299.

Inpatient Care

Brief inpatient stays are available when symptoms are hard to control in a home setting.

Your Care Team

Medical director certified in hospice and palliative care
Nurses
Pharmacists
Social workers
Physical, speech and occupational therapists as needed
Home health aides
Hospice chaplain
Trained Hospice volunteers

Hospice Pharmacy

Medications related to your hospice plan of care are covered by Medicare, MaineCare and other hospice benefits.

MaineGeneral Hospice works with Optum Pharmacy Services and local pharmacies to provide these medications. The Hospice nurse will order the medications you need from the local pharmacy of your choice.

Dementia Care

We support the unique needs of people with dementia and provide support to families. We develop an individualized plan of care and pain assessment for the patient. You can be confident in our specialized training in dementia care.

Our dementia patients receive specialized packets customized just for them. The contents of the packet promotes meaningful communication and comfort. Chosen items are intended to help stimulate the senses of sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing.

We Honor Veterans Program

MaineGeneral Hospice is committed to quality care for our veterans and their families. We are a proud member of the We Honor Veterans Program in partnership with National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Our staff receive training to better understand the unique experiences of our patients who are veterans. Veterans deserve compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment. We also provide education to our community and veteran organizations.