Maine Hospice Council and Center for End-of-Life Care

The Maine Hospice Council exists
to ensure the continued development of
Hospice and Palliative Care in Maine.

The Council provides education and technical assistance regarding end-of-life care, as well as advocacy for terminally ill and bereaved persons.

Dear Friends,

Dying is a difficult subject. Most of us don’t want to think of it, much less talk about it. Instead, we like to imagine that we and our loved ones will remain healthy, no matter our age, and even then, with the miracles of modern technology, we might, literally, "live happily ever after."

So, if we can’t live forever, can we not at least hope to end our days with dignity; with the assurance that we will not suffer unnecessary pain; with the comfort of being surrounded by compassionate care; and with the opportunity to find emotional and spiritual peace? Can we hope that death will not represent failure but, rather, our ultimate achievement?

Click here to read more.

Since 1984, the Maine Hospice Council has been creating innovative opportunities, fostering collaboration, and serving as a convener and educator for end-of-life issues. The Maine Hospice Council has been, and remains, the only state-wide nonprofit agency in Maine dedicated solely to improving the quality of end-of-life care.

"I commend the State of Maine for its foresight in authorizing the development of the Center for End of Life Care. As the population continues to age, the awareness of end of life challenges and opportunities becomes critical. The Maine Hospice Council is uniquely suited to direct the Center as it brings with it years of effective leadership and attention to community needs."

Donald Schumacher, President and CEO of NHPCO

What is Hospice?

Hospice means a philosophy of palliative (comfort) care for individuals and families during the process of dying and bereavement. Hospice is life affirming and strengthens the individual's role in making informed decisions about care. Hospice philosophy stresses the delivery of services in the least restrictive setting possible and with the least amount of technology necessary by volunteers and professionals who are trained to help individuals with the physical, social, psychological, spiritual and emotional needs related to terminal illness.

Hospice affirms life. Hospice exists to provide support and care for persons in the last phases of incurable disease so that they might live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice recognizes dying as a normal process whether or not resulting from disease. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice exists in the hope and belief that, through appropriate care and the promotion of a caring community sensitive to their needs, patients and families may be free to attain a degree of mental and spiritual preparation for death that is satisfactory to them. At all times the guiding force will be to provide what is best for the person and his or her family facing life threatening illness.

The Maine Hospice Council provides . . .

Advocacy for individuals, families, and healthcare providers.
Consultation to patients, families, healthcare professionals, workplaces, and academic institutions.
Technical Support regarding program development, fundraising, grant writing and other infrastructure concerns.
Education for consumers, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and other caregivers.
Representation at local, state, and national levels.
Resources developed by the Council as well as other local and national leaders.
Collaboration and partnership development with local, state, and national organizations.
Research and data collection to benchmark progress.
Placement for undergraduate and graduate student interns.
Press Releases opinion pieces and professional journal submissions.
Public Speaking to increase awareness.

The Maine Hospice Council is a membership organization. Individual, program, associate, and organization memberships are available. For more information on membership, please contact the Council by phone (800) 438-5963.

Sustaining Program Members

Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice * Beacon Hospice, Inc. * Community Health & Counseling Services * CHANS Home Health & Hospice * HealthReach Hospice and Volunteers of Kennebec Valley * Hospice of York * Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area * Miles Home Health and Hospice *

Program Members

Allegiance Hospice Care of Maine * Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers * Down East Hospice * Hancock County Homecare Hospice (EMHC) * Home Health and Hospice of St. Joseph * Hospice of Aroostook (EMHC) * Hospice of Eastern Maine (EMHC) * Hospice of Hancock County * Hospice of Southern Maine * Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County * Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County * Hospice Volunteers: Center for Grief & Loss in Mid Coast Maine * Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice * New Hope Hospice, Inc. * Pine Tree Hospice * Seacoast Hospice, Exeter NH * VNA Home Health Care * Waldo County Home Healthcare Services

Organization Members

Continuum Health Services * EMMC Dialysis Unit * Kindred Healthcare * MaineGeneral Health Palliative Care Program * Maine Health Care Association * St. Andrews Hospital and Palliative Care * Two Roads Maine

Associate Members

Eastern Maine Medical Center Palliative Care Department * The Jason Program * Maine Medical Center Palliative Care Program

Individual Members

Deborah Clague * Donna Jacobs * Laurel Coleman, MD and Stephen Coleman, MD * Elizabeth B. Hart, MD * Lauren Michalakes * Linda Keniston-Dubocq, MD * Linda T. Hopkins, MD * Elizabeth Weiss, MD

"The moral test of a society is how that society treats those who are in the dawn of life -- the children; those who are in the twilight of life -- the elderly; and those who are in the shadow of life -- the sick, the needy and the handicapped."

Hubert Humphrey

Pages of Interest

Comments Sought on End-of-Life Care

Attorney General Steven Rowe is asking Mainers to share their thoughts or personal experience regarding end-of-life care. In the past few months, Rowe, with the Maine Hospice Council and Center for End-of-Life Care, held public meetings across the state. Now they are opening a 30-day comment period online so others can add to the discussion. How are we doing with end-of-life care in Maine? What is working well? What is missing? What conversations do we need to have? Who needs to be involved? Is pain being managed? Are wishes being respected?

This link is to the Office of the Maine Attorney General's website where a link for making public comments is provided.

Coping with Alzheimer's and End of Life Issues
Free film series at the Eveningstar Cinema,
Tontine Mall, Brunswick

Facilitated conversations and dialogue will take place afterward. Presented by Respite Care and Hospice Volunteers: Center for Grief and Loss in Mid Coast Maine.

LINKS

Local, regional and national links to hospice, palliative, and end-of-life resources.

EVENTS

Meeting Patient Needs:
Conversations About Pain Management

Spring Maine Pain Initiative Symposium
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
University of Maine at Presque isle

Richard Russo and Down East Books launch Hospice Book to Benefit Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area

Honoring Hospice Volunteers
and Professionals

Letter from Senator Susan Collins

Letter from Senator Olympia Snowe

Letter from Representative Tom Allen

Letter from Representative Michael Michaud

Pain Management at the End of Life:
A Physician's Self-Study Packet

Connecting Diverse Communities
Creating awareness, understanding, and elimination of Maine ethnic minority health disparities.

Inmate Hospice Volunteer Conference:
A report from the 2006 LMHPCO Inmate Hospice Volunteer Conference

Make Your Wishes Known

With an Advance Directive, you can help avoid conflicts arising out of confusion about your end-of-life care wishes. Click here for more information and Advance Directives Documents.

Governor Baldacci proclaims Advance Directive Days

Advocates for long-term care consumers
Long-Term Care Maine Ombudsman Program

Market Research Survey a survey of 400 Maine residents regarding end-of-life issues.

The Maine Hospice Council exists to ensure the continued development of Hospice and Palliative Care in Maine.