Hospice Care Team

"We are all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass

Who Provides Care?

The Aroostook House of Comfort provides the facility or “house” for patients to receive hospice care services. The medical care is administered by a local Medicare-certified hospice care agency team, which includes a medical director, nurses, social workers, healthcare aides, spiritual care coordinator, bereavement support counselor, and trained volunteers, as well as a primary care physician or specialist.

Your Circle of Care

The hospice care team surrounds the patient and family with a “circle of care” made up of several professionals focused on providing spiritual, social, emotional and medical support.

This approach ensures the decision-making process includes the patient and family, allowing greater control over their care. The hospice care team is made up of the following people:

Medical Director

Consults with other physicians and leads the hospice team in the development of an individualized plan of care.

Nurses

Evaluate patient and family needs, ensure symptom control and pain management. They also coordinate care with attending physician and facility staff.

Hospice Care Aides

Deliver direct personal care to the patient and report specific needs to the care manager. They are also available to offer emotional support to the patient and family.

Volunteers

Provide companionship and non-medical assistance to the patient and family such as food preparation and emotional support.

Attending Physician

Certifies terminal prognosis, prescribes treatment, directs and approves the patient plan of care, and coordinates with the hospice team.

Social Workers

Evaluate patient’s and family ‘s emotional, social, and financial needs. They can also provide direct counseling or referrals to appropriate local agencies.

Chaplain/Spiritual

Determines spiritual needs of the patient and his/her family, provides counseling, assists with memorial or funeral preparations and provides access to clergy.

Therapists

Some therapies, including music therapy and massage, offer comfort to the patient and family.

Meet the Hospice Care Team

The people who offer a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

Richard Duncan

Aroostook House of Comfort Chairman

Mike MacPherson

Aroostook House of Comfort

Vice Chairman

Robin Haynes

Northern Light Home Care & Hospice

Hospice Volunteer Coordinator

Gail Phair-Kirk

Northern Light Home Care & Hospice House Manager

Christine Turner

Northern Light Home Care & Hospice

Director of Hospice Care

David Jones, MD

Northern Light Home Care & Hospice

Hospice Physician

George McLaughlin

Northern Light Home Care & Hospice Bereavement Coordinator & Chaplain

TESTIMONIALS

What People Say About Us

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I have seen the compassionate care patient receive here. There is nothing but praise and gratitude from families that we now have this home atmosphere to treat all levels of patient suffering. The relief and stress are gone; families can relax and be there to support their loved one.

Nancy T. O’Neill, MD, FAAFP



The nurses, doctor, and volunteers treated us with the way you would want to be treated and our loved one was treated with gentle care and loving attention. The facility was so well planned, giving families room to spend with a loved one, and spaces for a few minutes of quiet time. We are so thankful for the experience.

Judy Kenney, family of Virginia Packard

Support Aroostook House of Comfort

Your gift helps provide hospice care to the people of Aroostook County.

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Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous gift and support.