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About Hospice and the Volunteer Program
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What is Hospice?
- Hospice is an interdisciplinary program of care that provides relief from symptoms as well as emotional, social, and spiritual support to people at the end of their lives.
- Hospice care emphasizes enhancing the quality of life and preserving a sense of dignity.
- Hospice is family-centered care and provides support for the entire family.
What kinds of Hospice care are available?A variety of hospice services are available though CHANS Home Health Care, Hospice and Volunteer Program. CHANS Home Health Care is a Medicare-certified Hospice provider with specialty Hospice trained professionals who are medically supervised by the patient's primary care doctor and the CHANS medical Director, Dr. Carl DeMars. As well, the Hospice Volunteer Program provides free, non-medical support to patients, to their family, and to community members at large, through a variety of one-on-one in home supports as well as grief and bereavement groups for family members.
The Mission of the Hospice Volunteers
Hospice Volunteers provides caring, supportive, nonmedical services to individuals, families and community organizations coping with dying and grief, as well as education and dialogue within the community about end-of-life issues.
The Philosophy of care prodiced by Hospice Volunteers
Hospice Volunteers believe that, just as choice is important in the way we live, it is also important in the way we die. Hospice is a resource and advocate for spiritual, philosophical and practical choices for the dying and their families. Hospice began as a volunteer movement. Volunteers continue to be the heart and soul of Hospice. Our focus is family care, bereavement and community education.
- We believe that death is a part of the natural process of living. We focus on maintaining the quality of life, neither hastening nor postponing death.
- We recognize the right of the dying and their loved ones to make informed choices and to have those choices honored, preserving their personal dignity throughout the dying process.
- We recognize that the primary caregivers need as much support as does the dying person.
- We believe the interdisciplinary team approach to Hospice care, including the support of Hospice-trained Volunteers, provides the most comprehensive care for the dying and their families.
- We honor the premise that grief, loss and bereavement are an integral part of the dying process extending beyond the death of the client.
- We believe in active, ongoing palliative care, recognizing the physical, psychological, emotion and spiritual needs of the Hospice family.
- We are dedicated to being a voice in the community about dying and grieving.
- We are committed to serving without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or economic status.
Am I eligible for Hospice care?
Click here to see if you are eligible
History
The Hospice Volunteer Program started as the Bath-Brunswick Hospice in 1979. It began as a grass roots effort by a group of dedicated volunteers who offered assistance to families caring for a dying member at home. The agency was originally housed at First Parish Church, then moved to the Parkview Professional Building in 1993 and changed its name to Hospice Volunteers. In 1995 a three-year study was conducted by The Coalition for Dialogue on Death and Dying. One of the findings of the study was the need for a "place" where people could go for information. A capital campaign was launched, and Hospice Volunteers moved into its new home on 45 Baribeau Drive in February 2000. In 2010 then Hospice Volunteers of Southern Mid-Coast Maine: Center for Grief and Loss, merged with their long term partners in Hospice care CHANS Home Health Care. Now known as the Hospice and Volunteer Program under CHANS Home Health Care, all of the hospice services are housed in the 45 Baribeau Drive building, under the leadership of Chris Corrvieau, BSN, RN, CHPN, Director of Hospice Services.
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