end of life resources.
End of life journey.
hospice care vs. palliative care.
National & local resources.
Palliative Care and Hospice Care are similar in that both provide comfort care to patients. Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms that are related to chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, COPD, AIDS, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions. Palliative care can be used at any stage of illness, not just the advanced or final stages.
Hospice Care is palliative by nature. Hospice Care is generally offered when a patient’s condition has progressed to a point where curative treatment is no longer beneficial or desired. Hospice Care supports the patient and their families while focusing on relieving symptoms and relieving pain. With Hospice Care, the goal is not to cure but to promote comfort at the last stages of the patient’s life.
Hospice Care involves an interdisciplinary team approach to expert medical care, pain management, emotional support, and spiritual support. The patient’s particular needs and wishes are at the forefront of the approach undertaken.
The Hospice team is usually comprised of the patient’s personal doctor, a Hospice physician, nurses, home health aids, social workers, clergy and other counselors, and trained volunteers. Hospice also provides speech, occupational, and physical therapists, if needed.
Hospice provides true compassionate care at the most vulnerable time in a person’s life. Hospice care provides dignity and respect for patients and their loved ones at a time when they need it the most.
inpatient hospice houses.
However, there are four inpatient hospice houses in Maine.
Sussman House | Rockport, ME
Aroostook House of Comfort | Presque Isle, ME
Androscoggin Hospice House | Auburn, ME
Gosnell Memorial Hospice House | Scarborough, ME
will to live.
Consult your attorney for more information or the National Right to Life’s Will to Live Project.
The WILL TO LIVE Document
- Is a legally binding pro-life alternative to traditional Living Wills that you can sign.
- Names someone to make health care decisions for you (your “heath care agent’) if you develop a condition that makes it impossible for you to speak for yourself (you become “incompetent”).
- Makes clear (in the form of written instructions to your health care agent) what medical treatment you wish to receive if you can no longer speak for yourself.
When you are unable to speak for yourself the WILL TO LIVE document:
- Names someone you trust (your “health care agent”) to safeguard your life when you cannot speak for yourself.
- Names backup agents if your first choice of “health care agent” can’t serve.
- Guides your health care agent and physicians by describing the treatment you do and do not want.
- Protects your family and health care agent from pressure from health care providers and others by allowing them to prove your wishes.
- Makes your wishes clear to relieve the agony of decision-making by your physicians and health care agent.
When you are unable to speak for yourself the WILL TO LIVE document:
- Make copies for yourself, your health care agent and backup agents.
- Place your copy where it will be easy to find. Keep a copy on your person if possible.
- Make sure your health care agent and backup agent receive their copies.
- Let family members know you have a completed will to live and where you keep/have distributed copies.