OUR MISSION:

Pine Tree Hospice honors life and offers comfort with dignity to people of any age living with a progressive life-limiting illness.   PTH educates and supports its volunteers and staff to maintain a high standard of care, and responds to caregiver, family and community needs for continued bereavement support.  

Pine Tree Hospice is honored to be in its 25^th year
in 2010

Pine Tree Hospice serves people in Piscataquis County and parts of Penobscot and Somerset Counties.

No medical referral is needed.
You can even refer yourself...just give us a call (564-4346)

Any life-limiting illness or condition qualifies you for an assessment visit from Pine Tree Hospice.  There are no "time" requirements.

Some Questions Answered about Pine Tree Hospice

and Evergreen, The Pine Tree Hospice Center for
       Grieving Children and Adults ...

If I am eligible to have a volunteer, what happens then?

Your family will be assessed for your individual needs. 
A trained volunteer will be matched to your family based on those needs. 

During this assessment, the Coordinator of Volunteers and Client Services will talk with you about your individual needs and challenges.

Do I need to have a medical primary care giver before admission to Pine Tree Hospice?

A medical primary care giver is not required.

Does my choice of treatment options restrict my eligibility for a visit from a Pine Tree Hospice volunteer?

There are no restrictions on your choice of treatment options; aggressive or palliative (comfort measures).

Is there a cost to me for these services?

Volunteers from Pine Tree Hospice and all services are free of charge!!!

Do I have to be at home to get hospice care?

Pine Tree Hospice volunteers are available to provide services almost anywhere… at home… in hospitals or nursing homes.

What does an indirect care volunteer do?

Some examples of how indirect care volunteers can assist…

• picking up medications

• cooking for families

• assisting in the office

• helping with fundraising

• building ramps for clients

• serving on committees

• serving on the Board of Directors

These activities require a state-mandated 4 hour orientation to Hospice.

What does a direct care volunteer do?

Some examples of how direct care volunteers serve clients and their families are to…

• provide respite, companionship, support

• run errands

• provide transportation

• help with finding needed resources. 

These activities require a state-mandated 20 hour training.

I am a caregiver.  Does Pine Tree Hospice have anything to help me?

Pine Tree Hospice has a new series of workshops called “Caring for the Caregiver”, for past and present caregivers. 

Please call or email us if you would like more information.

I already lost my loved one.  Can I use PTH services?

PTH offers bereavement peer support groups for children and adults through its Evergreen Center for Grieving Children and Adults.

When do the Evergreen bereavement support groups meet?

The children’s groups meet every Wednesday from 7-8pm.

Adult groups meet the first and third Thursday of the month from

6:30-7:30 pm.

Who can attend the Evergreen bereavement peer
support groups?

Anyone who is grieving a death can come to Evergreen, even if the person who died was not a Hospice client.

Evergreen’s kids groups are open to children ages 3 to 18.

Does the death have to be recent for someone to
come to Evergreen?

Grief is unique for everyone and the intensity and duration of grief is different for each person. The time to come to Evergreen is when the bereaved person feels the need – whether the death occurred weeks, months, or even years ago.

Does Evergreen provide therapy?

Evergreen bereavement peer support groups are not therapy. Trained volunteers create a safe place for participants to share their feelings and experiences with others who are also grieving a death.

What happens in an Evergreen support group?

Adults usually sit, talk, and listen to each other, while kids groups tend to involve a lot of play and activities.

No two groups are ever exactly the same, though, and can be very different from week to week.

If I join an Evergreen group, how long do I stay?

Individuals can join a group at any time and participate as long as they need. 

Most groups are ongoing, with certain breaks scheduled throughout the year to accommodate holidays, school vacations, etc.

How do I know if Evergreen is right for me?

Anyone who is interested in Evergreen bereavement support groups can call the PTH office to schedule an appointment with a trained volunteer. The volunteer will talk about their needs and whether the programs are right for them or their families. 

In April 2010, Erin Callaway was awarded the Governor’s Exemplary Service Award as Volunteer of the Year for her work with PTH’s Evergreen Program.

Is PTH funded by insurance companies and federal or state government?

PTH receives no federal, no state, and no insurance funding. It is supported through grants, foundations, fundraising, and donations from generous people like YOU.

How can I help Pine Tree Hospice?

There are so many opportunities to help.  Be a …

• Direct  Care volunteer

• Indirect Care volunteer

• Bereavement Facilitator

• Committee member

• Member of our Board of Directors

• Assist with fundraising activities

• Make a donation

• Drop off your bottles and cans at Dover Foxcroft Redemption  Center and tell them the bottles are for PTH

• Many, many more ways…

How can I get the Pine Tree Hospice Newsletter?

If you would like to receive the PTH newsletter, “The Pine Cone”, please give us a call (564-4346) or send us an e-mail at: wecare@pinetreehospice.org

We would be happy to add you to our mailing list.

To save trees, we will also be sending links for our newsletter those for whom we have an e-mail address.

How can I help PTH spread the word about how PTH can help!

Pine Tree Hospice would appreciate the opportunity to visit your church, community group, school, or workplace to let you all know about the many services (hospice, grief support, resources, etc.) offered by PTH volunteers.

To schedule a speaker, please contact the office at 564-4346.