What is Hospice

Hospice care is a unique philosophy and team approach to care provided to people in the final phase of their lives.

It emphasizes enhancing the quality of life and preserves a sense of dignity while providing palliative comfort care.

Hospice is not a place.  It is a family-centered effort that provides support and care for the whole family during the process of dying and bereavement.

Trained volunteers are key team members who work along with healthcare professionals to provide support.

Hospice strengthens the individual's role in making decisions about end of life care.

Mission revised September 25, 2007

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

Services

Pine Tree Hospice was incorporated in 1985.  Governance is by the Board of Directors, composed of community representatives.  Evergreen is the Pine Tree Hospice Center for Grieving Children and Their Families. 

Pine Tree Hospice employs an Executive Director, a Coordinator for Client Services and Volunteers, and an Administrative Assistant.  More than 60 dedicated active volunteers provide direct and indirect services to hospice clients and families.  Our service area is located in north central, rural Maine.

Funding is provided by various grants and donations, the annual Variety Show, United Way, memorial contributions, memberships, an annual appeal and various other fundraising events. Contracts with two home health medical hospice providers complete our funding support.

Volunteers must complete an initial 20 hour training program and between four and eight continuing education hours per year. Clients receive Pine Tree Hospice services free of charge.  Hospice volunteers provide services such as companionship, respite care for caregivers, transportation to appointments, meal preparation, shopping, medication delivery and light housekeeping, and bereavement support. Pine Tree Hospice hosts bereavement support programs.  Evergreen Peer Support Volunteers work with children and their families who are grieving the death of a family member or friend.

When a life-threatening illness or grief strikes, it is important to know that Pine Tree Hospice can make a difference.

The following services are offered free of charge:

 Respite Care

  Psychosocial Support

 Spiritual Support

  Family Household Support

 Transportation

  Education

 Patient and Family Advocacy

  Companionship

 Bereavement Support

  Lending Library

 Meal Preparations

  Light Housekeeping

Committees

The administrative work of Pine Tree Hospice is carried out by the staff, the volunteer Board of Directors, and by the various volunteer committees.  Committee membership includes Pine Tree Hospice volunteers as well as interested community members.

Fund Development Committee
(affectionately, Fun Development)

Responsible for generating revenue sources to support program goals

Education Committee

Responsible for hospice orientation and education in compliance with Maine "Regulations Governing the Licensing and Functioning of Hospice Programs"; for continuing education programs for volunteers; and for community outreach and education

Board Development Committee

Responsible for preparing nominations for the Board of Directors, with a slate of officers; memberships to Standing Committees; and new board member orientation and support

Hospice Committee

Responsible for identifying and meeting needs of local community hospice clients in compliance with the mission of Pine Tree Hospice and with appropriate local, state and national regulatory bodies

Bereavement Committee

Responsible for identifying and meeting needs of bereaved individuals and of groups with special needs; maintaining the Evergreen Center for Grieving Children and their Families; and for the Evergreen Curriculum

Finance Committee

Responsible for maintaining the financial health and information systems of Pine Tree Hospice; and for maintaining a database of information related to clients and volunteers

Executive Committee

Officers represent the Board of Directors, subject
to review and final approval of the Board; serves as advisory to Executive Director, who is a member; provides leadership and accountability of Pine Tree Hospice services; periodically reviews Bylaws and Policies/Procedures; and is responsible for: public relations, leadership of any non-functioning board committee, and Pine tree Hospice property

Are YOU interested in serving
on a committee with us ???