Senator Collins Visits Aroostook House of Comfort

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Presque Isle, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, toured the Aroostook House of Comfort in Presque Isle, a six bedroom non-profit hospice home for patients receiving hospice care from Northern Light Home Care and Hospice.   

“As the only Medicare-certified hospice facility in Aroostook County, the Aroostook House of Comfort plays a vital role in the community, providing high-quality, specialized care in a home-like environment,” said Senator Collins.  “I am very impressed by this new facility and the hard work shown by the passionate volunteers and community members to get this organization running.” 

Aroostook House of Comfort officially opened in April.  The facility offers patients relief from distressing pain and symptoms while keeping family and loved ones close by.  Aroostook House of Comfort is the only official hospice house in Aroostook County.

Northern Light Home Care & Hospice is headquartered in South Portland with additional office locations in Presque Isle, Bangor, Ellsworth, and Waterville.  In 2017, the organization cared for 10,320 people, made 214,309 home health visits, and made 46,328 hospice visits.

Last month, Senator Collins introduced the Home Health Payment Innovation Act, a bipartisan bill to protect providers from premature and unwarranted payment rate reductions as well as expand access to care in a cost-effective manner.  In January, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, a bipartisan bill authored by Senator Collins, was signed into law.  This legislation requires a coordinated strategic plan to leverage resources, promote best practices, and expand services and training available to caregivers.  In recognition of her outstanding advocacy and long-time leadership for home care and hospice, Senator Collins received the Home Care and Hospice Alliance of Maine’s Ruby Slipper Award last year.