Improving quality of life while continuing curative treatment

The Caring Comfort Program is a free, non-medical service for individuals with a serious illness who wish to improve their quality of life but are not yet eligible or ready for hospice. It is designed to meet the needs of the individual whose life expectancy is one year or less, and who would benefit from companionship and other support as their condition progresses.

Individuals enrolled in the Caring Comfort Program may concurrently be undertaking curative medical treatments. Services are provided in the individual’s place of residence and include the involvement of family members participating in their care. Services do not include nursing care or medical supervision.

Caring Comfort services and supports may include:

  • Specially trained, experienced, and caring volunteers to provide companionship, enrichment activities, emotional support, light housekeeping, food preparation, errands, and short daytime breaks for the caregiver.

  • A social worker for an introductory visit and one follow-up visit to review needs and discuss community resource options and methods to access them.

  • A chaplain for an introductory visit and one follow-up visit to provide spiritual support and, if desired, identify ongoing community resources.

  • A bereavement counselor to help the patient, family, and caregivers with anticipatory grief.

Caring Comfort or Hospice: which is right for you?

The Caring Comfort Program and our hospice program both offer services to individuals with serious illnesses and their families and caregivers.

Caring Comfort is unique in that it offers services to individuals who may be receiving curative treatment and are not yet eligible or ready for hospice.

Caring Comfort is an entirely free program.

  • Caring Comfort
    For individuals facing a serious illness with a prognosis of one year or less.

    Hospice
    For individuals facing a serious illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less.

  • Caring Comfort
    Comfort measures and/or curative treatments.

    Hospice
    Comfort measures only.

  • Caring Comfort
    volunteer, chaplain, social worker, and grief counselor

    Hospice
    Medical Director, Nurse Practitioner, nurse, hospice aide, volunteer, chaplain, social worker, and grief counselor

  • Caring Comfort
    Focus is on volunteer support including companionship, help with meals or shopping, short breaks for caregivers, and enrichment activities. The program also offers limited social worker and chaplain visits, updates to the individual’s physician, and grief counseling.

    Hospice
    A dedicated registered nurse and hospice interdisciplinary team provide expert medical care; emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual support; personal care; volunteer support; and pain and symptom management according to the individual’s goals and priorities. Also included are medications, medical equipment, and supplies related to the life-limiting illness, short-term respite care, and grief counseling.

  • Caring Comfort
    While the program itself does not require licensure, services are delivered by employees and volunteers of Hospice of Southern Maine, a Medicare-certified, Maine-licensed hospice agency.

    Hospice
    Hospice of Southern Maine is Medicare-certified, Maine-licensed, and compliant with federal, state, and local regulations.

  • Caring Comfort
    None.

    Hospice
    Hospice is a fully funded Medicare/Medicaid benefit. It is unlimited in length, and is covered by many private insurance companies. Most plans cover visits, medications, supplies, and equipment related to a hospice diagnoses, with no out-of-pocket expenses to the patient.

  • Caring Comfort
    Anyone, including the individual themselves, their family members, physician, case manager, or a discharge planner.

    Hospice
    Anyone, including the individual themselves, their family members, physician, case manager, or a discharge planner.

To learn more about the Caring Comfort Program, contact (207) 289-3640 or email us at info@hospiceofsouthernmaine.org.