PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Sears store in the Aroostook Centre Mall is the latest area business to step up in support of a hospital-based hospice care room at TAMC’s A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital.
In the coming months, renovation work will begin on an existing patient room on the medical/surgical floor at the Presque Isle hospital. The construction effort will transform the space to provide TAMC patients with an extended stay and others requiring end-of-life treatment in a more home-like environment. Sears has joined in the effort by donating a 40-inch LED television that will be placed in the room when the renovation work is complete.
“This is such a great cause to support. People do not realize how critical a need a room like this is needed until someone close to you requires extended hospital care,” said Donella Leavitt, manager of the Presque Isle Sears. “Our Sears store and our employees especially, really enjoy being part of this community. That was really evident earlier this year when we thought our store might be closing. Donating to the TAMC hospice care room is one more way we are able to express our thanks to the community for their support and patronage.”
The idea for the hospice room at TAMC was developed by the nurses on the medical/surgical unit after the team was personally touched caring for patients. After the passing of two younger patients earlier this year, the nurses on the floor decided they wanted to do more to ensure that those of all ages receive the best care in the most stress-free environment.
Efforts to make the hospice room a reality began in earnest this summer when the group of nurses organized a number of fundraisers to help pay for the renovation work. A first-of-its-kind Super Saturday Secondhand Sale and creation and selling of a TAMC family cookbook helped raise more than $4,500. Additionally, numerous donations were received from community members to support the project.
As fund-raising efforts continue in anticipation of construction, a number of area businesses, including Sears, have come forward with donated items to ensure the hospice room is well equipped with many of the comforts of home when complete.
“We are very grateful to Sears, the other wonderful County businesses and generous supporters that have come forward to support our efforts to improve patient care and comfort,” said Tracey Clark, RN, charge nurse on the medical/surgical floor at TAMC. “My brother passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at the young age of 45. I remember what it was like for our family wanting to be by his side in those final days. Anything we can do to help make such a difficult time a little easier for those who find themselves in this position is most certainly worth the effort.”
TAMC’s medical/surgical unit is the place at the hospital where patients come to receive end-of-life care, often after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. The team of caregivers on the floor aid patients and their families during the transition.
“It is not always possible for everyone to have their wish to die at home, for a variety of reasons, so we work to help make the transition as smooth as possible,” said Clark. “The hospice room enhancements will allow for family members to feel more at home with their loved one in a more personalized space giving them the chance to create a few more lasting memories within a home-away-from-home environment.”
Among the other amenities that will be incorporated into the room include a refrigerator, microwave, bedding, coffee pot, low lighting, movies, reading and writing materials, a place for a photo display, comfortable sleeping, as well as access to technology such as Skype, in order to ensure those family members that are unable to visit in person still have the opportunity to spend time with the patient from afar.
