Sen. King lends support to proposed hospice center

11 years ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — U.S. Sen. Angus King in August penned a letter of support for the Aroostook House of Comfort, a proposed facility that would, for the first time, provide a hospice care facility in rural Aroostook County.
Sen. King’s letter came on the heels of his visit with board members in June, in advance of a golf tournament at the Presque Isle Country Club to raise money and awareness for the project. King reviewed plans for the hospice facility and met with volunteers involved with the project after traveling to Presque Isle High School to deliver the keynote address during the school’s commencement exercises the evening before.


“For residents in need of hospice services in rural Maine, access to appropriate facilities is difficult and frequent visits to a hospital and/or home visits post significant, if not insurmountable, challenges … with a significant portion of Aroostook County above the age of 65, medical institutions that offer hospice care are in high demand and immediate bed space is often in short supply,” wrote Sen. King. “This hospice facility would not only provide much needed bed space for those who need it, but it also has been thoughtfully designed to provide comfort to patients and their loved ones. I applaud the collaborative work by public and private partners and countless volunteers who are committed to making the House of Comfort a reality. As a result of these efforts, families in northern Maine will have access to resources that benefit loved ones at a critical time of need.”
The only two current hospice facilities in Maine — located in Auburn and Scarborough — are hundreds of miles from Aroostook County.
“The House of Comfort team and their laudable vision are most deserving of support,” noted King.