New Canada, like many other small towns, does not have the population density to support their own hospital or health clinic. Therefore, they must utilize existing systems in surrounding communities.
School Nurse
Visiting Nurses Of
Aroostook
Hospice Of Aroostook
Aroostook Home
HealthServices
Public Health Nurse
County Tumor Clinic
The Aroostook
Medical Center
CARY Medical Center
Northern Maine Medical
Center
Cancer Support Group
Long Term Care Aroostook
County
Reach For Recovery
Fish River Rural Health
Service
Health 1rst
Aroostook Mental Health
Center
SAD #27 has a district nurse who serves the schools of Fort Kent, Wallagrass, Eagle Lake and St. Francis. Mrs. Lola Charette, the district's nurse, concerns herself in instituting the proper preventative measures in her dealings with the district's children. Mrs. Charette tackles the issues of drug awareness, prevention of teen pregnancy, and sex education programs among others. One of the school nurse's primary functions is the dispensation of medications to students while they are school. Students are not allowed to take medication on their own. She also tends to any injuries that may occur to a child while in school or on the playground. Another valuable service offered by the school nurse are the ear and eye exams given to all SAD #27 students. Immunization records are also kept. Parents are told which immunizations are required in order that a child may be admitted into kindergarten. Other topics that may be touched upon by the school nurse are domestic violence, drinking, HIV education, first aid, respect for others, handwashing, communicable diseases, CPR, heimlich maneuver, and eating disorders.
Information compiled by Mary Ann Desjardins.
VNA's home health services provide quality care and support to people of all ages who suffer from acute, chronic and terminal illnesses, to individuals with functional impairments, and to their families. These services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in the comfort of familiar home surroundings and under the direction of the client's physician. VNA's home health services are provided by professional nurses (RN's), home health aides (HHAs), physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs) and medical social workers.
Skilled Nursing: A skilled nursing visit includes skilled assessments and instruction to clients and family about the illness and how to cope. It also may involve a dressing change, catheter care, medication administration and supervision, injections, wound care, infusion therapy, diabetic education, respiratory/tracheostomy care, and long-term rehabilitation.
Home Health Aide: VNA's home health aides provide personal care, such as bathing, and assistance with activities of daily living, such as meal preparation.
Physical Therapy: VNA's physical therapists strive to restore an optimum level of function through muscle strengthening, gait training, and exercises.
Occupational Therapy: Treatment includes home modification, adaptive equipment training, and development of fine motor skills, and emphasizes activities of daily living.
Medical Social Worker: VNA"s medical social workers provide counseling, crisis intervention and referral to other community resources.
Visiting Nurses of Aroostook enjoys and excellent working relationship with Aroostook County physicians, as well as those affiliated with major hospitals in central and Southern Maine. In a nine month period in the 1995-96 fiscal year 127 physicians made referrals to Visiting Nurses of Aroostook. A list of these physicians can be obtained from the VNA in their 1995 annual report.
The VNA generally provides statistics on the number of visits made to various localities and the number of nurses located in those localities that are employed by VNA. The VNA provided such statistics on the area of New Canada. In the past year, no visits have been made to the area of New Canada. Reasons for this were not given. However, one may find possible explanations for this lack of utilization by researching census information.
Visiting Nurses Of Aroostook: 1995 Annual Report. (1996)
Brochure. Caribou: Star Printing & Marketing.
Hospice of Aroostook, a program of Visiting Nurses of Aroostook, is an interdisciplinary team-driven program providing comfort, respite, social, emotional, and spiritual support to people with limited life expectancy and their loved ones. Hospice care, which recognizes death as natural part of the life cycle, offers counseling, nursing care, personal care and volunteer services.
Volunteers: Volunteers are the backbone of the hospice program. They provide hospice clients and their families with companionship, comfort and support, and simply being there when needed. Sometimes, something as simple as running a few errands can be the gesture that helps the family cope.
Counselors: Hospice counseling services vary according to the client's specific needs. A social worker may provide psychosocial support or crisis intervention, or perhaps the client and family need nutritional counseling.
Clergy: Clergy offer spiritual support and comfort for hospice clients and their families.
Hospice Nurses: Hospice RN's provide specialized palliative care which focuses on the quality of life with emphasis on pain and symptom control.
Medical Director: The hospice physician is an integral member of the hospice team, providing recommendations for palliative care, including pain and symptom control with an emphasis on quality of life.
Other Services: Home health aides and therapists may provide services as warranted.
Bereavement Support: Bereavement support, which involves every member of the hospice team, is a hallmark of the hospice program and is available to their loved ones can be a source of comfort to hospice clients.
Visiting Nurses Of Aroostook: 1995 Annual Report. (1996)
Brochure. Caribou: Star Printing & Marketing.
Aroostook Home Health Services
AHHS serves residents of Aroostook County who may need assistance to remain independent and in control of their daily activities, which helps promote their health and well-being, lessens stress and improves family integrity. Services provided include: health assessments, consultation with hospitals and other agencies, gastric tube feeding, tracheostomy care, medication supervision, and private duty nursing. Personal care services include bathing, feeding, exercise, meal preparation, assist clients in learning to care for themselves, help families learn to care for their loved ones, respite time for caregivers, to give caregivers some time for themselves. Home care services include housekeeping, laundry, shopping and errands. Professional services include MED'94, home health aide certification. These services are provided by qualified registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, home health aides, certified nurses aides, personal care attendants, companions and homemakers.
(1996) Brochure. Caribou: Aroostook Home Health ServicesAroostook
Home Health Services..
Division of Public Health Nursing Department of Human Services Maine
A public health nurse is available to visit with individuals at home to discuss questions about the various aspects of caring for a child. Some of the topics the nurse can assist with are: health and care information about our baby, such as feeding, bathing, safety precautions, immunizations. Other services available are weighing and measuring your baby; answering questions about growth and development. Infant behavior and parenting skills are also available. The important of your health since the baby arrived is emphasized. Information about other community resources which may be helpful to your family is also available.
Public health nurses provide services not only to infants but to people of all ages. Services include health assessment, teaching, counseling, referral and additional services. Clinic services depend on the age of the people attending and the location where the service is rendered. Anyone in the state of Maine is eligible for services, at not charge to the individual, with the exception of well child clinics.
The division of public nursing provides services for the following: communicable disease control, abuse and neglect, childhood deaths, environmental health, genetics, handicapped children, lead poisoning, maternity, newborns & high risk infants, well child clinics, school health, refugees, nutrition assessment/ counseling.
A Visit From The Nurse In Your Neighborhood. (1993) Brochure.
Augusta: Division of Public Health Nursing- Department Of Human Services.
The County Tumor Clinic provides oncological services to both inpatients and outpatients throughout Aroostook County, including consultation, treatment planning, chemotherapy, follow-up and primary care.
Brighten Someone's Future. (1996) Brochure. Presque Isle:
United Way Of Aroostook.
The Aroostook Medical Center (External Link)
County Dialysis Center Plans are underway to bring hemodialysis services to Aroostook County in early 1997. If approved under the state's Certificate of Need process, the new facility, known as the County Dialysis Center, will be located at the Aroostook Medical Center, in Presque Isle. Most Aroostook County patients with kidney failure travel over 50,000 miles a year to receive their life sustaining treatments as currently Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor is the closest site in Maine available for County patients to receive their treatments. The total cost of the project is approximately $300,000 with most of the funds to be obtained through a countywide fundraising effort and matching grant programs.
AIDS Education: contact: Educational Services & Programs for school and individual education or infection control.
Agriculture Chemicals & Health Program: contact Crown Ambulance for educational program.
Allergy Clinic: contact TAMC outpatient services. Physician referral is usually required.
American Back School: OHP is a four hour course on the proper body mechanics and how to avoid injury.
Aroostook Birthing Center: contact TAMC OB/GYN. Inpatient and outpatient service for women giving birth or for minor procedures having to do with pregnancy are offered.
Aroostook Pediatrics (External Link)
Asthma Training & International Program: ESP (Educational Services Programs) offers educational programs for the victims and the family on how to deal with asthma.
Burn Service: TAMC's A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital Special Care Unit provides care for burn patients usually of a less serious nature; severe burn patients are transferred to specialty medical centers.
Car Safety Seat Rental Program: ESP provides the parents of newborns with car seats at a minimal fee. A car seat is required for an infant to be discharged.
Cardiac Stress Testing: ARG Cardiopulmonary offers this service. Appointments are usually made with a physician referral.
CPR Classes: ESP offers classes for instructors certification and the general public throughout the year.
Child Care for Babysitter's Course: ESP teaches teens pediatric basic life support, first aid and general care of infants.
Cobalt Therapy- ARC Oncology:Is a physician referral radiotherapy service used for the treatment of cancer.
Choose To Lose Weight Loss Program: TAMC dietitians conduct public programs periodically as well reviewing all menus for hospital patients and visitors.
Conference Coordination: Regional health related programs are initiated or coordinated through ESP office.
County Hospitality Program: Employees work to improve the quality of care given to the patients and residents as well as reviewing employee relations.
Crown Ambulance: Emergency transport service for central Aroostook, including available air services, with bases in Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield and Mars Hill.
Day Surgery Unit: Vast array of surgical procedures done upon physician referral.
Dermatology Clinical at Community General Hospital (CGH): by physician referral, dermatologists are scheduled periodically to see patients with skin problems.
Diabetes Education: ESP patient and family education is provided individually upon request and for the general public periodically.
Disaster Preparedness: ARG Plant Operations offers training drills that are done routinely to prepare staff in case of an emergency dealing with the lack of essential service or with mass injuries.
Ears, Nose & Throat Clinic: ARG&CGH- Dr. Narayana Prasanna sees patients requiring specialized care.
24 Hour Emergency Room Care: ARG- physician and nursing personnel are staffed around the clock providing emergency care for the local communities.
Echo Cardiograms:ARG cardiopulmonary, physician referral service to evaluate the heart.
Early/Pregnancy Health Class: For all women who are considering becoming pregnant and up to four months pregnant and their support person.
Gastroenterology Laboratory: ARG- usually by physician referral, patients requiring specialized care for diseases of the stomach and intestines.
Health Education for Colleges, High Schools, Middle Schools and Elementary Schools: ESP instructors provide educational programs as requested to various school groups.
Health Sciences Library: ARG- full range of medical resources are available to support patient care as well as the educational needs of the staff.
Hematology Clinic: physician referral specialized service for diseases of the blood.
Holter Monitoring: ARG- physician referral, 24 hour ambulatory EKG monitoring for abnormalities with the heart.
Horizons Health Services (External Link) A service of TAMC with health centers in Mars Hill, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Loring Job Corp Center, and Washburn. Aroostook Pediatrics and Occupational Health and Wellness in Presque Isle have more specific focus.
Hospice Unit: Ellie Crouse Hospitality Suite at ARG- two family rooms, bath and a meditation room on the medical floor.
Inpatient Psychiatric Unite at CGH in Fort Fairfield: Voluntary and involuntary patients are provided with counseling, one-one, occupational therapy, drug therapy and other services as required.
Inpatient Rehabilitation: ARG- patients suffering from a stroke or disability receive education and training in how to cope with their disability.
Lifeline Emergency Response System: ARG- service provided for the elderly and disabled allowing them to summons help with the push of a button that they wear while in their home. This service is provided from Bridgewater to Allagash.
Long Term Care Unit: CGH & Aroostook Health Center where residents are cared for in a nursing home setting.
Mammography: ARG- Physician referral service, breast x-ray examination provided for women and men.
Medical Terminology: ESP provides a course on medical words, prefixes, suffixes and their meanings offered once or twice a year.
Neonatal Resuscitation: ESP- training for health care professionals and others working with infants.
Neurology Services: Physician referral, provided examination of the nervous system often with EEG evaluation.
Nuclear Medicine: Physician referral x-ray service using radioisotopes to examine internal organs of the body.
Nutrition Assessment & Counseling: Registered dietitians provide consults with patients for eating disorders.
Occupational Therapy: CGH- therapy for those who lives have been disrupted by physical injury or accident, birth defects, aging, stroke, emotional or developmental problems, arthritis, and spinal cord injuries.
Occupational Health Program: Trained professionals goes into the work place to evaluate the working conditions including ergonomics, safety, vision, hearing and other problems. Suggestions are made to correct problems and eliminate risks to the employee and employer.
Oncology Clinic: Physical referral for evaluation of tumors.
Ostomy Counseling- Oncology Clinic: Physical referral for use of chemical agents in the treatment and control of cancer.
Physical Therapy: Physician referral for patients to receive therapy to regain muscle strength following surgery or illness to overcome temporary pain. Ulcer care, muscle spasms control, whirlpools, ultraviolet therapy and other services are also provided.
Physician Referral Service (External Link)
Poison Prevention Programs: TAMC pharmacists visit local elementary schools in March each year to teach poison prevention.
Prenatal Classes (Lamaze): Classes are held regularly throughout the year for late term mothers-to-be and their coaches.
Pulmonary Function Testing: Physician referral for services provided to evaluate the lung capacity of individuals.
Red Cross First Aid: Offered periodically upon request.
Rheumatology Clinic: Physician referral upon which routine clinics are held to evaluate inflammation and pain in muscles and/or joints.
Satellite Education: ESP offers programs available from national health satellite services.
Sibling Program: ESP offers this program to prepare brothers and sisters-to-be for the arrival of a new family member.
Spiral CT Scanner- Radiology: This scanner provides physicians with three dimensional x-ray images.
Social Services: Work with patients of all ages in evaluation, counseling, discharge planning and consultation. This would include someone who has undergone major surgery, catastrophic illness or teenage mothers.
SCAN: Suspected Child Abuse And Neglect screens, coordinates, and monitors children at risk of abuse.
Polysomnography (Sleep Study) Laboratory: The only service of this kind in Aroostook County, the lab uses state-of-the-art medical equipment to detect pulmonary and neurology related sleep disorders.
Speakers Bureau: Speakers are available for public functions to speak on a variety of health related topics.
Smoking Cessation: Educational Services offers programs that are available regularly and upon request from groups or businesses.
Ultrasound: Physical referral- x-ray services provided for examination of organs including the heart and fetal monitoring.
Occupational Health And Wellness Center: This center provides many services including helping patients recover from a variety of illnesses and injuries; assisting corporations to improve the health and wellness of their employees; and providing weight loss, healthy eating, exercise, yoga, and weight training programs to interested individuals throughout the county.
Volunteer Services: Community members are invited to volunteer in assisting the medical center in providing health services. Over 200 volunteers provide services from the receptionist on the front desk, mail room to rocking babies in the nursery.
Information herein obtained upon request from Nancy E. Bergin, TAMC's
Public Information/ Physician Recruitment Coordinator: 768-4033
CARY Medical Center (External Link)
Translation Services- Special Needs Communications: Cary provides translation services in several foreign languages including French, Spanish, Filipino, German, Russian and Polish. They can also provide individuals with special training in sign language for those who are hearing impaired. The patient information handbook is also available on audio cassette and in Braille format.
Physician Services: Cary has a number of physician specialists as well as a strong base of Primary Care including physicians trained in Family Practice and Internal Medicine. Cary employs seven doctors of internal medicine, three family practice physicians and two physician assistants. They also employ four pediatricians, two anesthesiologists and three general surgeons. Other active medical staff include one neurologist, one urologist, two ophthalmologists, and one orthopedic surgeon. In addition, other medical staff include three OB/GYN's.
Emergency Department: Cary's Emergency Department is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day to care for urgent needs. Physicians and nursing staff are specially trained in emergency medicine. The department has eight rooms to care for up to 11 patients. Patients with less urgent needs may be seen by a physician assistant at the walk-in clinic. The walk-in clinic is open Monday through Friday from 1-9 pm.
Rehabilitation Services: Cary offers a comprehensive rehabilitation service which includes occupational and physical therapy, speech pathology, and audiology. Major services offered include: swallowing problems program, hand therapy, pediatric school-based occupational therapy, athletic training program, work-site evaluations, child development clinic, work functional capacity evaluations, physical/ occupational therapy at SJVHC, and aquatic therapy. Hours of service are Monday-Friday 7am-4:30 pm.
Maternal And Child Health Services: Cary offers a Child's World Pediatric Unit.
The following list of services offered by Cary: Private rooms with shower and bathroom,
private labor rooms/ birthing room, advanced techniques in pain control for labor,
birthing plans and family involvement encouraged, rooming-in availability, sick-child day
care, pediatric rooms with overnight accommodations available for parents, educational
toys for pediatric patients, twenty-four hour consultation available, on-site day
care. 
Educational Department: Ongoing programs include: Children's program "Andy Goes To The Hospital", Baby-sitters' course, Childbirth educational classes, Sibling classes, Breast Feeding Task Force, Childbirth and parenting education for teens, Cary student volunteer program/ Candy striper program, Community health lecture program, Community hospital tour, CPR programs, Diabetes care program, Diabetes support group, First aid program, Smoking-cessation program- "Freedom From Smoking", School age smoking prevention program "Puff N' Stuff", Seniority program for ages 50 and over, Women's Health Conference.
Nutritional Services: Two dietitians work with nursing staff and physicians to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. The department has two certified dietary managers and a food production manager. Special programs include a children & teen weight management "Shapedown", adult weight management "Lifesteps", individual nutritional counseling, and institutional nutritional consultation.
Laboratory Services: The laboratory at Cary staffs two full-time pathologists. The lab department includes hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, chemistry, special chemistry, blood bank, bacteriology and histology.
Surgical Services Department: Cary's surgical services department is comprised of the operating room, post anesthesia care unit, one day surgery, and endoscopy units, and the department of anesthesia. Surgical services include ophthalmology, vascular-thoracic, ear/nose/throat, urology, obstetrics, gynecology, and orthopedic specialties, plus video gastrointestinal and surgical procedures. Cary also provides Holmium: YAG laser for orthopedic procedures.
St. John Valley Health Center: St. John Valley Health Center, located at the site of the former Van Buren Community Hospital, offers patient services from 8am to 3:30pm. A physician's assistant provides full-time primary care services under the direction of Cary's Emergency Department director. It also provides part-time physician services. Cary pediatricians visit the Center every Wednesday to see local children and adolescents. Other programs include: Physical and Occupational Therapy, X-ray, Nutritional Counseling, EKG's and blood drawing. L'Acadie, a nine-bed intermediate care facility for mentally-retarded adults, is on the lower level of the center.
Cardiopulmonary Services: Certified registered therapists diagnose and treat patients with lung or heart conditions. Staff are trained in multiple services including the management of patients in Intensive Care using breathing assistance equipment; electrocardiograms, brain wave studies, stress testing and pulmonary function studies. In addition, therapists provide complex diagnostic services such as impedance plethysmography which locates blood clots in the legs, and persantine thallium studies for those who cannot tolerate traditional treadmill stress testing.
X-ray Department: Cary recently added CAT scanning, ultrasound and nuclear medicine to it's list of services. Other services include radiographic examinations, mammography, arteriography, and Mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Social Services & Family Services: Professional social workers are available to meet with patients and families. They can help arrange for home care following hospitalization, long term care such as rehabilitation, skilled care or nursing home care. A registered nurse provides assistance in managing pre-hospital care; this process is referred to as case management.
Special Care Units: Cary provides a cardio-pulmonary care unit for patients who are critically ill but may not need an intensive level of care. This unit specializes in caring for patients with heart and lung problems.
Patient Information: Cary Medical Center. (1996) Brochure.
Caribou: Graphique Design Works.
Medical: Northern Maine Medical Center offers intensive care and emergency room services.
Surgical: Service
is limited to minor or uncomplicated surgeries. Examples would include a simple
hysterectomy, tonsillectomy and appendectomy. For more complicated surgeries like triple
coronary bypass, laryngectomy, and radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection
residents must travel to Eastern Maine Medical Center.
Obstetrics: Services are limited to uncomplicated pregnancies by family practice physicians. For obstetrics, gynecological and midwife services residents in the Fort Kent area must travel to Caribou's Cary Medical Center or Presque Isle's Aroostook Medical Center. NMMC will not handle such complications as toxemia, pending births before 32 weeks and suspected fetal complications such as heart anomalies. The obstetrics unit at NMMC is capable of handling six patients and their newborns. It consists of two private rooms, two semi-private rooms and two birthing rooms. A car seat program for infants is available. Car seats are rented to delivering mothers upon request. A fifteen dollar deposit is asked. Ten dollars is returned to the parent when the car seat is returned. They are leased to mothers for nine months or until the baby weighs twenty pounds. After the child reaches twenty pounds the seat is no longer sufficient and the parent must provide him or her with a toddler car seat (toddler car seats are not available from NMMC at this time).
Physical Therapy: The hospital is staffed by a licensed physical therapist. People of all ages with spinal dysfunction's, joint replacements, arthritic disease, heart disease, strokes, respiratory ailments, fractures, soft tissue injuries, repetitive motion injuries and sports injuries are among those frequently seen in physical therapy.
Occupational Therapy: The occupational therapist works to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, facilitate learning of those skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity, diminish or correct pathology, and to promote and maintain health of people whose lives have been disrupted by physical injury or illness, problems in development, the aging process and social or emotional problems.
Radiology: The radiology department at NMMC performs all routine x-ray procedures and many specialized procedures. The department has three radiography rooms, one fluoroscopy room, , a mammography unit accredited by the American College of Radiology, an ultrasound unit, a nuclear medicine scanner, and a CT scanner. A mobile MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning travels to NMMC once a week. Portable equipment is utilized when a patient is unable to come to the department.
Cardiopulmonary Services: Technicians have been trained in both respiratory therapy and EKG. EKGs, holter monitor tests, and thallium stress tests are routinely performed at NMMC. Respiratory therapy deals primarily with lung problems. The hospital offers pulmonary function studies, pulmonary rehabilitation program, blood gas analysis, twenty-four hour ventilator care, and lung therapy.
Education Programs: NMMC offers the following education programs: cardiac rehabilitation, diabetes, hypertension, smoking cessation, and ostomy care. Two of these programs serve as an introduction to outpatient programs. These are cardiac rehab program and diabetes program.
Emergency Department: NMMC has a fully equipped and staffed emergency department which is open 24 hours a day.
Madawaska Outpatient Center: In 1983, NMMC opened the Madawaska Outpatient Center and professional building. The center is opened Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm, for routine outpatient testing. The outpatient center will accept referrals for outpatient testing from all Maine licensed physicians. Services include a fully equipped physical therapy department, an x-ray department sophisticated enough to handle most of a patient's x-ray testing needs as ordered by a physician, a lab department which will offer virtually all the lab exams currently offered by NMMC, and E.K.G. exams and holter monitoring.
Pediatric: NMMC has one pediatric bed, however staffing does not change with admission of pediatric patients. Cary Medical and TAMC both have pediatric units with a 1 to 3 nurse/patient ratio. There are no pediatricians in the Fort Kent area. Residents must travel to Presque Isle or Caribou.
Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation services are not offered at NMMC. Residents must travel to Presque Isle or Caribou. See services available through TAMC and Cary.
Psychiatric: NMMC has six inpatient beds. Fort Fairfield's Community General Hospital, a division of TAMC, has 17 beds with two set aside for involuntary admission. If voluntary status is not established patients are transferred to Acadia Mental Health Institute. The transfer is done in conjunction with the Sheriff's Department. If the two involuntary beds are filled and a person requires involuntary admission they are held at the police station behind bars until the paper work can be completed by the Sheriff's department arrives to transport. Patients are not accompanied by mental health workers or nurses during transport. The patients are medicated with haldol or ativan then handcuffed for transport. Veterans go to Togus in Augusta.
Intensive Care Unit: NMMC has a four bed intensive care unit.
Specialty Services: NMMC offers the following specialty services: neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and otolaryngology which are offered by members of the active and courtesy medical staff of the hospital.
Laboratory: The laboratory is directed by a pathologists and staffed by certified technicians and technologists.
Northern Maine Medical Center. (1996) Booklet. Fort Kent:
Northern Maine Medical Center.
The cancer support group in Fort Kent sponsored by the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund, Northern Maine Medical Center; Hospice of Aroostook. This group is intended for any person who has cancer, is a cancer survivor, or is a personal friend or family member of a patient who has cancer. It is not a psychotherapy group, rather the focus is to provide support and life enrichment. Meetings are held once a month at the Northern Maine Medical Center, in the medical library. The group has three facilitators, two of whom are present during each meeting. The purpose of the group is to unite cancer victims and families in order to assist each other. Another goal is to educate members regarding the nature of cancer, and assist members to cope with their illness. Finally members are encouraged to enhance their lives, and to gain a sense of hope. The cancer support group has been together for nine years. Group meetings are semi-structured with group discussions, films, educational materials, or planning for future events such as the annual Christmas party. The group begins its meetings informally, sharing stories, joking with each other, and simply enjoying each other's company. Group members are also active in participating in fund raisers for the group, to support the Edgar J. Paradis Fund. This fund also helps members of the group by assisting with financial aide.
Information obtained upon request from NMMC.
Long Term Care: Aroostook County
Long term care facilities are located throughout Aroostook County. Forest Hill Manor, located in Fort Kent, is an intermediate care facility. It is a division of EMMC. Intermediate care residents require minimal to moderate care and the facility does not require an RN on duty. Skilled nursing clients require comprehensive care and the services of an RN. Madawaska Nursing Home, located in Madawaska ME., has intermediate care beds and skilled beds. Border View Manor, in Van Buren Me., offers intermediate care beds and boarding. Caribou Nursing Home, located in Caribou ME., offers intermediate care beds. Maine Veterans Home, also located in Caribou ME., offers intermediate care beds and skilled. Presque Isle Nursing Home, in Presque Isle Me. offers intermediate care beds. Aroostook Health Center, a division of TAMC, is located in Mars Hill Me. and offers intermediate and skilled care beds. St. Joseph's Nursing Home, located in Frenchville ME., offers intermediate care beds. Finally, Northern Maine General Hospital, located in Eagle Lake ME., offers intermediate care beds and boarding facilities..
There are also many boarding and foster homes located in the St. John Valley. A following is a list of available facilities:
- Brooks Waiver Home- Eagle Lake
- Devoe Brook Waiver Home- Eagle Lake
- Franciscan Home- Eagle Lake
- Kennedy Waiver Home- Eagle Lake
- Dubois Boarding Home- Eagle Lake
- Massey Foster Home- Fort Kent
- Michaud Foster Home- Fort Kent
- Madawaska Group Home- Madawaska
- Wisdom House- Madawaska
Reach for Recovery is a program developed by the American Cancer Society to rehabilitate women who have had breast cancer. The purpose of the program is to help women meet physical, emotional and cosmetic needs. Volunteers also provide educational materials and support for breast cancer patients and their families. Volunteers give support in hospitals or the patients home. Volunteers also participate in yearly training. A volunteer is someone who had breast cancer and has adjusted to the illness. The volunteer must be approved by her physician and strictly maintain confidentiality.
Reach For Recovery. (1992). American Cancer Society, Inc. No.
4601-PS
Fish River Rural Health Services
Fish River Rural Health Services has offices in Fort Kent and Eagle Lake. Fish River
offers a variety of health
related services including peri-natal and post-natal care, education, and OB/ Family
health services. Peri-natal care is free to all interested person in the St. John Valley
regardless of ability to pay. Fish River offers case management. These services include
supplying free pre-natal vitamins, childbirth classes, free informational videos, parent
skills and baby skills classes, preventative education, referrals and transportation. Fish
River also offers a breast feeding support group that meets every three months. Two health
care workers handle peri-natal care. If the need arises these women will also act as labor
coaches. One health care worker currently has a 72 client case load and the other has
between 45 and 50 clients. They meet with doctors once a month to discuss their clients.
The mother and child can be followed until the child reaches the age of two. An exception
would be a high risk child who could then be followed until the age of five. Fish river
supplies baby equipment to needy families in addition to free formula if the mother and
child are not on WIC. Fish River heads the breast feeding task force in Aroostook County.
The task force meets weekly with local hospitals (doctors, nurses, etc.). They
occasionally hold county conferences on breast feeding; the last was in October of 1996.
Fish River also has a car seat program. Car seats are rented to anyone regardless of
ability to pay. If the family is low income the seat is provided for free on the condition
that it is returned when it is no longer needed. Fish River also has a program for
pregnant teens which offers education and assistance. Their education program provides
local residents with information on cholesterol screening, diabetes, infectious disease,
etc. Fish River also offers a dental program on a sliding fee scale. The Fort Kent office
employs one physician (OB & Family Practice) and a family nurse practitioner and the
Eagle Lake office employs one physician (Family Practice) who serves elderly patients in
the area in addition to family practice services. There is also a physician's assistance
employed in the Eagle Lake office. Practical nurses and registered nurses are employed at
both facilities. These family practice & OB services are also available on a sliding
fee scale.
Information obtained during a phone conversation with Gail, at Fish
River in Eagle Lake (444-5973)
Health 1rst is a primary health and preventive education service using a holistic approach to care. Recognizing that life issues can affect one's health, professionals at Health 1rst consider the total person. Health 1rst also helps maintain good reproductive health and control fertility. They are completely confidential. They encourage clients to ask questions, believing that it is the patient's right as well as their responsibility. No one earns too much money or too little to receive services at Health 1rst. Their fees are assessed on a sliding scale based on family income. Health 1rst is a service of the Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP).
Health 1rst offers three distinct services. The first of which is the medical service. They offer primary health care, specializing in women. Screening, testing and treatment are offered in the following areas: cholesterol, urinary tract infections, blood pressure evaluations, ear and throat screenings, breast exams, PAP smears, pregnancy tests, and sexually transmitted infections. Health 1rst is Aroostook County's anonymous HIV testing service with offices in Presque Isle, Houlton, Fort Kent and a limited service site in Madawaska. Other screening tests are available for chlamydia, yeast, trichomonas, HPV-genital warts, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, non-specific urethritis or vaginitis and bacterial. Complete health screenings for women include urine tests, height & weight, blood pressure evaluation, hemoglobin test for anemia, thyroid examination, heart & lungs evaluated, breast exams, pelvic exams and rectal exams. Health 1rst holds the Title 10 grant in the area for family planning services. Birth control methods offered include the following: vaginal contraceptive film, spermicidal foam & gel, condoms, oral contraceptives, diaphragms, Depo-Provera injections, Norplant System insertions, and contraceptive sponges. Information and referrals include those for sterilization, prenatal care, problem pregnancy, adoption, genetic counseling, infertility, mammograms, fitness, colposcopy, nutrition and mental and emotional health.
The second area of service that Health 1rst offers is case management for pregnant and parenting teens. Case management includes finding and using resources depending on individual needs. These services include counseling, prenatal vitamins, transportation, support with labor and delivery, parenting skills education, helping with budget and child safety kits. Referrals are made for prenatal care, nutrition counseling, prepared childbirth classes, housing, continuing education, job training, child care and alcohol and substance abuse treatment.
The third area of service that Health 1rst offers if education. Community education includes programs for schools, churches, parents, professionals, and community groups. The education is intended to promoted increased self-awareness and acceptance, prevention of teen pregnancy, responsible decision making, the prevention of unplanned and untimely pregnancy, sexual abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases, respect for others and improved communications skills. Topics of educational programs include talking with children about sexuality, self-esteem, developing positive relationships, gender role stereotypes, puberty, decision making, date rape and sexual abuse, communication skills, teen pregnancy, anatomy and physiology, sexually-transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, sexual orientation, birth control and pregnancy options.
All of the above mentioned services are available for Medicaid eligible women. Health 1rst is a non-for-profit organization.
The following statistics on teen pregnancies were obtained from Health 1rst:
1994: 10-19 year olds have a 24.8 per 1000 pregnancy rate state wide.
1994: 10-19 year olds have a 23.1 per 1000 pregnancy rate county wide.
1994: 10-19 year olds have a 16.9 per 1000 pregnancy rate in Fort Kent.
Information contained herein obtained through telephone interview and
Health 1rst: Your First Choice In Health Care (1996) Brochure.: Presque Isle:
Aroostook County Action Program.
Aroostook Mental Health Center
Aroostook Mental Health Center Services Inc. (AMHC) is a private, non-profit mental
health care organization based in Northern Maine. Covering over 6,400 square miles of
service area, AMHC was incorporated in 1964 and has evolved into a community mental health
center offering a wide variety of outpatient and inpatient services including: community
support, mental health, substance abuse, emergency, speech & language, employee &
student assistance, psychological testing & assessment, consultation and education.
The agency has grown to a staff of over 200 employees who provide services from six
outpatient locations in nine specialty services.
Psychological Testing Services: These
services are offered both in internal and external referral sources. A staff clinical
psychologists administers standardized tests to evaluate an individual's emotions,
thinking and behavior. Cognitive/ intellectual assessments are available along with
personality assessments and neuropsychological assessments.
Specialized Children's Services: Aroostook Mental Health Center's Children and Family Services along with it's mental health program, is dedicated to a comprehensive, holistic approach to the care, support and treatment of families and children. AMHC provides a variety of services specifically designed to meet the needs of children who are in immediate need of intensive intervention services and therapeutic environments.
Aroostook Academy- is a private day school for children who are experiencing behavioral and emotional problems. Located in Presque Isle, the facility can accommodate up to 12 students, ages 5 to 14. The school follows the public school calendar except for 20 extra school days the children attend during the summer. The principal goal of the school is to teach appropriate behaviors. The school employs teachers as well as therapists, thereby integrating mental health treatment with academic instruction. Parents have an option of participating in Family Support Services, a program designed to assist families who wish to enhance their relationships with their children.
ABC Academy- is a pre-school service created for children who are at risk of developing long term behavioral and emotional problems. It is located at Aroostook Academy in P.I. The school serves children ages 3-5 and provides early intervention, treatment and referral services.
Aroostook Academy Group Home- is a 4-bed therapeutic group home for children who have serious emotional and behavioral problems. Located adjacent to Aroostook Academy in P.I., the home offers stability and structure for children ages 5 to 13. Skills taught are getting along with others, managing anger, problem-solving, managing stress and being responsible.
Therapeutic Foster Homes- located throughout the region provide children at risk of abuse and neglect with safe, therapeutic home environments. Families who provide Therapeutic Foster Homes have had extensive, professional training to meet the needs of children who may be suffering from abuse and neglect, conflicts with family members, or unsafe or unstable home environments.
Employee & Student Assistance Services include design, development, and implementation of internal EAP services tailored to the company's needs and desires. Foundational to this service are assessment, brief counseling and referral services which are provided by on-site Employee Assistance Program coordinator. Essentially the EAP coordinator represents an employee benefit which provides confidential access to counseling and referral sources. The Student Assistance Programs are provided to area schools by AMHC staff trained in working with adolescents. Services include design, development, and implementation of SAP services tailored to the school's needs and desires. Offered on-site to area school departments or systems, SAP services are provided by a mental health substance abuse counselor or a primary prevention specialist.
AMHC offers educational services designed to respond to specific needs and interests of the community. Examples include: student training and internships, school and community based mental health programs, speaker's bureau, and group specific training in life skills.
AMHC provides consultation to a number of organizations in the region including hospitals, schools, businesses, nursing and boarding homes, law enforcement, allied health and social service providers, courts of law and industries.
The AMHC speech and language program strives to provide advocacy services to people with communication disorders and assure continued growth for speech and language professionals. AMHC employs a team of speech/language pathologists whose major function is to evaluate and treat people with speech and language disorders. Speech and language pathologists work closely with audiologists, physicians, and others to provide services to children and adults with hearing impairment. Speech staff located at each major outpatient clinic provide on-site services as well as providing services to schools, hospitals, health centers, and nursing homes throughout Aroostook County.
Mental Health Program: AMHC offers a comprehensive array of outpatient services to adults and children. Basic to these services are individual, group, family, and couples counseling. Some of the more common reasons why people seek outpatient counseling are for stress, depression, or family relationship problems. Criminal justice clientele, victims and individuals suffering from domestic trauma are also assisted by outpatient services.
Family Builders (intensive, short term, 12-18 week assistance) and Family Support Services (long term supportive assistance) for families. Among the services staff provide both at home and outpatient sites are home visits, skill-building in parenting, and stress and anger management. Staff members coordinate their efforts with schools and other service providers who are also working with the family.
AMHC offers a comprehensive array of substance abuse service options which include outpatient, intensive outpatient, and residential care. With the context of this array of services are specific services for dual diagnosis consumers, individuals who require treatment for substance abuse and mental illness. If, prior to treatment, individuals need medically supervised detoxification, AMHC provides referral and advocacy in obtaining these medical services. Substance abuse counselors provide services at each of the six outpatient clinics as well as at hospitals and satellite health centers. Intensive outpatient services are for individuals who need alternatives to regularly scheduled outpatient sessions. Consumers may choose either group or individualized treatment. Quitting Time, the group intensive outpatient treatment option, accommodates individuals who would like to maintain their jobs or other responsibilities while still receiving treatment. A mobile outpatient treatment specialist provides Quitting Time at hospital or AMHC outpatient clinic sites throughout the region. AMHC's Residential Treatment Facility in Limestone offers individuals a protective and supportive setting for intensive treatment services. The dependencies commonly seen at the treatment facility are one of two types: substance (alcohol, other drugs) and relationship (co-dependency). Admission to the RTF is through self-referral , direct referral from either AMHC staff or through external referral sources. Outpatient therapists also see clients after discharge for continued treatment, encouragement and liaison with local self-help groups. Length of stay is individualized according to consumer needs.
Emergency Services touch virtually all aspects of AMHC care. Emergency Services Specialists in each outpatient office respond to emergencies during normal office hours. After hours, crisis phoneline staff and volunteers field calls to the 24-hour Helpline with the support of on-call therapists who provide mobile response or face-to-face consultation when needed. Consumers are referred to Emergency Services when there is an imminent threat to life, health or safety. Telephone and face-to-face crisis intervention, consultation and referral to other services are all available. The following are specialty components of the Emergency Services Program.
Mobile Crisis Stabilization Teams provide telephone crisis intervention, consultation, assessment, brief therapy and referral. These services are offered during daytime hours through the outpatient clinics and after hours via the Helpline.
Sexual Assault Helpline staff respond to victims and survivors of sexual assault. Volunteers trained in crisis intervention provide 24-hour phoneline service. Callers receive on-line counseling, support and referral, and may receive face-to-face consultation as needed. Back-up services are provided by on-call clinical therapists.
The Transitional Residential Unit is a 4-bed short term residence for adults in crisis. The unit supports the Helpline and Sexual Assault Helpline and is centrally located. Admission stipulations include: 1) individuals admitted do not pose physical danger to self or others, and 2) individuals are not intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
The Children's Crisis Stabilization Program provides assistance to youth in crisis. Services include telephone and face-to-face counseling and referrals to other programs and resources. The program is available to youths ages 3 to 20 who live in Aroostook County. People may access the program by calling the Helpline 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
Community Support Counselors work with consumers individually or in groups, offering mental health and substance abuse services to meet needs, interests and abilities. Counselors encourage initiative and responsibility as measures of self-reliance. Vocational Services include new vocations and supported employment. New Vocations is a work adjustment program in Caribou which teaches consumers basic skills needed to obtain and maintain a job. Community Support Counselors combine efforts with "new vocs" staff to encourage, counsel and coordinate treatment.
AMHC offers the following Residential Services:
Skyhaven Transitional Living Residence is a 12-bed facility located in Presque Isle which is designed for individuals who need a transition between an institution and a home or community-based setting. Skyhaven staff devote their efforts to helping residents learn or relearn basic skills geared toward self-reliance and independence.
Madawaska Group Home is a 6-bed therapeutic residential facility for individuals with severe mental disabilities. Group home staff and counselors help residents follow their treatment plans while learning basic skills for daily living.
Caribou Apartments is a 10-unit complex for Community Support consumers. Residents enjoy a high level of independence while still receiving Community Support Services at the nearest AMHC outpatient office. Counselors provide an on-site services periodically or as needed.
Supported Housing is available to consumers at sites located around the County. Consumers qualifying for independent living opportunities also receive Community Support Services at the nearest AMHC outpatient office. Counselors provide on-site services periodically or as needed.
Day Treatment Services are offered in the Central Aroostook area to help consumers with community integration, access to resources and socialization. A Caribou-based counselor plans and coordinates day treatment activities with Community Support Counselors and community resources.
Valley Social Club Consumers and their families who live in the northern Aroostook region may participate in programs and services offered at the Valley Social Club in Madawaska. Activities at the center are managed by AMHC staff and offer opportunities for socialization and recreation.
Nursing and Boarding Home Services are offered on-site in central and southern Aroostook to residents who need mental health care. Community Support Specialists-- who are social workers or nurses-- offer such services as counseling, consultation, advocacy and education in elderly services care. Specialists may also consult with the attending physician, nursing home staff and concerned family members to support and facilitate treatment continuity.
Information obtained from Ronald G. Thibodeau, Personnel Director,
AMHC (1-800-432-7805)