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Maine Medical Center's Geriatric Program recognizes the need for special care for the older patient. The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is one of the services along with an Acute Care for Elders Unit (ACE), geriatric consultations for inpatients, and outpatient assessments at the Geriatric Center. We serve as a model for the rest of the state of Maine for good patient care for the elderly.

Description:
The Hospital Elder Life Program at Maine Medical Center is designed to maintain cognitive and physical functioning in patients over the age of seventy. HELP Volunteers are specially trained to provide assistance with keeping patients alert, assisting patients at meal time, motivating them to exercise in bed or walk, and engaging them in therapeutic activities. HELP volunteers are also trained in massage and relaxation techniques as part of the sleep protocol. They also provide vision and hearing assistance with magnifiers, large print materials and assistive listening devices.

Friendly Visitor volunteers spend quality time with patients who may have some memory impairment or who have been excluded from the HELP. They provide company and activities such as reading materials, word puzzles or soothing items such as lap afghans and hand exercise balls. Friendly Visitors often become HELP volunteers once they are more comfortable with the hospital environment and routine. Friendly Visitors have separate training from the HELP volunteers.

History:
The Hospital Elder Life Program was started in May of 2002, based on a program developed at Yale University Hospital. The program takes referrals from units throughout the hospital. In 2004 the Acute Care for Elders Unit was established on a general medicine unit with 30 beds.

Contact person: Cara Chasse, Elder Life Specialist, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (207) 662-4257

Address:

Hospital Elder Life Program, Geriatrics Division, 22 Bramhall St Portland, ME 04102 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.mmc.org/mmc_services/helpdefault.htm

Directions:

Exit 5 off 295, to Congress St. Take a right onto Bramhall St. Parking for guests is on Chadwick St which is the left hand fork when you see the main entrance to the hospital. Enter at the main entrance. . . (more) For maps or information, please see http://www.portlandmaine.worldweb.com/Transportation/PublicTransit

Miscellaneous Information

This agency has United Way funded programs
	Yes
The agency places volunteers in these categories:
	ages 15 - 18, Adults