MaineHealth Care at Home Marks 125 Years of Service

historic picture of two nurses providing care to newborns

Nurse Anne Cote at the Biddeford Public Health Office, date unknown.

In 2021, MaineHealth Care at Home (MHCAH) celebrates its 125th year of helping Maine people to be as healthy and independent as possible, at home and in the community. MHCAH’s roots can be traced back to 1896, when the City of Saco hired three nurses charged with delivering nursing care in the community and at patient homes.

In the early days home visits were conducted via horse and buggy, calls were 25 cents, and the association was supported by yearly membership drives, whist parties, church collections, etc.  On May 11th, 1936, the nurses received a significant upgrade – a $500 purchase of a V8 Ford Tudor Sedan from Rowe Motors, Inc. The vehicle would increase the total amount of patients able to be seen, shorten travel times to critical patients, and provide storage of essential medical supplies to be utilized during home visits.

left: historic photo of two nurses with Ford Sedan, right: historic invoice for Ford Sedan

On May 11th, 1936, the district got a significant upgrade; with a $500 budget, they purchased a V8 Ford Tudor Sedan from Rowe Motors, Inc. At left, Miss Stanley and Miss Hall are seen standing in front of the new purchase. At right, see the receipt from Rowe!

a doctor and a nurse providing care to a young mother and child in a home settingIn 1975, the town nursing associations in Saco, Sanford, and Wells merged to form York County Health Services. The benefit of this collective force was summarized by Doris Reando, first president of the board: “Through the joining of three York County Health Agencies, Home and Community Health programs have become standardized and comprehensive. That is, services have been added where they were previously not available, and those programs which uniquely met health needs in one community have been offered to others…”

In 1988, York County Health Services officially became the Visiting Nurses Service of Southern Maine. Growth in the years following was staggering: from 1987 to 1996, annual home visits increased from 33,624 to nearly 200,000, respectively. Staff doubled from 124 to 230. Free care costs increased to nearly $400,000 annually, and services expanded to include lab testing, vaccinations and other services.

In 2004, Visiting Nurse Service merged with Community Health Service forming HomeHealth Visiting Nurses of Southern Maine. A merger with Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice and Waldo County Home Care and Hospice, in 2016, paved the way for the creation of MaineHealth Care at Home.

historic image of two nurses providing care to a group of young children in a home settingInnovation has always been a cornerstone at MHCAH, from the development of in-community health service to the novel usage of automobiles to deliver care. There was no exception when, in 2002, telehealth was introduced. Through grant funding and donor contributions, telehealth remains an integral part of MHCAH’s health service continuum.

MaineHealth Care at Home has seen many changes over the years, including expanded services such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, social work and hospice. Its longstanding commitment to patients remains in focus as it continues to provide exceptional health care services to Maine residents in the community and in the comfort of their homes.

The entire MaineHealth family is saddened by the death of MaineHealth Care at Home leader Donna DeBlois, who passed away after her courageous battle with cancer on October 1, 2021. We are grateful for her leadership and her longtime dedication to health care and MaineHealth.

Donna Deblois

More Stories

Building a Culture of Belonging Infused with Pride

Read Story

Celebrating 20 Years of MaineHealth Access to Care

Read Story

PEER RECOVERY PARTNER PROGRAM LAUNCHES

Read Story