LEWISTON – Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice held its annual meeting on Nov. 13 at which the Robert D. Turcotte Memorial Awards were presented.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Richard Stephenson, former AHCH medical director and current medical director of the Hospice and Palliative CareCenter in Winston-Salem, N.C. Stephenson was chosen to speak in acknowledgment of the growth in hospice services that AHCH has experienced over the past year and its current plans to develop Maine’s first hospice house.

The Robert D. Turcotte Memorial Awards are given annually in recognition of their outstanding personal leadership and commitment on behalf of home health patients and providers. Turcotte, who resided in Auburn, was the treasurer of the AHCH Board of Directors from 1978 until his death in 1982.

The 2003 recipients of the award are Carolyn Balsam of Industry, Judy Hunter of Auburn, and Myrtle Milledge of Mexico. All are AHCH volunteers serving in various roles.

Carolyn Balsam believes the most rewarding thing in life is helping people. She has been an AHCH volunteer in the Farmington area for 11 years. She started as a visitor, then became a hospice volunteer, and has also volunteered with the agency’s annual fund.

Over the last 11 years, Balsam has touched the lives of 18 patients; some only meeting once or twice, others growing into long-term relationships. She loves people and always focuses on the positive aspects of their lives. More than anything, she makes herself presence felt with those she helps by reading, sitting, talking, sharing and touching.

Hunter has been a hospice volunteer since 1996. She exemplifies excellence in volunteerism and customer service. She is reliable, connects with patients from all walks of life and goes the extra mile without being asked and without hesitation. Her wisdom and compassion make her an exceptional volunteer.

Focusing on the needs of her patients, she develops a relationship of trust and respect with them. She is an advocate for her patients and collaborates with staff to see that their needs get met. The way she exceeds others expectations is how she makes a difference in the lives of hospice patients and their families.

Myrtle Milledge has been a volunteer with AHCH since 1994, serving as a senior companion, visiting volunteer and hospice volunteer. She has served more than 25 patients. Her greatest gifts are her compassion and ability to connect with others. She will often bring her patients a little something from her kitchen or garden, or help them with a craft project. Being described as a “ray of sunshine” it’s no wonder her garden grows so well. One of her favorite past times is reminiscing about how things used to be in town in the old days. Having educated herself about Alzheimer’s disease, Milledge is a valuable resource within her community.

Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice is a nonprofit, Medicare-certified agency that provides skilled home care, supportive care and hospice care for residents of Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford and northern Cumberland Counties. AHCH provides skilled home care and hospice care to patients and families regardless of their ability to pay.

The agency provides a full spectrum of services including skilled nursing; physical, occupational and speech therapies; home health aides; medical social work; personal care and homemaking services that allow people to live independently and safely at home. In addition, several specialty care programs are offered, including infusion therapy; diabetic education; wound care; cardiac rehabilitation; psychiatric, obstetrical and pediatric nursing; and telemedicine services.

More information about AHCH can be found at the agency’s Web site, ahch.org.