St. Joseph's Hospital unveils new age-friendly unit for older Mainers

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Many minds came together to create a new department at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor to ensure older Mainers receive quality care.

The newly renovated, age-friendly patient rooms will make every senior patient and their family at St. Joe’s feel comfortable, accessible and supportive.

Community leaders and staff gathered on the sixth floor of the hospital to tour the nine rooms.

Sen. Susan Collins and campaign donors shared in the excitement about the upgrade.

“Maine is the oldest state in the country by median age, so we have a disproportionately high population, and these new rooms with their soothing colors, with the extra grab bars, with the expanded bathrooms, with the places where family members can come and visit make such a difference,” said Senator Collins.

Senator Collins secured $1.5 million in Congressionally directed spending for the project.

The rooms also offer enhanced lighting, high-contrast flooring, accessible bathrooms and more for appropriate end-of-life care.