[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17655]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER MONTH


                             Care & Comfort

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, November marks National Family Caregiver 
Month, a chance to thank those who provide care for our loved ones in 
their time of need. According to the most recent census data, my home 
State of Maine has the oldest population in the United States, and 
therefore I am acutely aware of the tremendous role wonderful, 
compassionate individuals play as caregivers. Today I rise to commend 
and recognize Care & Comfort, a small business that successfully helps 
to fill the need for high-quality health care professionals in Maine.
  Care & Comfort, headquartered in the central Maine city of 
Waterville, specializes in care for elderly and special needs 
individuals. Within their home health division, Care & Comfort provides 
nursing services, caring companions, in-home care, and long-term care. 
Throughout various other divisions, the company offers outpatient 
therapy, behavioral health and community support services, children's 
case management service, home and community support services for 
children, adult community support, and home modifications. As a company 
which strives ``to provide the best possible care to clients and 
families across Maine,'' Care & Comfort not only helps its clients 
through its high quality customer service, it also serves as a 
community resource on health care for the entire Maine community.
  In 1991, Susan Giguere started Care & Comfort with just two employees 
after realizing the lack of home health solutions in Maine following 
her mother's illness. In order to expand her business, Susan applied 
for and received guaranteed loans from the Small Business 
Administration, SBA. The first loan Susan obtained was for $100,000 in 
1996, and the second for just over $330,000 in 2000. These loans 
allowed her company to grow from two employees to 475 staff members. As 
a result, this August Care & Comfort was named to the SBA 100 list, 
which features 100 small businesses that have created at least 100 jobs 
since receiving SBA assistance. This honor is richly deserved, as the 
company has vividly demonstrated the tenacity and strength found in so 
many of our Nation's small businesses in these challenging economic 
times.
  Care & Comfort now helps 890 home health and 748 mental health 
clients out of five regional offices located across the State. 
Furthermore, this small business goes above and beyond the call of duty 
to routinely give back to the community through volunteer efforts and 
charitable donations. Their hard work, along with exceptional staff, 
has led to several accolades for the company including awards from the 
SBA, two Fleet Bank Awards for Community Service, and an award from 
Kennebec Valley Community College.
  Care & Comfort has assisted many families through difficult times. 
Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate this firm's successes, 
as they have simultaneously helped support our loved ones and created 
numerous jobs throughout Maine. I am proud to extend my congratulations 
to Susan Giguere and everyone at Care & Comfort for their tremendous 
efforts and offer my best wishes for continued success.

                          ____________________