North Country Associates (NCA) is a growing Owner/Operator of Long Term and Skilled Nursing Facilities in New England.  With facilities located in Maine and Massachusetts, the company has emerged as a leader in providing a range of services to the elderly as well as individuals who are mentally and physically challenged.  The company was founded in 1982 and grew by acquisition to a point where NCA was cited in Contemporary Long Term Care Magazine as one of the 100 largest providers of Long Term Care in the country.

 

The operations of North Country, including management, reimbursement, professional services, human resources, marketing and development are controlled by North Country Associates, Inc. in Lewiston, Maine.

 

In 1982, North Country acquired six residential care facilities with a total of 174 beds.  These homes formed the base from which North Country established itself as a quality health care provider and enabled subsequent nursing home ownership.  North Country diversified itself of these homes in October 1988.

 

North Country began nursing facility operations in 1984 with the acquisition and subsequent renovation of seven facilities with a total of 271 beds.  Two of these facilities were intermediate care facilities for the mentally and physically challenged.

 

In 1986, North Country acquired three additional homes in Madison and Biddeford, Maine and Harwich Massachusetts.  This added a total of 219 beds.  North Country then instituted a program to rehabilitate the facilities, upgrading the physical environment and enhancing services.

 

During 1988, North Country purchased Sonogee Estates in Bar Harbor, Maine.  Also in 1988, North Country opened its first independent living facility, Orchard Park Living Center in Farmington, Maine.

 

In 1989, North Country added Courtland Living Center in Ellsworth, Maine to its growing list of owned facilities.

 

In the 1990’s, North Country added two facilities under management agreements in Lewiston and Strong, Maine.   Consulting agreements were secured for two additional facilities in Patten and Milbridge, Maine.

 

In 1995, North Country changed focus to enhance services and expand levels of care, having attained Medicare certification in all intermediate care facilities.  As a result, therapies, both on site and outpatient, as well as skilled nursing were added to all Medicare certified facilities and these same facilities became Rehabilitation and Living Centers to better reflect acuity levels and corporate goals.

 

In 1998, Maplecrest Rehabilitation and Living Center became the first North Country facility to attain accreditation (with commendation) with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.  This opened the door for other North Country facilities to follow.  Two other facilities, Southridge and Courtland Rehabilitation and Living Centers, later attained this goal.

 

In 2001, Borderview Rehabilitation and Living Center in Van Buren, Maine was acquired bringing North Country’s services statewide. Also in 2001, North Country expanded once again to provide residential care services in several of its facilities, enhancing opportunities for care to those who might need supervision without the more intense skilled or long term nursing care.

 

North Country Associates continues to grow by providing management and consulting services continues to several facilities throughout Maine.  The company strives to maintain a philosophy of quality care and active community involvement, which, it believes, creates a strong awareness and understanding for those who may need our variety of services.

 

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