Southeast Texas Hospice

“Hospice is able to help terminal patients become painfree in their home settings.”

“One of the things that impressed me the most was the cheerfulness and sincerity of the staff. I felt like my husband and our family came first. I knew I could call at any hour of the day or night if I needed help.”

“Everyone was so nice and helpful. Without Hospice’s help, I don't know how our family could have made it. The staff at Hospice has become a second family to us. I’ll never forget how they helped us.”

“Because the Hospice philosophy affirms LIFE... our care givers recognize dying as a normal process and advocate neither the delay nor hastening of the normal course of dying.”

Hospice care provides home visits by a physician, professional nurse, member of the clergy, social worker, home health aides, trained volunteers, various professional therapists, and other specialists who work together as needed.

Physician Supervision

Dealing with terminal patients requires a different type of doctoring. The Hospice doctor works closely with the patient’s attending physician who determines which medical services are needed by their patient and which services they wish for the Hospice physician to provide.

Nursing Assistance

Hospice nurses provide skilled care and evaluative monitoring of the patient’s condition with compassionate care for as often and as long as necessary. Hospice nurses spend time visiting patients to make them comfortable and to answer questions that family members may have. Hospice understands that families need to feel secure in the care they are providing to their loved ones.

Spiritual Counseling

If requested by the patient or family, the Hospice Chaplain can help establish spiritual closeness by coordinating religious resources from the patient’s own congregation. The forthright manner in which the Hospice staff deals with each patient’s case is helpful to both the patient and family to accept the reality of the situation, their own mortality, and their relationship to God.

Referral for Help

The responsibilities of caring for a patient may seem frightening or overwhelming to a family. The Hospice social worker explains the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects connected with a terminal illness. Information is also provided to the patient and family about community resources and financial assistance available to families for medical supplies, counseling services, food stamps, and disability income. Hospice serves as a reliable source of information and as a reassuring friend.

Personal help

Hospice home health aides provide personal care services to a patient like helping with their bath or personal grooming. And, hospice aides assist families in routine activities such as washing clothes, cooking, cleaning and even buying groceries if needed.

Companionship

Hospice volunteers provide friendship, a kind word, extra help around the house or respite–so family members can leave for a few hours to take care of errands, shopping or personal needs. Each volunteer is carefully screened and trained before being assigned to a patient and family.

Continued Support

Hospice provides emotional counseling to its patients and families throughout the final stages of their illness. Hospice has found that many people need the continued emotional support after their loved one has died. Many families take advantage of Hospice’s “Bereavement Program” which lends support for a period of one year after a patient’s death.