Text JoinTeam to 97211 to learn more about career opportunities today!

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is an affirmation of life that focuses on keeping comfort, pain-free care when a loved one is faced with a terminal illness.

Palliative Care Vs Hospice Care

People often get hospice and palliative care confused. While they do have some similarities, they are different. In our latest video, Dr. Avestimehr explains the key differences between these two types of care.

Compassionate Hospice Care Services in Texas

Transitioning to hospice care can be difficult for patients and their families, but it does not have to be. Embrace Hospice makes everyone involved as comfortable as possible. We offer premier hospice care across southcentral Texas, allowing your loved one to live in comfort and dignity. No matter what level of care they need, our experienced and dedicated staff will make every effort possible to accommodate.

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is an affirmation of life that focuses on maintaining comfortable, pain-free care when a loved one is faced with a terminal illness. We concentrate on keeping the patient and family involved as much as possible utilizing a team-oriented approach that includes professional medical, social, emotional and spiritual support. Embrace Hospice provides individualized professional care plans that allow you to live comfortably wherever you may call home surrounded by your loved ones.

Hospice care helps terminally-ill patients live the last stages of life in comfort and dignity.  Besides simply taking care of the patient’s physical needs around the clock, hospice care also emphasizes the importance of emotional and social well-being. Hospice care involves the expertise of many different professionals during the care process, including the patient’s primary care physician (PCP), registered nurses, hospice aides, social workers, spiritual advisors, and volunteers. All in all, hospice care encompasses a wide range of services necessary to make your loved one’s final days as comfortable as possible. The sudden loss of a loved one comes with immeasurable grief, but choosing hospice care means you and your family will have time to live the last moments to the fullest. 

If you are unsure if hospice care is right for you or your loved one, a pre-hospice consultation may be helpful. A pre-hospice care consultation may consist of the following services:

 

  • Medical assessment by registered nurse or our medical director
  • Current and previous treatment review
  • Review of responses to previous treatments
  • Discussion with the patient and family regarding life goals
  • Symptom management discussion
  • Information on Medicare and Medicaid benefits for those with terminal disease(s)

 

To schedule a pre-hospice consultation or to talk to a Embrace Hospice Care Consultant,  please call us today, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Indicators that are hospice-eligible can include but are not limited to:

  • Weight Loss
  • Increased assistance with daily activities
  • Increased weakness and fatigue
  • Frequent and multiple falls
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Continuous oxygen
  • Increase/changes in medication
  • Recurring or multiple infections
  • Frequent phone calls to physician
  • Frequent hospitalizations or ER visits

Physician Services Will Address All Needs

At Embrace Hospice, we provide the physician services you would expect of hospice and go above and beyond to provide premier care for our patients. The patient’s Primary Care Physician remains the director for their care, and our staff works to keep them informed of the patient’s condition, wants, and needs. Working in conjunction with our Medical Director, our clinical team provides all necessary education and home visits that are outlined in each care plan.

Taking Care of Pain and Symptom Management

Care plans for pain and medication coordination are essential aspects of hospice care. We work with your loved one to understand their needs, and then we create a strategy for pain and symptom management throughout their time with us. Our nurses will administer the necessary medications and treatments during their home visits to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible.

Personalized Comfort Care for Your Loved One

There are few things that are more dehumanizing than being treated like just another number. At Embrace Hospice, we create individualized care plans that treat your loved one as a human being. Our nurses and nurse aides add a personal touch to their daily care plans, so you can rest assured your loved one is in good hands.

Bereavement Support

It is an understatement to say dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult. That is why Embrace Hospice is committed to providing bereavement services to families of loved ones. You will meet with a qualified bereavement coordinator during the admission process and will receive their support throughout the entire hospice care process.

Assisting Beyond Physical Needs

Just as important as the physical needs, social and spiritual support are prioritized during the care process. Our Medical Social Workers are available to help you navigate the required paperwork associated with the admission process to hospice care. Also, should you have a religious affiliation, our chaplain and bereavement teams will assist you with spiritual needs during end of life and any special arrangements you prefer, such as funeral arrangements and memorial services.

Volunteers Add an Extra Personal Touch

In addition to the knowledgeable care team, Embrace Hospice has a dedicated volunteer staff available for our hospice patients. Our volunteers are compassionate, friendly individuals aimed to providing extra care for your loved one. These volunteers go for walks, read to patients, create personalized crafts, or simply provide conversations. Our volunteers are also available to offer you and your family support through the grieving process.

We Take Care of the Supplies You Need

The cost of medication can put an undue burden on a patient’s family. Luckily, Embrace Hospice will handle the costs associated with medication, medical equipment, and other supplies related to the patient’s terminal diagnosis. We are well-equipped to coordinate with insurance companies to ensure all medical supplies are readily available.

Have More Questions?

 

Embrace Hospice has a complete list of Frequently Asked Questions that you can find the answers you are looking for. 

Hospice FAQs

Latest Blog Updates

Keep informed with the latest information about Embrace Hospice, see us in your community, and meet our friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Search Embrace Hospice & Home Health