Medical News for Beaumont and East Texas

An Introduction to Hospice Care

Over the past two decades, more and more Beaumont seniors have chosen Southeast Texas hospice care.

That leaves many Southeast Texas seniors in the unusual position of knowing one or more friends, relatives or loved ones who have chosen hospice care but still not really understanding all of the details of Southeast Texas hospice care for ourselves.

If you or a loved one choose Hospice, what kind of services can you expect to receive from a Southeast Texas hospice?

Most Golden Triangle seniors will have friends or loved ones who choose Hospice. It can be helpful to know what kind of services they will be receiving.

• Nursing Care. Registered nurses coordinate care for every patient, provide direct patient care, monitor medications, and check symptoms. The nurse maintains communication with the physician as the patient’s condition and treatment changes warrants.
• Medical Social Services. The social worker evaluates the family dynamics and acts as an advocate for the patient and family in making use of community resources. The social worker also provides advice and counseling to the patient and family members during the crisis period while providing feedback to the hospice team on recommended changes. SETXseniors.com note: Often the social worker is instrumental in assisting the patient and family in uniting to provide the best possible quality of life and focused approach for the patient.
• Physician Services. The patient’s physician approves the plan of care and works closely with the hospice team. A hospice medical director is available to the attending physician, the patient, and the hospice care team as a consultant and a resource.
• Spiritual Counselors. Spiritual Counselors are available to visit and provide support to the terminally ill. The Spiritual Counselor also coordinates support with the patient’s personal clergy when desired. This program also use churches and congregations to aid the patient and family as requested.
• Bereavement Support. Bereavement is the time of mourning that we all experience following a loss. The hospice care team works with the surviving family members to help them with the grieving process. Support may include a trained volunteer or counselor visiting the family at specific periods during the first year, or phone calls and/or letter contact and the opportunity for family members to participate in support groups.
• Certified Nurse Aid Services. Certified Nurse Aides provide personal care for the patient, such as bathing, shampooing, shaving, and nail care. Certified Nurse Aides also provide valuable feedback to the Team regarding their observation and the patient’s needs.
• Volunteers. Volunteers are trained in good listening skills and provide compassionate support for both patient and family. They offer companionship and help with everyday tasks such as shopping, sitting, and other tasks which help maintain the family’s routine. Volunteer services may also include professional and personal care services.
• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies. Daily living tasks such as walking, dressing, or feeding oneself can become challenging during an illness. Therapists help the patient develop new ways to accomplish these tasks.

We hope this information will give you a better insight of what to expect if you or a loved one is considering using Southeast Texas hospice care.

Hospice can be a blessing for both Beaumont seniors and their families.

For Southeast Texas seniors with questions about hospice care, your personal physician is a wonderful resource. Your doctor can give you a more detailed overview of what hospice is, when hospice is used, and help you decide whether or not Southeast Texas hospice care is the right fit for you.

If you or a special Beaumont senior in your life have additional questions about hospice care, please feel free to call Harbor Hospice Beaumont.

They can assist Golden Triangle seniors with getting the information needed to make an informed decision.

• Daryl Fant, Publisher Senior Resource Guide

• Call: (512) 567-8068

• E-mail: SETXAdvertising@gmail.com