Southeast Texas Senior News – Introduction to Hospice Services

Are you looking for an introduction to hospice services in The Beaumont area?

Many of our readers are starting to look into Southeast Texas hospice care but still have a lot of questions.

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

Most Southeast Texas seniors will have friends or loved ones who choose Hospice in the coming months or years.

It can be helpful to know what kind of services they will be receiving.

Our local Golden Triangle hospice providers have prepared some information that will help answer these questions for our seniors and their families.

• Hospice Nursing Care. Registered nurses coordinate care for every Southeast Texas hospice 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. Your Southeast Texas hospice 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. com note: Often Beaumont area hospice social workers are instrumental in assisting SETX senior citizens and their families in uniting to provide the best possible quality of life and focused approach for the patient.
• Physician Hospice Services. The patient’s own personal senior care physician approves the plan of care and works closely with the Southeast Texas hospice care team. A hospice medical director is available to the attending physician, the patient, and each SETX hospice care team as a consultant and a resource.
• Spiritual Counselors. Spiritual Counselors are available in Southeast Texas hospices  to visit and provide support to the terminally ill. The Spiritual Counselor also coordinates support with each Southeast Texas senior’s personal clergy when desired. This program also uses Southeast Texas churches and their congregations to aid Golden Triangle seniors and their families as requested.
• Bereavement Support. Bereavement is the time of mourning that we all experience following a loss. Unlike a traditional medical scenario, Southeast Texas hospice care teams work with the surviving family members to help them with the grieving process. Support may include a trained SETX hospice 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 local Southeast Texas grief support groups.
• Certified Nurse Aid Services. Certified Nurse Aides provide personal care for Southeast Texas senior citizens, such as bathing, shampooing, shaving, and nail care. Certified Nurse Aides also provide valuable feedback to each Southeast Texas hospice care team regarding their observation and the patient’s hospice care needs.
• Southeast Texas Hospice Volunteers. Volunteers are trained in good listening skills and provide compassionate support for both patient and family. Many have family members who were SETX Seniors who have been through the hospice process. 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. Skilled hospice therapists help Southeast Texas senior hospice patients develop new ways to accomplish these tasks.

We hope that today’s introduction to hospice services in The Beaumont area has been helpful.

Do you have additional questions about hospice care in the Golden Triangle?

Schedule a consultation with your Southeast Texas senior care doctor.

If you are looking to build your knowledge on hospice care resources in the Golden Triangle, stay tuned to SETXSeniors.com.

Each year we provide over 25 articles about various aspects of hospice care in Southeast Texas.

You can also “Like” SETX Seniors on Facebook to receive the latest Southeast Texas senior news.

Would you like to meet local senior care organizations, like Southeast Texas hospice providers in person?

Visit them at Southeast Texas Senior Expo Series events.

Do you have immediate hospice needs or questions?

Contact your Southeast Texas Senior Care Physician.