Hospice at Home

Sometimes the answer you seek is right at home.

The majority of Hospice of East Texas’ patients are served in their homes, whether that be their own home, a nursing home, or an assisted living facility.  HomeCare services allow patients to remain in a place of familiar comfort while receiving professional medical care from a team of skilled professionals and supportive volunteers.

The Hospice of East Texas HomeCare team includes:

• Nurses provide professional care, answer questions and help educate caregivers.  They visit on a regular schedule and are available by phone 24 hours a day if you have questions.
• Home health aides assist with patients’ personal care such as bathing and personal grooming.
• Social workers are available to provide emotional support, counseling and assist in making referrals to community resources
• The chaplain is available to offer spiritual support
• Specially trained volunteers are available to provide companionship and helps in the home and/or with errands

Your physician remains in charge of your care and will direct The Hospice of East Texas nurses and HomeCare team.  The physicians who serve as co-medical directors of Hospice are also available to collaborate with your primary physician or to provide primary care if requested by your physician.

Admission - How do you begin receiving services from Hospice of East Texas?

Just call us at 903-266-3400 or 1-800-777-9860. Anyone can refer someone to Hospice of East Texas. Most often, it is a doctor, social worker, discharge planner, case manager or other healthcare professional. The patient, family or friends can also request Hospice of East Texas services. The patient's doctor will be contacted to confirm the diagnosis and that hospice care is appropriate. Only after a physician gives consent to hospice care will the patient be admitted. Hospice of East Texas staff members are sensitive to the concerns of those facing terminal illness. An appointment can be made with the intake department for a staff member to meet directly with the patient and caregivers to discuss services, assess needs, outline coverage and answer questions.

Hospice of East Texas services may begin immediately, or the patient may take some time to think about it.

If Hospice of East Texas care is desired, a nurse will assess physical needs, review medications and complete the required paperwork. The social worker and hospice chaplain may assess emotional, social, financial and spiritual needs.