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Hospice Care Placement
Texas
What is Hospice Care and Who is it for?
Hospice care services and facilities in Texas are intended for patients who are transitioning into the last months of their life, typically working with those that have a life expectancy of six months or less. Patients in hospice care are commonly facing a terminal condition or serious health condition, such as heart failure or cancer.
Once it is established that curing the condition and prolonging the patient’s life is no longer a viable option, hospice care is implemented as a means to maximize the quality of life and provide support services to the patient and their family.
When a senior is placed in hospice, they will receive care from a varying team of professionals (and sometimes volunteers), all of whom are working together to ensure the patient’s comfort as they move through the end stages of life. Team members may include a combination of doctors, nurse practitioners, religious leaders, and home health providers. Hospice care services often encompass medical, emotional, and spiritual support for the patient, as well as supporting their family in the complex experience of caring for a loved one at the closing stages of life. The ultimate goal of hospice care is to affirm the patient’s life until the very end, approaching their passing with the belief that death is a natural process.
While some people are concerned that hospice care means their loved one will receive a lower standard of medical care, that simply isn’t true. Instead, the specific focus of medical care simply shifts, with medical professionals instead of doing everything possible to make the patient comfortable.
Hospice care in Texas may be offered in the patient’s own home, a family member’s home, or a designated hospice care facility. Generally, the services provided include:
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Appropriate medical care, specifically focused on symptom control and pain management as needed
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Access to a hospice care team member on a 24/7 basis
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Necessary medical equipment and supplies
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Counseling and support for the patient’s family, assisting in emotional and spiritual issues associated with the oncoming death of a loved one
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Guidance in the practical aspects of a loved one’s death
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Respite care for family and caregivers
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Volunteer support with meal preparation, errands, and other everyday tasks
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Counseling services after your loved one’s passing
Every hospice care facility in Texas takes a slightly different approach and finding the one that fits your loved one’s needs and beliefs ensure the best possible experience and transition. Usually, insurance programs (including Medicare, Medicaid, and private companies) cover all or most of the expenses associated with hospice care.
Once your family qualifies for hospice care, MKR Senior Health Strategist can help you find a facility you trust for your loved one’s last days. Hospice care is generally used for patients who have a life expectancy of six months or less. MKR Senior Health Strategist offers free elder care placement services in Texas so you can focus on spending time with your loved one and not on finding a location for them to live.
What are the Four Levels of Hospice Care?
Hospice care is traditionally categorized according to four distinct levels, a system first developed by Medicare. Depending on the situation, a patient may pass through all four levels throughout their time in hospice or may remain in just one level until the end of their life.
Every hospice care service or facility certified by Medicare is required to provide all four of the following levels of hospice care:
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Level One – Routine Home Care: Routine home care is the first and most basic type of hospice care, and may also be referred to as routine nursing home care for patients living in a nursing home facility. This level of care includes:
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Medical care and services provided by physicians and nurses
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Social services
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Counseling (including spiritual, religious, and bereavement)
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Therapy services
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Home health care
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Medications, equipment, and supplies
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Diagnostic studies as needed for a terminal diagnosis
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Level Two – Continuous Home Care: For patients who require a nurse or home health aide accessible in their home environment, continuous home care provides a health professional anywhere from eight to twenty-four hours a day. Generally, continuous home care is intended to be a short-term solution, and its necessity is reevaluated every 24 hours.
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Level Three – General Inpatient Care: For some hospice patients, short-term symptoms may make it impossible to be comfortable at home. In these situations, they may temporarily be transferred to an inpatient facility to receive care. Inpatient care offers the benefit of around-the-clock access to nurses, which make help the patient feel more comfortable both medically and emotionally. General inpatient care may be provided at a free-standing hospice facility, a hospital’s inpatient hospice unit, or in a hospice unit in a nursing home.
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Level Four – Respite Care: For patients that do not qualify for inpatient or continuous care services, respite care can be a way to help their family receive a much-needed break from the pressures of caregiving. For up to five days, the patient can be admitted to an inpatient facility to allow the family to recuperate from stress or handle various personal circumstances.
Opting for Professional Hospice Care Placement Services in Texas
For families searching for hospice care, a free professional placement service can provide the necessary expertise and support to make the transition as stress-free as possible. Deciding on hospice care is already an emotionally challenging situation, but a placement agency can handle the difficult legwork of locating the best-fit service or facility for your loved one.
Usually, the placement process begins with an interview that provides the consultant with the necessary details to make an excellent match for your loved one. Once you select a hospice care option from their suggestions, the consultant can guide you through the process including completing and submitting paperwork. In many cases, these placement services (including those facilitated by MKR Senior Health Strategist are provided at no cost to your family. Having a professional consultant to support and advocate for you throughout the process can make a significant difference in your life and the life of your friend or family member.
Find Compassionate Hospice Care in Texas with
MKR Senior Health Strategist
When you’re faced with finding hospice care for your loved one, it can be a process burdened with complex emotions, extreme stress, and financial concerns. Not only is locating end-of-life care extremely overwhelming on a personal level, but it can also become a strain in terms of time and money. In terms of options for comfort care, Texas has no shortage of options – but having so many to choose from can often make the process even more difficult.
At MKR Senior Health Strategist our focus is on eliminating as much of the burden as possible, helping you find the best hospice care in Texas for your family member or friend and allowing you to devote your time and energy to spend the remaining months by their side.
We have the industry expertise and experience to know exactly what qualifies a hospice care program as high-quality and can evaluate your loved one’s situation to recommend a program that suits their needs – all at absolutely no cost to you. We’ve spent more than 20 years working closely with seniors and their families, drawing on our founder’s background in provide the best in care and compassion.
Get the support you need to find the best Texas hospice care for your loved one and make the most of their remaining months of life. Learn more about how MKR Senior Health Strategist no-cost hospice care placement can help by contacting our office today.
OUR SERVICES ARE 100% FREE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
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