713.784.2885
OUR CARE
We help people who are terminally ill live comfortably by focusing on pain management, not on curing an illness. Our specially trained team of professionals and caregivers provide care for the whole person, including his or her physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
UNDERSTANDING HOSPICE CARE
Corpus Christi Hospice restores quality of life for patients by reducing the pain and symptoms associated with their life limiting illness. We get to know our patients and their loved ones on a personal level and work closely with a team of specialists to develop a palliative care plan that supports patient and family end-of-life goals. While we do not administer curative care, our staff will aggressively treat symptoms and pain to ensure comfort.
Important Hospice Facts
-
Hospice helps people who are terminally ill live comfortably.
-
Hospice isn’t only for people with cancer.
-
The focus is on comfort, not on curing an illness.
-
A specially trained team of professionals and caregivers provide care for the “whole person, including his or her physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.”
-
Services may include physical care, counseling, drugs, equipment, and supplies for the terminal illness and related condition(s).
-
Care is generally provided in the home.
-
Family caregivers can get support.
Medicare Hospice Benefits
Medicare hospice benefits are available when you meet all of these conditions:
-
You’re eligible for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance);
-
Your doctor and the hospice medical director certify that you’re terminally ill and have 6 months or less to live if your illness runs its normal course;
-
You sign a statement choosing hospice care instead of other Medicare-covered benefits to treat your terminal illness (Medicare will still pay for covered benefits for any health problems that aren’t related to your terminal illness); and
-
You get care from a Medicare-approved hospice program.
The hospice benefit allows you and your family to stay together in the comfort of your home unless you need care in an inpatient facility. If the hospice team determines that you need inpatient care, the hospice team will make the arrangements for your stay.
YOU AND YOUR HOSPICE CARE
Length of Hospice Care
Hospice care is intended for people with 6 months or less to live if the disease runs its normal course. If you live longer than 6 months, you can still get hospice care, as long as the hospice medical director or other hospice doctor recertifies that you’re terminally ill.
IMPORTANT | Hospice care is given in benefit periods. You can get hospice care for two 90-day periods followed by an unlimited number of 60-day periods. At the start of each period, the hospice medical director or other hospice doctor must recertify that you’re terminally ill, so you can continue to get hospice care. A benefit period starts the day you begin to get hospice care and it ends when your 90-day or 60-day period ends.
Stopping Hospice Care
If your health improves or your illness goes into remission, you no longer need hospice care. Also, you always have the right to stop hospice care at any time for any reason. If you stop your hospice care, you‘ll get the type of Medicare coverage you had before you chose a hospice program (like treatment to cure the terminal illness). If you’re eligible, you can go back to hospice care at any time.
Advance Directives
Corpus Christi Hospice personnel recognize that all persons have a fundamental right to make decisions relating to their own medical treatment, including the right to accept or refuse treatment. It is our policy to encourage individuals and their families to participate in decisions regarding end-of-life care. Please speak with your case manager regarding advance directives such as Do Not Resuscitate orders, Living Wills, and Medical Power of Attorney.
24-Hour Availability
Because a patient’s journey is never predictable, hospice care members are always available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to address any concerns. With the understanding that no 2 days may be the same, Corpus Christi Hospice provides other Medicare-covered services needed to manage your pain and other symptoms related to your terminal illness, as recommended by your hospice team.
Pain Management
Hospice’s other name is pain management. Your case manager and the rest of our main team goal are to assess our client’s pain at admission and to achieve the highest alleviation for pain and promotion of comfort for the client during our care.
Utilizing a dynamic, high-quality and holistic approach to combat pain, our staff is specially trained not only to understand that pain perception is as different as people are, but also to create a pain alleviation regimen that is effective for each client’s unique circumstances. Corpus Christi Hospice goes beyond the traditional pain management approach, and includes innovative and sensitive therapies such as aroma therapy, music therapy or pet therapy.
Bowel Regimen Nausea or Vomiting
Sometimes, offensive tastes or smells are so powerful that patients become nauseated. Anxiety, a new drug, and constipation could play a part in nausea as well.
Nausea and vomiting make eating and drinking nearly impossible. Fortunately, there are several medicines that can help a queasy stomach. If nausea or vomiting occur, it’s important to tell your hospice nurse.
Nausea accompanied by vomiting can be a serious problem. Your loved one may lose important medicines as well as vital fluids. Consult your hospice nurse should nausea or vomiting occur.
Constipation
Constipation is a common problem for people with advanced illnesses. Pain medicines are often the main cause; however, pain, lack of activity, a low-fiber diet, poor fluid intake, and general weakness can contribute to constipation as well. Generally, your loved one should have at least one bowel movement every three days, even if not eating, and the stool should not be so hard it is difficult to pass.
Because constipation can cause stomachaches, cramps, and general discomfort, your hospice physician may prescribe a laxative, stool softener, and/or suppository. Contact your hospice nurse if constipation occurs.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is loose or watery stools passed three or more times a day. Causes include drug reactions, infection, anxiety, food sensitivity, and injury to the intestinal tract. Unless diarrhea continues for several days, or your loved one is getting weak from dehydration, it’s often best to let it run its course.
Equipment Safety
We strive to provide patients under our care with the safest equipment while receiving care with us. We abide by the Medical Device Reporting Act (MDR). Please contact your case manager in case you need assistance with equipment or in any malfunction.
Disasters and Emergencies in the Home
Keeping our patient safe in their home or setting of choice is our main priority. Upon admission, your case manager will assess your environmental safety which includes the safety of your home or setting of choice, and will assist you in the development of a safety plan in the event of an emergency in your home or a disaster, be it natural or man-made.
Medication Management, Biohazards and Disposal in the Home
-
Medication Management
Hospice is responsible for providing and managing your medications that relate to the terminal diagnosis. This includes: ordering, dispensing, and disposal of drugs. Potential abuse of drugs in the home is closely monitored. Please follow the instructions of your case manager for specific guidelines for your medication safety. Guidelines included are: medication storage, disposal, and dispensing. -
Biohazard Materials
Blood and body fluids will be disposed of according to regulations which include the utilization of specific techniques to ensure biohazard safety, i.e. double bagging and placing fluids in appropriate receptacles.