OUR SUPPORT
You and your family members are the most important part of the team. We value strong, mutually beneficial relationships with our referral sources, employees, clients and their families and the community at large.
MEET OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS
Medical Director Services
To achieve the highest standard of care, our physicians work closely with the hospice nursing staff and primary physicians to ensure that each patient’s medical and emotional needs are met. The entire hospice care team works collaboratively to addresses every need a patient and his or her family may have.
Hospice Nursing & Case Management
Hospice nurses are Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) that are highly trained to administer care to patients according to physician’s directives. They are responsible for monitoring the patient’s condition, relaying information back to the physician and recommending changes in care to better meet the patient’s needs. Additionally, hospice nurses act as case managers and communicate with the rest of the hospice care team to refer supplementary services that may further help the patient and their family. Patients and families can look to their hospice nurse for support, education and as a direct line of contact to the rest of the hospice care team.
Hospice Aide
In addition to hospice nurses, our patients will also receive care from hospice aides. These team members act as a secondary set of eyes and ears, assisting with personal hygiene, activities of daily living, light household chores, and preparing simple meals.
Social Worker Support & Counseling
Social workers are assigned to each patient and their family to gain insight into treatment and care expectations. In addition, it is the duty of the social worker to learn about the patient and act as an advocate on their behalf. The social worker provides advice and counsels, and also is the go-to resource for connecting patients and families with helpful programs and services like ‘meals on wheels‘.
Homemakers
To further extend our commitment to personalized care, our patients also have access to a homemaker, who will help patients and families with household chores (that do not require climbing or lifting) like shopping, running errands, changing bed sheets and laundering clothes.
Spiritual Bereavement & Grief Counseling
Per the request of a patient, caregiver or family member(s), Corpus Christi Hospice provides non-denominational spiritual assistance and counseling. We appreciate all types of beliefs, and do not discriminate against faith, religion or lifestyle. Our spiritual counselors help patients and their loved ones process emotions, beliefs and questions regarding the end-of-life.
Dietitians
Some patients will experience loss of appetite, nausea and weight-loss as a result of their life limiting illness. Our dietitians will work closely with patients and their family members to improve diet, decrease nausea and maintain a physical condition that is conducive to comfort.
Volunteer Services
In addition to our certified staff of hospice care specialists, Corpus Christi Hospice works with volunteers who provide additional support to help patients remain safely independent if they so choose. Volunteers also support caretakers by assisting with responsibilities so that the caretaker can step away to recharge or run errands. In many cases, our volunteers become a trusted friend and companion to patients and families.
Medical Equipment, Supplies & Medication
Whether a patient receives home care or inpatient care, Corpus Christi Hospice provides the necessary medical equipment like wheelchairs, beds and walkers. We provide supplies i.e., catheters, undergarments, and personal protective equipment. Medications and drugs for symptom control or pain relief (may need to pay a small co-payment) are provided to preserve comfort and sustain the high standard of care that our team stands by.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOSPICE SERVICES
Routine Home Care
Majority of patients choose to remain at home during their comfort care. Routine home care includes a team of hospice nurses, medical personal care assistants, social workers, non-medical homemakers and others, devoted to helping patients maintain independence as they receive quality treatment for their life limiting illness wherever they may reside.
Respite Care
Often, a family member will choose to act as a patient’s primary caregiver. These individuals attend to the patient’s care around the clock and can struggle with isolation, depression and exhaustion. Respite care services provide volunteers who become trusted friends to take over responsibilities and allow the caretaker time away to “recharge.” Inpatient respite care is given in a Medicare-approved facility (like a hospice inpatient facility, hospital, or nursing home). Your hospice provider will arrange this for you. You can stay up to 5 days each time you get respite care. You can get respite care more than once, but it can only be provided on an occasional basis.
General Inpatient Care
When a patient’s symptoms become too severe to manage at home, it is recommended that they be admitted into general inpatient care. Here, a patient benefits from the assessment of an on-site team of medical professionals who will deliver a more aggressive schedule of treatments to reduce pain and symptoms, allowing the patient to return home once his or her condition has been regulated.
Continuous Care
If a patient develops physical or emotional symptoms that aren’t easily managed with routine care, continuous care may be an option. Continuous care provides more intense care in the patient’s home environment. A nurse and/or a home health aide will remain in the patient’s home environment for a minimum of 8 hours, and up to 24 hours, per day to administer medications, treatments, and support until the symptoms are under control. Some examples of symptoms requiring continuous care would be unrelieved pain, severe nausea and vomiting, severe shortness of breath, anxiety or panic attacks, or a breakdown in the primary caregiver support system. Continuous care is considered a short-term level of care and is reevaluated every 24 hours.