You may want to consider Hospice of Texas if:
- You have a disease or illness with a prognosis of six months or less.
- You would like to spend your remaining life as comfortably as possible in your own home.
- Treatment that attempts to cure the disease or prolong your life has become more of a burden than a benefit to you.
- You want your family and friends’ participation in your care.
- You want your loved one who has a terminal illness to pass comfortably at home.
Some people who may benefit from Hospice of Texas do not receive it for a variety of reasons. Many people, including some health professionals, simply do not know much about hospice care. It can be difficult for a doctor to acknowledge that a person is reaching the final stages of a terminal illness and to introduce the concept of hospice services. It can also be difficult for you and your family to accept that the end of life is near; some families choose to pursue aggressive treatment until the end.
In 1982, the Medicare Hospice Benefit legislation was passed, which pioneered the model for hospice programs in the United States. Eligibility for our hospice services, as established by Medicaid, is based on two criteria:
- Your condition is not considered curable (terminal illness).
- Your physician has indicated that your life expectancy is six months or less if your illness runs its normal course. A form must be signed by your primary physician as well as the medical director or physician member of Hospice of Texas.
