Hospice
The Peterson Hospice Difference
We are the only Hospice agency in the Hill Country to receive a 5-Star Rating from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid – here’s why:
- Leadership in medication delivery: We participated in the research leading to the usage of the Macy catheter. This catheter allows individuals who are unable to swallow to receive symptom-relieving medications.
- Team approach: Every week, all members of our team come together to discuss each individual’s care. Our team includes a medical director, nurses, certified nurse aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers.
- Collaborative care: We partner with primary care doctors, oncologists, and radiation oncology to understand your medical history and communicate with them regarding your health. We also work with pathologists and radiologists to provide efficient and precise diagnosis.
- Quick medication delivery: We order medications from our mobile devices before leaving your home or bedside, which makes same- or next-day delivery possible.
- Direct admissions to hospital: Our goal is to care for you in the setting of your choice. If we are unable to manage your symptoms at home, we can coordinate the hospital admissions process for you so you don’t have to call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency department.
- 24/7 access to emergency care: As part of Peterson Health, we are the area’s only hospice care program that has around-the-clock, daily access to emergency medications.
We provide around-the-clock, daily inpatient and outpatient care to relieve your symptoms. We partner with you to develop a care plan, which takes into account your wishes and goals and maps out how we’re going to achieve them. We also offer support for you and your loved ones to help you navigate the toughest transition of your lives. From the decision to begin hospice care to mourning the death of a loved one, we are here for you.
Our compassionate hospice care is right where you need it – in the comfort of your own home. We serve eight counties in the Texas Hill Country, including:
- Gillespie
- Kendall
- Kerr
- Kimble
- Edwards
- Bandera
- Medina
- Real
Symptom Relief
Whatever your symptoms are, we are equipped to treat them, and we always try to use the most minimally invasive approaches first. We deliver fluids subcutaneously, or under the skin, instead of intravenously (IV) whenever we can.
While we strive to keep you in the care setting of your choice, some symptoms require stronger medications that only a hospital can provide. If you need advanced symptom relief, we’ll transfer you to the hospital to get you the care you need.
Supportive Care
At Peterson, we believe that your mind, body and spirit play important roles in your comfort and wellbeing. We take a holistic approach to hospice care and surround you and your loved ones during all stages of your care.
Supportive care options include:
- Psychological support including anticipatory grief assessment and bereavement support for you and your loved ones from a licensed counselor
- Spiritual support from our chaplains who are trained specifically in hospice care, or we will reach out to your faith community to communicate your wishes regarding prayer and visits
- Social support for you and your loved ones through our monthly Caregivers Support Group and Bereavement Support Group
- Nutrition counseling with a Peterson dietitian to make sure you’re getting the nourishment you need
- Physical therapy for caretakers who need training on how to transfer a patient safely to or from areas of your home or car
- Massage therapy from a certified massage therapist
- Alternative therapies such as music therapy and pet therapy
Pet Peace of Mind Program
We recognize that your pets are members of your family and that you worry about who will look after them when you’re not there. This concern shouldn’t keep you from getting the care you need. We have a team of volunteers who can visit your home to tend to your pet while you’re receiving care. If you need long-term arrangements, they can also assist with rehoming your pet.
Discharge planning
Sometimes individuals leave hospice for different reasons, such as showing improvement or choosing to pursue treatment again. If you show improvement, we will work with you to develop a plan for discharging you safely while maintaining your comfort.
If you decide to restart treatment for a condition, then we’ll contact your doctor. To ensure that you have continuous care, we’ll wait to discharge you until you see your doctor.
Safety and security measures
It’s normal to have concerns about welcoming care specialists whom you don’t know into your home, especially during such a stressful time. We take every precaution to ensure your and your family’s safety:
- Pre-visit phone calls: Before each visit, we will communicate our arrival time and what you can expect. Before your in-home consultation, we will call you to introduce ourselves.
- Background checks: We perform background checks before hiring employees to ensure that only the most trustworthy individuals are caring for you.
- Uniforms and badges: Each member of our clinical staff is identifiable by wearing a uniform with a Peterson Health logo. Every employee, including non-clinical staff, wears a badge with a Peterson Health logo and photo identification.