Hospice is available to anyone with a prognosis of six months or less, as determined by two physicians. It’s covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans. 

Holistic care: Hospice addresses not only physical needs like pain management, but also emotional, spiritual, and social support. This means a team of professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, music therapists, and volunteers, work together to ensure comprehensive care for the patient and their family. 

Comfort-focused: The priority is to manage pain and other symptoms to ensure the patient is as comfortable as possible. This can involve medication, adjustments to the living environment, and other non-medical interventions. 

Patient-centered: You and your loved ones are in control. Hospice professionals work with you to create a personalized care plan that reflects your wishes and values. 

Family support: Hospice recognizes the impact of illness on families and offers support groups, counseling, and respite care for caregivers. 

• Reduced pain and suffering 
• Improved quality of life 
• Increased emotional and spiritual well-being 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Peace of mind knowing your wishes are respected 

Patients must require a higher level of care, directed toward pain or symptom control that cannot be feasibly provided in any other setting other than general inpatient care. Big Bend Hospice’s physicians follow Medicare guidelines to determine whether inpatient care is appropriate. GIP care is also appropriate when patients require frequent medication adjustments, observation, or other stabilizing treatment that cannot be done in the home setting. 

While both hospice inpatient units and hospitals aim to provide comfort and medical support, Big Bend Hospice’s inpatient teams focus solely on managing pain and symptoms related to terminal illness — with a strong emphasis on comfort and quality of life. In contrast, hospitals prioritize treating or curing medical conditions.

Inpatient care is focused on creating a warm and familiar homelike atmosphere to allow families to focus on what matters most – time together. Our patient rooms allow family members to stay with their loved ones. We encourage our patients to bring items that make them feel at home.

Services and care provided at Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House are covered in full by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. We work with families to determine any costs associated with an inpatient stay, including respite. Medicare benefits will cover up to five days of respite care if your hospice interdisciplinary team approves. 

Usually, there are no additional charges or co-payments billed to the patient. If charges do occur, such as room and board at the hospice house, thanks to the Big Bend Hospice Foundation and the generous support from our community – no patient is ever refused care based on the ability to pay.

We provide high-quality outcomes through a licensed, accredited team of compassionate professionals with different kinds of expertise to serve various needs. This helps patients and families make important decisions and receive outstanding care 24 hours daily. Teams and programs include:

• Hospice and palliative-trained physicians (experts in pain relief), nurse practitioners, APRNs, and certified nursing assistants
• Spiritual counselors (including a reflection room for prayer and meditation)
• Social workers and family support counselors
• Music therapists
• Trained volunteers
• Animal therapy volunteers

The FCCCC was designed to be a homelike atmosphere to allow families to focus on what matters most – quality of life and time together. There are eight thoughtfully decorated patient rooms that support family members staying with their loved ones in a warm, homelike, comforting environment. The unit features a reflection room, communal kitchen, and spaces for family gatherings.

There is a misconception that hospice is a place where people receive end-of-life care; however, hospice care is given wherever the need exists. Over 80% of hospice care takes place in the home, often where patients and families feel most comfortable.  

When our patient’s end-of-life care needs start to exceed a family’s caregiving capability, the FCCCC provides short-term care to help a patient manage pain and control acute or chronic symptoms that cannot be managed at home.  

No, the FCCCC is available to provide hospice care to all eligible patients whether those individuals come from home, a facility, or another hospital. A physician must order general inpatient care (GIP) for patients to be eligible for admission to the FCCCC. 

Big Bend Hospice staffs the FCCCC with hospice-trained medical and support professionals. These staff members compassionately care for individuals who face serious symptoms that cannot be managed at home and support their families in this tranquil setting, we provide support for:

• Pain and other symptoms that require expert care around the clock. 
• Patients’ and families’ emotional, spiritual, and practical needs. 
• Plans for transitions in care depending on each situation. 

Services and care provided at the First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care are covered in full by Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurances. We work with families to determine any costs associated with a general inpatient stay.

Usually, there are no additional charges or co-payments billed to the patient. If charges do occur, thanks to the Big Bend Hospice Foundation and generous support from our community – no patient is ever refused care based on ability to pay.