Governor, county judge designate special month

In recognition of one of the fastest growing and most compassionate developments in health care, Gov. Rick Perry and Lampasas County Judge Wayne Boultinghouse have designated November as "Home Care and Hospice Month."

"Home care offers many disabled, elderly and chronically ill the opportunity to live independently, while still receiving the quality health care they need," said the governor. "Hospice care blends the professional care of a hospital setting with the warmth and familiarity of a home environment. Hospice care addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their families."

Anita Bradberry, executive director of Texas Association for Home Care, said, "We are honored that Gov. Perry, along with dozens of local officials from all over Texas, has recognized the hard-working people of homecare and hospice who give comfort to our loved ones when they are in need."

The tremendous growth in home care represents one of the most positive developments in medical care today: the growing use of inhome care for individuals recovering from illness or injury, for disabled individuals continuing with their lives and for those who choose to spend their final days at home, said Ms. Bradberry.

Over 4,000 licensed home and community support agencies in Texas provide services ranging from assistance with personal care to high-tech therapies. The individual can choose to either stay with family or to maintain a home of their own.

Among the types of services available through home care agencies are:

• home health services that include skilled and supportive care to include nursing; physical, occupational and speech-language therapies; medical social work; home health aides; and nutritional counseling.

• hospice, a philosophy of care that provides comfort for persons on the last phases of a terminal illness so they can live as comfortably as possible, whether at home or in a health-care facility. Services include medical care, nursing, home health aide, social services, spiritual care, bereavement services, volunteer services and other appropriate counseling. Families also receive support through hospice.

• Personal assistance services, to include routine, ongoing support services such as assistance with self-administered medications, bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, meal preparation, toileting and ambulation.

To contact the nearest home care agency, phone the Texas Association for Home Care at (800) 800- 8893.