We’re actively involved in supporting our community with education, resources, grief support, life celebrations and advocacy. Learn more about our available programs and resources.
Children living in the homes of Hospice of South Texas patients may become members of the Teddy Bear Club. Once in the club, the children receive a cuddly teddy bear with a heart sewn on the bear’s t-shirt made out of an article of clothing belonging to their loved one. A certificate of membership accompanies each bear with information on grief and how to contact us for support if needed. We are hoping that the bears will comfort these children for many years to come.
Hospice of South Texas is able to operate a Teddy Bear Club through donations made to the Bereavement Department and by the wonderful volunteers who cut and sew on the fabric hearts.
Hospice of South Texas Prayer Shawl Ministry provides cozy comfort to our patients. Beautiful, soft and cuddly prayer shawls are knitted or crocheted by our Hospice of South Texas volunteers and are delivered to our hospice patients by members of their care team. Each shawl is prayed over and carefully selected for just the right size, color and texture. These prayer shawls bring comfort and warm the body and soul.
Pathways is an educational supportive program for those living with advanced chronic illness. Pathways participants actively learn more about the choices they have and ways to deal with the issues that advanced or chronic illness brings. Pathways offers life-enhancing education on such topics as: Communication, Defining Quality of Life, Coping Strategies, Advance Directives, as well as Emotional, Spiritual and Practical Issues. Pathways does not involve medical care or medical advice.
The Shepherds’ Watch ministry is a collaborative partnership between faith communities and Hospice of South Texas. The ministries purpose is to provide education, to provide timely identification of members in need of support and to guide them to the appropriate resources at the most beneficial time.
Comfort Touch is a form of gentle acupressure massage that meets the special physical and emotional needs of the elderly and the ill. Its primary intention is to provide comfort through techniques that promote deep relaxation and relief from pain. Hospice of South Texas’ patient volunteers have been trained and are providing this palliative service to our patients.
Hospice of South Texas’ Goodwill Ambassadors is a special group of volunteers whose mission is to improve resident’s quality of life in facilities. This group visit area nursing homes, assisted living facilities and personal care homes to provide assistance with serving at meal time, playing games, calling bingo, arts n crafts, singing and small clothing repairs.
Hospice of South Texas provides many additional programs and services for the community. These programs are staffed with our employees and volunteers with additional funding provided by your community support.
Community Education
Hospice of South Texas recognizes the need for support extended to medical personnel who care for terminally ill patients on a regular basis.
Hospice employees are experts in many areas associated with the dying process and are available to share their knowledge with your team members.
Educational programs offered by Hospice of South Texas include but are not limited to:
- Hospice 101 – How Hospice Works
- Pain Management
- Symptom Management
- Grief and Loss
- Hospice in the Nursing Home
- Advance Directives
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Hospice
- Perspectives On Dying and End of Life Issues: Dying Well
- The Art of Listening: Fostering A Comforting Presence
- Care of the Caregiver
- Religious Diversity: Customs of Death and Dying
- Caring for Culturally Diverse Patients
- Spiritual Care of The Dying
- Hospice Admission Criteria & Diagnosis Specific Criteria
- The Hospice Volunteer
Please contact the Hospice of South Texas Advancement Department for more information at Victoria: 361.572.4300 or Hallettsville: 361.798.2077.
Bereavement Library
Hospice of South Texas has an on-site bereavement library where individuals dealing with bereavement and grief can find pertinent, relative information to assist them. The library is stocked with written, audio, and visual materials, devoted to bereavement and the process of grief for adults, teens and children in both English and Spanish. The library resources are available to all patients, family members, care givers, staff, volunteers and other community groups and agencies which would benefit from the library support.
Contact Hospice of South Texas Bereavement Department for more information at Victoria: 361.572.4300, Hallettsville: 361.798.2077, or email hospice@hospice-vic.org.
This library was made possible by a grant from the M.G. and Lillie A. Johnson Foundation.