Edinburg hospice facility aims to ease end of life
By Dan Santella, The Monitor, McAllen, Texas | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
If hospice care had been available, his father's final days and their family's ability to navigate that time would have been enhanced, Martinez said.
"Dad would have died peaceful and comfortable and pain free at home," he said.
Additionally, the family would have enjoyed closer and more frequent contact with medical professionals. They would have been made aware of "the daily progression of the terminal illness, so that we could be prepared for the death," Martinez said.
"Instead we were just 'winging it' as each and every day went by, dealing with each medical crisis as best we could," he said.
Martinez currently works in business development for
"There is routine home care, respite care, general inpatient care, and continuous care," Tawil said via email. "We can provide all."
He described the facility as one "where both patients and family members can find quality care and comfort."
In addition to Tawil, the center's ownership group also includes
The hospice center includes 18 patient suites, with about 70 percent of the rooms typically occupied, Tawil said. Centered on a lake, the 14,500-square-foot facility is ready to add rooms and eventually surround the water. Since November, the facility has worked with approximately 90 patients, Tawil said.
"The end of life and terminal illness can place stress on a patient and their family," Tawil said via email. "Often patients suffer from medical conditions that can require heightened care in order to achieve comfort and stability as life and/or disease progresses."
"And for the family, we provide care by the comfort we bring to them, knowing their loved one is peaceful and comfortable and free of pain," Martinez said.
Patients' family members are free to visit anytime and also have the opportunity to sleep, shower and wash their clothes on-site, Martinez said.
Tawil said that the high majority of
Challenges remain for
"Most people equate hospice with death," he said. "Hospice respects life and strives to make life dignified and pain free."
Tawil said that
"We were not just another client; we were treated like family," she said. "It had truly made an impression on me and it was at this point that I had decided that I also wanted to help other people in the same situation and be a part of the
Tawil said that the facility is looking for volunteers. Interested parties can call (956) 283-1550.
"Volunteers need be nothing other than caring," he said.
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