01
Registered nurse case manager
One nurse who knows your family and visits on a set schedule.
MedicareVol. 88 · BrownwoodThe Summer Issue
The Pecan Bayou Journal · Hospice care since 1988
Every life here has a story worth finishing well.
Hospice care at home across five counties of the Texas heartland, from Lake Brownwood cabins to ranch houses outside San Saba. Comfort for the patient, steady help for the family.
This issue
What families tell us mattered most
02
Night and weekend nurse
A nurse answers every call and comes out when needed.
24/7
03
Bereavement support
Calls, letters, visits and a grief group on Tuesday evenings.
13 monthsFrom the editor's desk
We've been writing these chapters with families for thirty-seven years.
Every family we serve has a story: a pecan orchard planted in 1952, a fifty-year marriage that began at a dance hall in Bangs, a granddaughter who flew home from Germany to say goodbye. Our job is to make sure the last chapter is a good one.
That means pain under control, breath that comes easier, and a family that understands what's happening and knows who to call. It also means sitting down long enough to hear the story.
— Lynette Garza, RN, CHPN, Executive Director
Ratings & recognition · sample
- Readers’ Choice · Best Senior Care
- Community Choice Awards · Winner
- Regional Business Journal · Top Workplaces
- County Chamber · Small Business of the Year
- Family Caregiver Alliance · Partner
- Local Hospital System · Preferred Partner
Photo tour
Portraits from the heartland
Sample family reviews
Letters to the editor
Wanda sat with Daddy for three afternoons and recorded his stories about the pecan orchard. The little book she printed is the most precious thing we own.
We live twelve miles of gravel past Zephyr. Marcus came out at 2 a.m. in a thunderstorm and never once complained.
Mama was a Church of Christ woman all her life. The chaplain sang with her a cappella, just the way she liked it.
Elena explained Medicaid to my father in Spanish and got everything filed in a week. He finally relaxed.
Dr. Childers came to the house twice and explained exactly what was happening. We were scared, and then we weren't.
The volunteer fiddler played 'Faded Love' for Grandpa. He tapped his hand on the blanket the whole time.
They held a pinning ceremony for my husband, a Vietnam veteran, in our living room. He cried, and so did we.
A year later I'm still going to the Tuesday group. Those people are family now.
For families
For the family
Caring for someone at home is the hardest job there is. Here's how we help.
- 01
A nurse any hour
Day or night, a hospice nurse answers and comes out if needed.
- 02
The plan on the fridge
Medicines, visit days and numbers, written in plain words.
- 03
Time to rest
Volunteers for an afternoon, respite stays for a few nights.
- 04
What to expect
Our nurses gently explain the changes that come near the end.
Insurance & payment
Paying for hospice
Most families owe nothing. Our business office checks every plan before care begins.
Medicare
The Medicare hospice benefit covers the team, medicines, supplies and equipment for the hospice diagnosis, usually at no cost.
Texas Medicaid
Covers hospice. If your loved one lives in a nursing home on Medicaid, room and board stays covered.
VA benefits
Veterans enrolled in VA health care are eligible. We coordinate with the VA for you.
Private insurance
Most plans include hospice. We'll verify yours.
- 1988serving the Texas heartland
- 5counties, every back road
- 24/7a hospice nurse answers
- 13 mo.of grief support for families
Our team
The people behind the care
Lynette Garza, RN, CHPN
Executive Director
Dr. Raymond Childers
Hospice Medical Director
Stephanie Vaughn, RN
Director of Nursing
Rev. Thomas Okafor
Chaplain
Where we care
Wherever they call home
Hospice follows the person: same team, same benefit, any setting.
01
At home
Most patients stay in their own bed. We bring the equipment, medicines and team.
- Equipment delivered
- Scheduled visits
- 24/7 phone line
02
On the ranch
Long driveways and cattle guards don't slow us down. Give us directions and we'll be there.
- Rural visits
- Night calls
- Same team
03
In assisted living
We add hospice nursing, aides, chaplain and social work to the care already in place.
- Works with staff
- Family meetings
- Same benefit
04
In a nursing home
Our team joins nursing home staff to focus on comfort. Room and board is billed separately.
- Comfort plan
- Aide visits
- Family support
Activities & dining
This month at Pecan Bayou
Gatherings for families, volunteers and anyone carrying grief. All are free and open to the community.
Tue
- Grief support group, 6:30 p.m., family room
Wed
- Volunteer training, part 1 of 4
Thu
- Caregiver coffee: what to expect near the end
Sat
- Life story workshop for families
1st Mon
- Veterans' coffee and conversation
2nd Sat
- Children's grief day at Riverside Park
3rd Thu
- Advance-directive help night with Elena
Last Sun
- Hymn sing in the chapel corner
Contact
On Austin Avenue
- 1300 Austin Avenue
Brownwood, TX
Park in front of our building on Austin Avenue or in the side lot. The side door opens into our family room and is always level. - (325) 555-0164
- Text us
- hello@pecanbayouhospice.example
- Pecan Bayou Hospice
Reaching us
- Office, Mon – Fri8a – 5p
- Hospice nurse on call24 hours a day
- Admissions7 days a week
Day or night, the same number reaches a hospice nurse who lives in this part of Texas.
Let's write the next page together.
Call or text with any question. A hospice nurse will answer, and nothing happens until you're ready.