A patient in rural Brazos County was given two months to live when she became a client of Hospice Brazos Valley. That was a year ago.

"The patient believes the care she has received from Hospice Brazos Valley is directly related to being able to survive," said Christine McDonald, community liaison for HBV.

The patient, whose name could not be released because of privacy concerns, is an example of several elements of hospice care.

First is that hospice certainly does not promise to make people live longer. But a physician's prognosis that a patient has less than six months to live, which is a requirement to be admitted to hospice care, is not the final word when it comes to end of life.

With November being National Hospice Month, HBV clinical director Tim Brown, bereavement coordinator Joan Serber and McDonald want the folks in their 17-county service area to become more familiar with what hospice does -- and doesn't -- do. Hospice's mission is to provide quality end-of-life care and support for family and friends, but it does more than that (see box on Page XX for some of Hospice Brazos Valley's other programs).

"In my 15 years of providing hospice services, I have encountered many misconceptions," Brown said. "One is that a patient has to be referred by a physician. Anyone can refer a patient, even the patient themselves. One we get a referral, we contact the patient's physician to determine eligibility."

In 2006, 855 of HBVreferrals were made by hospitals (32 percent); health-care agencies (12 percent); family, friend or patient (32 percent); and physicians (18 percent).

All HBV programs are administered at no cost to the patient and family.

"Some people believe that that they will lose their Social Security or part of their estate. Hospice is a right under the Social Security Act," Brown said. "Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance plans provide reimbursement for hospice care. HBV provides services to anyone regardless of race, age, diagnosis, faith or ability to pay."

Cancer is the No. 1 admission diagnosis, but hospice accepts people with many life-limiting illnesses, including congestive heart failure, neuromuscular diseases, stroke, emphysema and Alzheimer's disease.

"Patients do not have to be homebound," Brown said. "We encourage patients to live life to the fullest."

And contrary to some beliefs, hospice does not take over a patient's life.

"Our interdisciplinary team of nurses, social workers and counselors provides support, comfort and care in cooperation with the family physician," Brown said. "But the patient can refuse any intervention offered."

In 2006, HBV served 694 patients in 17 counties with an average daily census of 88. The demographics were equally divided between male and female. Age-wise, 6.6 percent were younger than 49, 42.8 percent 50-79 and 50.6 percent 80 or older.

Hospice programs go far beyond patient care, Serber said. A dozen outreach activities are provided by HBV, Hospice Brenham, and the newest location, Hospice La Grange.

"One of the hallmarks of Hospice Brazos Valley is its commitment to community bereavement and spiritual care needs," Serber said. "These free programs are not limited to family and friends of patients. Of the 2,500 people we served in 2006, nearly half were community members who did not use our hospice service."

To talk to an HBV staff member, call 821-2266 or go to the Web site at www.hospicebrazosvalley.org.

Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 W. 26th St. in Bryan, is a not-for-profit organization, but there are two other companies offering hospice care in Bryan-College Station. Odyssey Health Care (691-8400) and Southern Care (696-8880) are both in College Station.

• Jim Butler's e-mail address is jim.butler@theeagle.com.