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Azalea Hospice

Hospice for Heart Failure · Athens, TX

Congestive Heart Failure hospice care in Athens, Texas

Advanced heart failure means more hospital trips and harder breathing. Hospice manages symptoms at home so the ER isn't the only option. Azalea serves families across Henderson County — in Athens and the surrounding communities — with the same team, the same response time, and the same 24/7 nurse line.

We come to you · Free · 100% covered by Medicare

Henderson County sits at the southwestern edge of Azalea's service area, centered on Athens — the gateway to Lake Palestine and Cedar Creek Lake. The county's growing retirement population, drawn by its lakes and rural character, represents a significant and underserved hospice market. Azalea serves families in Athens, Malakoff, Mabank, and Gun Barrel City, coordinating with UT Health Athens and the patient's attending physician.

Athens is approximately 35 miles southwest of Tyler on US-175. For families facing congestive heart failure, that means a hospice nurse who knows the roads, coordinates with local hospitals like UT Health Athens and Henderson County Medical facilities, and answers the phone at 2 a.m.

Signs it may be time for congestive heart failure hospice

Any of these patterns is worth a conversation. Several together strongly suggest hospice could help now:

  • Shortness of breath at rest or with minimal activity (NYHA Class IV)
  • Two or more hospitalizations for heart failure in the past six months
  • Symptoms continue despite optimal medications
  • Swelling, fatigue, and chest discomfort that limit daily life
  • Ejection fraction of 20% or lower (when known)
  • Unable to tolerate or no longer a candidate for further procedures

What hospice care for congestive heart failure includes

Medication management to ease breathing and reduce fluid overload
Oxygen and equipment delivered to the home
A plan to manage breathlessness episodes without a 911 call
Daily-weight and symptom coaching for the family
24/7 on-call nurse who knows the patient's history

Questions Athens families ask

Will hospice stop my heart medications?

No. We continue medications that keep the patient comfortable — many heart-failure drugs also relieve symptoms. We stop only those aimed purely at curing or prolonging that no longer help comfort, and always in conversation with the family.

What do we do during a breathing crisis?

Call us first, any hour. We provide medications and a clear plan to ease breathlessness at home. Most heart-failure crises can be managed without an ER trip when hospice is involved.

What does it cost in Athens?

For Medicare-eligible patients: nothing. Medicare covers 100% of hospice — nursing, medications, equipment, chaplain, social work, and bereavement support. No copay, no deductible. See the cost calculator →

Accreditations & certifications

CMS

Medicare-Certified

CMS Provider · NPI #1700460789

TX

Texas-Licensed

DSHS HCSSA #020708

CHAP Accredited — Community Health Accreditation Partner

CHAP Accredited

Independent accreditation

Related reading

Full guide: hospice for congestive heart failure

Our complete East Texas guide to congestive heart failure hospice care.

Hospice in Athens & Henderson County

How Azalea serves families across Henderson County.

Take the hospice eligibility quiz

8 questions to clarify whether it might be time.

What Medicare covers

The full benefit, in plain language.

Talk to a nurse in Athens

A real conversation with a real person — no pressure, no obligation. We'll help you think through whether hospice is right, and what it would look like.

Call (903) 470-1994
Call (903) 470-1994Home visit