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Frequently Asked Questions

What is hospice care?

It’s the model for quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less. It’s a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support tailored to the person’s needs and wishes.

What is palliative care?

This is a medical specialty that focuses on the relief of pain, stress and other debilitating symptoms of serious illness. The goal is to relieve suffering and provide the best possible quality of life for patients and their families.

What is Faith Presbyterian Hospice?

We are a nonprofit, faith-based hospice program serving Dallas and 13 surrounding counties. While our staff serves patients in their homes, nursing homes, assisted living communities and hospitals, our operations office is located at 12477 Merit Drive, Dallas, TX 75251. Founded in 2003, we are part of the Forefront Living organization, including Grace Presbyterian Village and Presbyterian Village North.

Faith Presbyterian Hospice services the following 13 counties: Cooke, Grayson, Fannin, Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Tarrant, Johnson, Dallas, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis.

What gave Faith its unique character?

In December of 2002, Reverend Dr. Christa K. Dixon, mother of Godwin Dixon, Former President and CEO of Forefront Living, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Godwin had, for years, been working to bring a higher level of hospice care to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and the situation with his mom brought new urgency to the task. Now seeing the hospice experience from both sides — as health care professional and family member — it became clear that so much more could be added to improve this life passage. The innovations born from the personal care of Dr. Dixon came to provide a model for better, more complete hospice care:

  • The granting of special requests whenever possible
  • The use of holistic therapies for more immediate relief of discomforts
  • A greater emphasis on companionship, music and spiritual support
  • The creation of a videotaped life review

These innovations, combined with the very best practices in hospice care, formed the foundation for Faith Presbyterian Hospice, which launched in the fall of 2003.

What services are provided?

Our professionally trained team offers a variety of services to meet the individual needs of the patient. Medicare sets the basic standard of hospice services which include in-home nursing care, assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and grooming, social work services for counseling and support, spiritual support, volunteer services, payment of all medications related to the terminal illness and any necessary medical equipment. While most programs do a fine job of meeting these minimal requirements, Faith Hospice goes far above and beyond these basic steps to meet the needs of the patient.

How is Faith Presbyterian Hospice different?

We believe that each moment matters. We encourage patients and their families to get out and enjoy life to the best of their abilities. One way of achieving this is through our Faithful Wish Program in which we grant wishes for our patients who want to realize their dreams. Being a nonprofit agency allows us to fund-raise for monies to pay for these wishes. Others are donated by well-wishers in the community. Some are beautiful in their simplicity (such as a subscription to the newspaper) to very complex (such as flying an airplane one more time.) If a patient has a dream, our dedicated staff will do everything we can to see that it happens. We also offer videotaped life reviews and audiotaped accounts of the patient’s life as seen through the eyes of their loved ones through our Faithful Presence program.

Why should I choose Faith Presbyterian Hospice?

In addition to the standard hospice benefit, Faith offers many additional services that are not offered by other programs in the area and are not required by Medicare. We employ a licensed, Certified Music Therapist to provide comfort, joy and peace to our patients. We also have Certified Massage Therapists to provide a gentle, healing touch and soothing relaxation. Reiki Therapy is available from Certified Therapists in combination with our clinical and pharmaceutical interventions. Our pet therapy program, titled Faithful Paws, provides comfort and relaxation to those who may be missing a beloved pet or who simply love animals. Some pets are available for an extended stay at the patient’s and family’s request. Faith Presbyterian Hospice works continuously to discover new and innovative ways to improve quality of life and bring the highest levels of comfort possible.

How is hospice funded?

Medicare Part A covers the hospice benefit 100% — charges are never applied to the patient or family. Medicaid mirrors this benefit and covers hospice services at 100%. Many private insurance programs also offer a hospice benefit that covers all or part of the expenses. Faith also accepts unfunded patients on a case-by-case basis. Our ultimate goal is to have reserved funds so that outstanding hospice care is available to all who need it regardless of their ability to pay.

How can I donate or volunteer at Faith Presbyterian Hospice?

Click here to learn more about donating.

Click here to learn more about volunteering.

Reach Out


If you’d like to learn more about Faith Presbyterian Hospice, fill out this form and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible. If you’d like to speak to someone right away, please call us at 1-800-724-6386.

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