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Hospice Services in Florence, Marion, Darlington, and Dillon Counties, SC

We provide a wide variety of quality hospice services to meet your needs.

At TLC Your Way Hospice Services, we are dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of services to meet the unique needs of our patients and their families. Our experienced team is here to offer support, comfort, and expert care in a variety of areas.

Our Services:

Quality hospice services that prioritize your comfort and dignity.

Symptom Management for Terminal Illness

At TLC Your Way Hospice Services, we understand that navigating terminal illness is an incredibly challenging journey, and we are committed to providing comprehensive symptom management to ensure the highest quality of care for our patients. Our symptom management approach encompasses not only medical expertise but also extends to emotional, spiritual, and social support, recognizing the holistic nature of health.

Continuous Care

TLC Your Way Hospice Services believes in the power of continuous care to provide unwavering support to individuals facing life-limiting illnesses. Our commitment to compassionate care ensures that our patients and their families experience around-the-clock assistance. Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals collaborates to deliver personalized services, addressing the evolving needs of each individual throughout their journey.

General In-Patient Care

TLC Your Way Hospice Services is dedicated to providing exceptional in-patient care for individuals in need of specialized support during the challenging phases of a terminal illness. Our comfortable and nurturing in-patient facilities are designed to offer a serene environment healthcare professionals work tirelessly to manage symptoms, alleviate pain, and address the unique needs of each individual.

Patient Family Support & Education

At TLC Your Way Hospice Services, we recognize that the journey through a terminal illness is not only challenging for the patient but also deeply impactful for their families. Our commitment extends beyond medical care, encompassing robust patient-family support and education. We believe that well-informed families are better equipped to navigate the complexities of end-of-life care. Our dedicated team provides comprehensive education, guiding families on what to expect, offering emotional support, and facilitating open communication.

Social Work Services

Our team of social workers focuses on addressing the emotional, social, and practical challenges that often accompany end-of-life care. From facilitating difficult conversations to assisting with advanced care planning, our social work professionals are committed to enhancing the overall well-being of our patients, ensuring they receive personalized and holistic care during their journey with us.

Spiritual Counseling

For those seeking spiritual guidance and support, our pastoral services provide a comforting presence and spiritual counseling during times of illness.

Bereavement Services

Grieving is a natural process, and our grief and loss recovery services provide emotional support and counseling to individuals and families as they navigate the difficult journey of loss.

Volunteer Services

Our commitment to compassionate care extends to the heart of our community through our invaluable volunteer services. Our dedicated volunteers play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing terminal illnesses and their families. With unwavering dedication and a spirit of kindness, our volunteers offer companionship, emotional support, and assistance with daily tasks, creating a warm and supportive environment. Whether sitting bedside, providing a listening ear, or helping with practical needs, our volunteers contribute to the well-being of our patients and their families.

24-Hour On-Call Services

TLC Your Way Hospice Services is dedicated to providing unparalleled support with our 24-hour on-call services, ensuring that our patients and their families have access to assistance whenever it is needed most. Understanding the unpredictable nature of terminal illnesses, our team of healthcare professionals is available around the clock to address concerns, manage symptoms, and provide guidance.

Respite Care

Our respite care services offer temporary relief to primary caregivers, providing them with the opportunity to recharge and attend to personal needs while ensuring their loved ones continue to receive exceptional care in a safe and nurturing environment. Whether for a few hours or several days, our respite care allows caregivers the chance to rest, knowing that their family member is in the hands of our compassionate and highly trained professionals.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is essential for mobility maintenance to enhance the quality of life for our patients. Our physical therapists create customized plans to help patients maintain strength and function.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy helps individuals maintain independence in daily activities. We offer personalized occupational therapy services to enhance the quality of life for our patients.

Dietary Support

Nutrition plays a vital role in health, especially for individuals with chronic illnesses. Our dietary support services include personalized meal plans and nutritional counseling to optimize patients’ well-being.

Speech Pathology

Speech pathology is crucial for individuals with communication or swallowing difficulties. Our speech pathologists provide assessment and therapy to maintain these functions to improve quality of life for our patients.

The Following Diagnoses May Qualify:

Cancer
Heart Disease
Renal Failure
ALS/ MS
Liver Disease
Stroke
Alzheimer’s Disease/ Dementia
Parkinson’s Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) / Emphysema

Signs & Symptoms To Look For:

• Uncontrolled or increased pain
• Functional decline
• Increased dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
• Increased dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Uncontrolled nausea/ vomiting
• Oxygen dependence
• Progressive renal insufficiency
• Frequent hospitalizations
• Bedbound
• Profound weakness
• Progressive weight loss

Generalized Indicators of Terminal Prognosis

Multiple illnesses with no clear primary terminal diagnosis
Overall physical and functional decline
Frequent hospitalizations
Recurrent infections (pneumonia, UTI)
Decubitus ulcers
Loss of will to live
Dysphagia, aspiration risk
Not responding to nutritional support
Serum albumin <2.5 gm/dl
Dependent for most/all ADLs
Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) < 40%
Unexplained weight loss
BMI <22 kg/m2

Terminal Illness Care:

Here are a few of the chronic terminal illnesses that we provide hospice services for:

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Rapid Progression in the preceding 12 months:

Independent ambulation to wheelchair or bedbound
Normal to unintelligible speech
Normal to pureed diet
Independent ADLs to needing major assist with most or all ADLs

Must also have at least one of the following:

Critically impaired breathing capacity
Vital capacity <30% of normal
Significant dyspnea at rest
Supplemental O2 at rest
Declines artificial ventilation
Critical nutritional impairment
Oral intake insufficient
Continuing weight loss
Dehydration or hypovolemia
Declines artificial feeding
Life-threatening complications
Recurrent infections (pneumonia, sepsis)
Fevers after antibiotic therapy
Decubitus ulcers

Cancer

Malignancy with widespread, aggressive, or progressive disease
- Increasing symptoms
- Worsening lab values
- Progressing metastases
Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) < 60%
Declines further life-prolonging therapy
Ongoing physical and/or functional decline despite treatments
Hypercalcemia > 12
Cachexia and weight loss
Recurrent disease after treatment
Refractory pleural effusions, ascites
Symptoms of advancing disease
- Pain or Nausea
- Dyspnea
- Abdominal distension
- Enlarging masses
- Fatigue
End-organ failure (heart, kidneys, liver)
Decubitus ulcers

Heart Disease

Symptoms (dyspnea, angina, etc.) despite maximum medical management
Significant limitations in physical activity
Cyanosis
Edema
Cognitive decline, increased confusion
Bradycardia and/or tachycardia
Unintentional weight loss (“cardiac cachexia”)
NYHA Class IV CHF
EF <20%
Recurrent hospitalization for heart-related condition
History of cardiac arrest
Treatment resistant dysrhythmias
Cardiac-related syncope
Stroke due to cardiac embolism
Declines invasive cardiac procedures
Comorbidities limiting cardiac treatments
Low systolic blood pressure
Low serum sodium
Use of O2

Lung Disease

Disabling dyspnea at rest or minimal exertion
Little or no response to bronchodilators
Decreased functional capacity
“Bed to chair” existence
Fatigue
Recurrent pulmonary infections
Unintentional weight loss
Cyanosis
Use of O2—usually O2 dependent
Resting tachycardia >100/min
Cor pulmonale and right heart failure due to pulmonary disease
FEV1 <30%
O2 sats <88% on RA
pO2 <55mmHg
pCO2 >50mmHg

Alzheimer’s / Dementia

FAST Score >7
Speech limited to <6 words together
Can’t walk without assistance
Can’t sit up without support
Can’t hold head up without support
Can’t smile
Psychosis/severe behavior control issues
Dependent for ADLs
- Fecal and urinary incontinence
- Unable to bathe or dress independently
- Inability to ambulate independently
Not responding to nutritional support
Poor appetite, poor oral intake
Dysphagia, aspiration risk, pocketing food
Weight loss
Serum albumin <2.5 gm/dl
Comorbidities limiting life expectancy
Recurrent infections and/or organ failure
- Aspiration pneumonia
- UTI
- Sepsis
- Decubitus ulcers
- Renal failure from dehydration

HIV/AIDS

CD4 count < 25/mcl HIV RNA viral load >100,000 copies/ml
Wasting syndrome
CNS lymphoma
AIDS dementia complex
Current active substance abuse
Refractory Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC)
Multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Systemic lymphoma
Visceral Kaposi’s sarcoma
Renal failure and declining dialysis
Cryptosporidium infection
Toxoplasmosis
Chronic persistent diarrhea
Serum albumin < 2.5 Age > 50 years
No antiretroviral, chemotherapeutic or prophylactic drug therapy related to HIV
Congestive heart failure
Palliative Performance Scale (PPS)<=40%

Liver Disease

Refractory hepatic encephalopathy
Recurrent variceal bleeding
Refractory ascites despite maximum therapy
Bacterial peritonitis
Hepatorenal syndrome
- Elevated BUN/Cr
- Oliguria < 400 ml/day
- Urine sodium < 10 mEq/l
- Cirrhosis and ascites
Serum albumin < 2.5 g/dl INR > 1.5
Progressive malnutrition, weight loss
Muscle wasting and weakness
Fatigue, decreased endurance
Requires assist with ADLs
Continued active alcoholism
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) positive
Jaundice, scleral icterus

Parkinson’s Disease Management

Rapid progression in the preceding 12 months:

Independent ambulation to wheelchair or bedbound
Normal to unintelligible speech
Normal to pureed diet
Independent ADLs to needing major assist with most or all ADLs

Must also have at least one of the following:

Critically impaired breathing capacity
- Vital capacity < 30% of normal
- Significant dyspnea at rest
- Supplemental O2 at rest
- Declines artificial ventilation
Critical nutritional impairment
- Oral intake insufficient
- Continuing weight loss
- Dehydration or hypovolemia
- Declines artificial feeding
Life-threatening complications
- Recurrent infections (pneumonia, sepsis)
- Fevers after antibiotic therapy
- Decubitus ulcers

Multiple Sclerosis

Living with multiple sclerosis presents unique challenges. Our MS support services aim to improve mobility, manage symptoms, and provide emotional assistance to individuals and their families.

Renal Failure

Managing renal failure is a complex process. Our team offers specialized care to optimize kidney health and overall well-being.

Tel Us More About How We Can Help You.

Our Mission

TLC Your Way Hospice Services prioritizes our patients’ comfort and dignity. We are here to support patients and families throughout the end of life, with a care-driven focus on all aspects of quality of life.