A private duty nurse is a licensed healthcare professional who provides one-on-one nursing care and support to a patient, often in their home or in a healthcare facility. Unlike nurses in hospitals or clinics who care for multiple patients, private duty nurses focus exclusively on the needs of a single individual, tailoring their care to the patient’s specific health requirements. Private duty nurses may work independently and their services are typically paid for privately rather than being covered by insurance.

This type of care is especially helpful for individuals with dementia, chronic illness, or complex medical needs who benefit from consistent, personalized support at home.

The name Going Home has a two-fold meaning:

• After my elderly father took a bad fall resulting in a hospitalization and transfer to a rehab facility, his consistent quote was “I just want to go home.” When Dad did not make progress at rehab and was suffering quite a bit, we honored his request to take him home under the care of hospice. Dad spent his final months of life surrounded by family and friends in the comfort of his own home.

• In a spiritual context, “going home” often symbolizes a place of peace and acceptance as an earthly life ends and a new eternal life begins.

I work alongside the hospice team to provide an additional layer of support for the family. For example, if a family is feeling overwhelmed despite hospice in place, then I can step in to help problem-solve and provide extra guidance and support.

I do not replace the hospice nurse but rather work side-by-side with the nurse. Think of it as linking arms with the nurse and your family to create an optimal environment.

My role through private duty nursing is to help bridge the gap between hospice visits—offering more consistent guidance, hands-on care, and support in the home.

I am hired directly by the family as a private-duty, registered nurse. My role is to be an additional member of the healthcare team, providing tailored support to meet the needs of both the family and the loved one receiving hospice care.

This allows me to stay focused entirely on your family’s needs, whether you are navigating dementia, chronic illness, or end-of-life care.

No, I do not replace hospice. My role is to complement hospice care by offering extra support and services.

I fill the gaps that may exist between the hospice team and the family therefore giving peace of mind that your loved one is well taken care of and family members are getting the support they need.

The key difference between private duty nursing and hospice is the personalized, one-on-one attention I provide. I have the time to offer hands-on care and support which can significantly enhance the quality of care and overall experience during this sacred time.

I also provide ongoing guidance and education for families—helping you understand what to expect, how to respond, and how to care for your loved one with confidence at home.

Please see the Service Tab for a more detailed explanation of each service.

• Prepare the home for a hospice setting

• Perform bedside nursing care

• Provide hands-on training for basic nursing skills

• Educate families on important end-of-life topics

• Troubleshoot changes or challenges in care

• Organize and manage medications

• Act as a liaison and advocate with hospice teams

• Provide respite care for family members

• Offer on-call support when death is imminent

• Assist with advance directives

• Provide guidance with funeral planning

• Support patients with dementia through routine-based care and safety guidance

• Provide ongoing care and monitoring for chronic or serious illness

• Offer private duty nursing support beyond hospice, including earlier stages of care at home

Yes. I personally cared for my father who had Alzheimer’s and my mother-in-law who had Lewy Bodies Dementia with Parkinson’s disease. We worked through many challenging situations to keep our loved ones safe and provided an optimal quality of life for them.

This personal experience, combined with my professional background, allows me to guide families through the unique challenges that come with dementia care at home.

Many families reach out when they begin to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do next.

This could be after a new diagnosis, during changes in a loved one’s condition, or when care needs become more complex.

Private duty nursing can begin earlier than hospice and can provide guidance through dementia, chronic illness, or ongoing care at home.

Yes.

I often work with families before hospice is needed, helping them manage care at home and prepare for what may come next.

This is especially helpful for those navigating dementia or chronic illness where care needs gradually increase over time.

Care is flexible and based on your family’s needs.

Some families need just a few hours of guidance each week, while others benefit from more consistent, ongoing support.

Together, we create a plan that fits your situation and can adjust as needs change.

I provide both. I do not employ caregivers but work well with caregivers (independent contractors or agency). I assist in a supervisory role by creating a high-quality team of caregivers by following orientation protocols for onboarding and training.

In addition to private duty nursing, I support families and caregivers by teaching skills and health-related concepts,  answering questions, and helping everyone feel more confident in providing care.

My goal is to make sure you can trust the healthcare team in place. 

Yes.

I have both personal and professional experience caring for individuals with dementia and understand the unique challenges families face.

I provide guidance, structure, and support to help create a safer, calmer environment at home.

In some cases, yes.

If it is appropriate for your loved one and welcomed by the family, I may bring my therapy dog, Pearl, to visits.

Her calm and gentle presence can provide comfort, connection, and emotional support—especially for individuals experiencing dementia, anxiety, or distress.

I serve families in the San Antonio area and surrounding communities.

Please reach out to discuss your specific location and needs.