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A Korean War Veteran’s Journey with Palliative Care

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, and it is also a time to honor our nation’s Veterans. In that spirit, we are proud to share the story of Norman Laux, a 93-year-old Korean War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, whose courage on the battlefield continues to be mirrored in the grace and resilience he shows each day. Norman is also a Community Healthcare of Texas palliative care patient, receiving the compassionate support he and his family need as they navigate the challenges of advanced illness.

Norman, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2021 and also lives with type 2 diabetes, has long relied on the Veterans Administration for his medical care. But as his Alzheimer’s progressed and complications from diabetes became more frequent, his family found themselves facing new challenges.

By late 2024, Norman’s health had become increasingly fragile. His wife of more than 70 years, his steadfast caregiver, was beginning to struggle under the weight of his growing needs. Frequent trips to the emergency room left Norman more confused each time, and the family felt at a loss for how to best care for him at home.

That’s when they reached out to Community Healthcare of Texas to learn more about the organization’s Palliative Care Program.

A palliative care nurse practitioner soon visited Norman’s home to complete an initial assessment and explain how the program could help. Together, the family and care team set a goal to help Norman remain safely at home and avoid hospital visits whenever possible.

It didn’t take long for the Laux family to experience the difference palliative care could make. Within the first few weeks, Norman’s blood sugar spiked dangerously high. Unsure what to do, his family called the Community Healthcare of Texas on-call number. Within moments, the palliative care team had responded with detailed instructions to stabilize his blood sugar – preventing another stressful hospital visit.

The team also made thoughtful recommendations to simplify medication management, easing the daily burden on Norman’s wife. When Norman developed a cough that raised concerns about pneumonia, the palliative care team arranged for an in-home x-ray, sparing him a costly and confusing trip to the ER. Based on their review of Norman’s blood work and regular check-ins, the team also suggested adjustments to better manage his diabetes. The family then communicated those recommendations to Norman’s VA primary care physician, who agreed with the proposed changes.

That commitment to personalized care has allowed Norman and his wife to remain together through each stage of his journey. Thanks to the support of the palliative care team, Norman was able to stay at home with his wife for as long as possible, surrounded by the comfort and familiarity of the life they built together. In March 2025, the couple moved to an assisted living community, and Community Healthcare of Texas has continued to walk alongside them, providing the same compassionate care and consistent support in their new home environment.

Regular visits from a palliative care physician and nurse practitioner ensure Norman’s condition is closely monitored, and his family has peace of mind knowing that help is only a phone call away.

“Mom had been Dad’s primary caregiver for years,” explains Norman’s son, Tom. “But as she began needing more support herself, it became overwhelming. Palliative Care has been such a gift. It has taken a weight off our shoulders knowing there’s a team we can rely on. We’re not alone in this.”

As Norman’s Alzheimer’s continues to progress, the Community Healthcare of Texas palliative care team closely monitors his condition for hospice eligibility. When the time comes, the transition to hospice care will be smooth and familiar – providing Norman and his family with the full range of hospice benefits and additional layers of support that come with that next step in care.

This Veterans Day, we honor Norman and all those who have served our country. At Community Healthcare of Texas, we are privileged to walk alongside our nation’s heroes and their families, providing compassionate care and respect throughout every stage of life.

To learn more about Palliative Care and how it can support you or your loved one, visit www.chot.org/palliative-supportive-care/palliative-care.

 

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