Lakes Area Hospice, Inc. (LAH) began in 1994 as a cooperative effort among individuals from the First United Methodist Church, Jasper Memorial Hospital (now Christus Jasper Memorial) and Lakes Regional Medical Center (now Dickerson Memorial Hospital) who recognized the need for hospice care in Jasper and the surrounding area. The T.L.L. Temple Foundation gave a grant for operational seed money. Hospice in the Pines in Lufkin provided assistance in organizational planning and employee training and equipment. Lakes Area Hospice is a non-profit 501(c) (3) entity, which relies on donations of time and funds from the community.

Lakes Area Hospice is licensed by the Texas Department of Human Services, Home and Community Support Services Agency and provides compassionate care for patients with terminal illnesses and support for their families. The primary emphasis is on the patient’s comfort, allowing him or her to remain at home as long as possible. A team of professionals, including nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers and physicians, provides care. The team directed by five volunteer physicians, supports at-home care provided by the family on a scheduled basis and is on call 24 hours a day. LAH has served more than 3,000 patients and families in East Texas since its licensing in June 1994.

Lakes Area Hospice maintains memberships in the Texas Non-Profit Alliance, Texas-New Mexico Hospice Organization and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Through its membership in the Texas Non-Profit Hospice Alliance, Lakes Area Hospice has contracts with approximately 35 managed care entities. The Alliance is a statewide network of not-for-profit agencies that directs patient referral to the appropriate member hospice based on geographical location.