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The families that reside in and near Algiers are well known for their sense of community, caring nature, as well as strong family bonds. Whenever challenging times occur, the citizens of Algiers have a history of pulling together and helping each other, just as they did when Katrina rained chaos upon Louisiana’s communities. Regrettably, life is filled with storms, and while the weather brings most storms, others are simply part of life. None more devastating than when someone we care for develops an incurable illness. Even so, these storms happen to every one of us. Eventually, we will all have to suffer through the passing of a loved one because all of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When a loved one is coming to the end of their life, most of us are poorly prepared and often at a loss as to where to go for the guidance we need to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In many instances, hospice care is the answer we seek to help us through the difficulties of caring for our loved ones 24 hours a day.
Many Algiers locals likely believe that hospice is a facility which terminally ill people go to die. But, hospice isn’t a destination, and it isn’t about dying. In reality, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical care that improves the quality of life for our patients and their loved ones. It also makes it possible for individuals who have a life-limiting illness to lead the best life attainable with the time that they have left.
Hospice also makes it possible for people approaching the end of their lives to continue to live in Algiers and remain in their homes with their family members near to them. In fact, nearly 90% of the folks who opt for hospice as a treatment continue to remain in their residences until their passing. It does not matter if they reside in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Algiers because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, irrespective of where they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will come to your Algiers home and administer the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will provide it when you or your loved one requires it, any time, day or night. Hospice Associates is always just a phone call away.
How is it that a single word could create so much dread?
Why can one word often cause some people to cringe?
One word that many people never hope to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it’s not as scary as you might think it is. In fact, hospice isn’t something we should fear… it is something to embrace.
Hospice was originally a shelter for those with a fatal illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the final days of their lives. Nowadays, hospice is no longer considered a destination. Instead, it is now viewed as more of a service that offers comfort and care to patients in their own homes. Whether that home is within a nursing home, assisted living facility, a member of the families’ house, or their very own home. Hospice can be administered to patients regardless of the location they refer to as home.
One of the most prevalent misconceptions regarding hospice I have encountered is that a lot people commonly think hospice is reserved only for individuals that may only have a short while left to live. The fact is hospice becomes accessible when a doctor informs their patient that their condition is terminal and a cure is no longer a possibility.
My personal experiences as a hospice nurse have offered me the to experience the wonderful aspects of what hospice care can provide to a family. One of the many things I frequently learn from family members is that they wish they would have known hospice was available well before they did. I believe this is because hospice reduces much of the burden placed on families and provides them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can start to enjoy the short time they have left with the people they love.
I think this is because the sooner hospice is offered to a patient’s family, the sooner they are able to let go of the stress and fear of being the only ones providing care to their loved one. And when they realize the relief hospice offers, they have the chance to begin enjoying the short time they have left with their loved one.
First, we walk friends and families through every phase of the disease’s process, so that they comprehend just how the illness will progress and what they can come to expect. Then, as issues occur, our team is available to answer all of their questions and address any concerns they may have. Because of this knowledge and understanding, families shed the fear of the unknown and are provided the resources they require to help their loved ones through the dying process.
This is not only for our patients but also for their families. Comfort is a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint. Hospice offers hospice patients and family members with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by many different things, however, it is not limited to merely physical pain.
Hospice care also helps to remove the limits you might believe your condition has put upon you. Our goal is for you to be truly comfortable and live each moment you have left to the fullest with your loved ones.
Virtualy all hospice care is provided in-home, irrespective of the place the patient considers their home. Care may be provided at your personal residence, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Anyone, whether a family member, patient, friend, doctor or medical professional, may make a referral to Hospice Associates. Referrals are entirely confidential. If you know of anyone that is in need of our services, call us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether we might be a suitable fit for the individual you have concerns about.
The most suitable occasion to learn more about hospice care is well before you or someone you love really requires it. It’s never too late to learn about hospice care or to discuss hospice with your family. By talking about hospice care well in advance, you ensure that every family member affected possesses a good understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, people of all ages with a life-limiting diagnosis can undergo hospice treatment.
Yes. Your family doctor is part of our team. Our team will communicate and consult with your physician to better understand your personal needs.
To qualify for hospice, you don’t need to be sedentary. Our mission is to help our patients live life to the fullest. We encourage people in our care to do whatever they feel up to and continue to do the things that bring them happiness.What helps make hospice special is that it focuses on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice makes it possible for people that have developed a life-limiting illness to decide the way they wish to spend the rest of their life. Hospice ministers to the entire person, and their family members are viewed as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain control and enjoying life fully.
Hospice care, even in-home hospice care is usually completely covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everybody that needs it can afford. Private insurance can on occasion help subsidize the expense of things Medicaid and Medicare may not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative care to all qualified* man or woman that resides within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans, including Algiers.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, which may include:
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care