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The people that live in and near Bayou Vista are well known for their civic pride, generous nature, and strong family bonds. Whenever difficult times occur, the citizens of Bayou Vista have a history of coming together and helping one another, just as they did when Katrina brought chaos upon Louisiana’s towns and cities. Unfortunately, life is full of storms, and while the weather cause most storms, others are just a part of living. Probably none more overwhelming than when somebody we care for develops an incurable illness. Even so, these storms happen to each of us. Inevitably, we all will have to suffer through the death of a loved one because each of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When a person we love is reaching the end of their lives, many of us are poorly prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to go for the assistance we need to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar part of life. In many circumstances, hospice is the answer we are seeking to support us through the challenges of looking after our loved ones 24-7.
Many Bayou Vista locals most likely think that hospice is a facility which people go to die. But, hospice isn’t a place, 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 families. It also permits people that have a terminal condition to lead the best life attainable with the time that they have remaining.
Hospice also makes it possible for people approaching the end of their lives to continue to live in Bayou Vista and reside in their homes with their family members near to them. In fact, close to 90% of the people that embrace hospice as a treatment continue to remain in their homes until their passing. It doesn’t matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Bayou Vista because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, irrespective of where they call home. Hospice Associates’ experienced staff will come to your Bayou Vista home and provide the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will provide it when you or your loved one needs it, any time, 24 hours a day. Hospice Associates is no more than a phone call away.
How is it that a single word can cause so much fear?
How can one word often cause people to cringe?
One word that many people never hope to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it is not as scary as you might think it is. As a matter of fact, hospice isn’t something we should fear… it is something to welcome.
Hospice was initially a shelter intended for those with a fatal illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the final days of their lives. Today hospice is no longer considered a destination. Instead, it is now thought of as more of a medical service that offers comfort and care to patients in their homes. Regardless of whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, a member of the families’ residence, or their own personal home. Hospice can be offered to patients regardless of where they consider home.
One of the primary misconceptions about hospice I’ve encountered is that many people commonly presume it is reserved only for people that may only have a short while left to live. The fact is hospice becomes available as soon as a doctor informs their patient that their condition is terminal and a cure is no longer a possibility.
My experience as a hospice nurse have offered me the chance to experience the beauty of what hospice care can provide to a family. One of the many things I commonly hear from families is that wish they would have known hospice was an option long before they did. I believe this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on family members and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can begin to enjoy the short time they have remaining with the ones they love.
I think this is because the sooner hospice is offered to a family, the sooner they can let go of the stress and fear of being the only ones giving care to their family member. And once they realize the relief it can provide, they have the capacity to begin appreciating the time they have left with their loved one.
Initially, we take friends and families through every phase of the disease’s process, so that they comprehend exactly how the illness will progress and what they can come to expect. Then when things arise, we are readily available to respond to all of their questions and address any worries they may have. With this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unfamiliar and are provided the tools they require to help their loved ones through the dying process.
This is not only for our patients but also for their family members. Comfort is a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint. Hospice provides patients and family members spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by several things, but it is not limited to just physical pain. I have come to realize that spiritual pain can be just as challenging to lessen as physical suffering . Our chaplain and social workers strive collectively alongside our nurses to attend to each of the pains that may be present.
Hospice even helps to remove the restrictions you may believe your condition has put on you. For a few, possessing the awareness and knowing what to expect may be freeing. We don’t put restrictions on what you can or can not do. Our goal is to help you be as comfortable and live every moment that you have remaining to the fullest together with the ones you love.
Virtualy all hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient considers their home. Care may be given at your personal home, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Any person, whether a family member, patient, close friend, doctor or healthcare professional, may make a referral to Hospice Associates. Referrals are fully confidential. If you know of someone that is in need of our services, phone us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we might be a suitable fit for the person you are concerned about.
The most suitable occasion to learn more about hospice care is well before you or somebody you care for really requires hospice care. But it’s never too late to learn more about hospice care or to discuss hospice with family members. By talking about hospice care in advance, you ensure that everybody affected possesses a good understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, people of any age with a terminal diagnosis are able to receive hospice care.
Yes. Your family doctor is part of our team. Our team will communicate and work with your doctor to best understand your individual needs.
To receive hospice, individuals do not need to be inactive. Our objective is to help our patients live their lives to the fullest. We encourage our patients to do whatever they feel capable of doing and continue to keep on doing the things that bring them happiness.What helps make hospice special is that it concentrates on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice makes it possible for people that have developed a life-limiting illness to specify the way they wish to spend the rest of their lives. Hospice attends to the entire person, and their family is considered as part of the care unit. It emphasizes pain control and enjoying life fully.
Hospice care, even in-home hospice is almost always completely paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everybody that needs it can afford. Private insurance can on occasion help fund the expense of items Medicaid and Medicare might not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative care to all qualified* individual that resides within a fifty mile radius of New Orleans, which includes Bayou Vista.
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