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The families who reside in and around Bourg are known for their civic pride, generous nature, and strong family values. When difficult times happen, the citizens of Bourg have a history of pulling together and helping one another, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina brought chaos upon Louisiana’s towns and cities. Regrettably, life itself is filled with storms, and while the forces of nature brings most storms, others are just a part of living. None more overwhelming than when somebody we care for develops an incurable illness. Still, these storms happen to each of us. Eventually, we will all need to deal with the death of our loved ones because each of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When someone we love is reaching the end of their lives, most of us are poorly prepared and often at a loss as to where to look for the guidance we need to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar part of life. In many circumstances, hospice care is the solution we need to support us with the difficulties of nursing our loved ones 24-7.
Most Bourg natives likely believe that hospice is a facility that people go to die. However, hospice isn’t a destination, and it isn’t about dying. In reality, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical treatment which improves the quality of life for the people in our care and their family caregivers. It also makes it possible for individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness to live the best life possible with the time that they have remaining.
Hospice also allows people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Bourg and reside in their homes with their loved ones near them. In fact, around ninety percent of people that choose hospice as a form of treatment continue to remain in their residences up until their passing. It does not matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Bourg because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, irrespective of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ caring staff will travel to your Bourg home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will provide it when you or your loved one requires it, anytime, 24-7. Hospice Associates is no more than a phone call away.
How is it that one word can produce so much dread?
How could a single word cause some people to cringe?
One word that a lot of people never want to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it is not as scary as some may think it is. Hospice should not be something to fear, it is something to be welcomed.
Hospice was initially a home intended for those with a terminal illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the remainder of their lives. Today hospice is no longer considered a place. Instead, it is now viewed as a service that administers comfort and care to patients in their own homes. Regardless of whether that home is within a nursing home, assisted living facility, a member of the families’ house, or their own home. Hospice can be provided to patients no matter just where they refer to as home.
One of the primary misconceptions relating to hospice I’ve come across is that many people quite often think it is only for patients that may only have a couple of days left to live. The reality is hospice becomes accessible as soon as a doctor tells their patient that their disease is terminal and a cure is no longer attainable.
My experiences as a hospice nurse have given me the to witness the wonderful aspects of what hospice care can offer to a family. One of the many things I commonly hear from family members is that wish they would have known hospice was an option long before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on the family and provides them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can start to enjoy the time they have left with the people they love.
I think this is because the sooner hospice is made available to a patient’s family, the sooner they are able to let go of the anxiety and fear of being the only ones giving care to their family member. And when they recognize the relief hospice can provide, they can begin appreciating the short time they have left with their loved one.
We help walk families through every facet of the disease process, so they can understand how illness will progress and what they can come to anticipate. Then when things arise, we are readily available to answer all of their questions and address any concerns they may have. Because of this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unfamiliar and are given the resources they require to help their loved ones throughout 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 provides patients and family members with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be brought on by many different things, but it isn’t confined to merely physical pain.
Hospice care also helps to remove the restraints you might believe your illness has placed on you. Our objective is for you to be truly comfortable and live each moment you have left to the fullest with your loved ones.
The majority of hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient considers home. Hospice Care may be given at your private home, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Any person, whether a family member, patient, friend, medical professional or medical professional, may make a recommendation to Hospice Associates. Referrals are fully confidential. If you know of someone that is in need of our services, contact us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we may be a suitable fit for the person you have concerns for.
The most suitable time to learn more about hospice care is before you or someone you love really requires it. It’s never too late to learn more about hospice or to talk about hospice with family members. By discussing hospice in advance, you ensure that every family member affected has a good understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, people of all ages with a terminal illness can undergo hospice care.
Yes. Your physician is part of our team. Our team will keep in touch and partner with your doctor to best understand your individual needs.
To qualify for hospice, you don’t need to be inactive. Our goal 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 do the activities that bring them joy.What helps make hospice special is that it focuses on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care enables people that have developed a terminal illness to specify how they would like to spend the remainder of their lives. Hospice care treats the entire person, and their family is considered as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain management and enjoying life fully.
Hospice care, even in-home hospice is usually completely covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something every peson that needs it can afford. Individual insurance can occassionaly help fund the cost of items Medicare and Medicaid may not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative services to any qualified* man or woman that resides within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans, including Bourg.
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