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The Louisianians who live in and around Chalmette are known for their civic pride, generous nature, as well as strong family values. When challenging times happen, the citizens of Chalmette have a history of coming together and supporting each other, just as they did when Katrina rained chaos upon Louisiana’s communities. Sadly, life has many storms, and while the forces of nature cause most storms, others are simply a part of life. None more heartbreaking than when someone we care about develops an incurable illness. Even so, these storms happen to each of us. Inevitably, we will all need to deal with the loss of our loved ones because each of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When a loved one is reaching the end of their life, most of us are not prepared and frequently at a loss as to where to go for the guidance we require to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar part of life. In most instances, hospice is the answer we need to help us through the challenges of taking care of our loved ones full-time.
Many Chalmette natives probably believe that hospice is a facility that terminally ill people go to pass away. However, hospice isn’t a destination, and it is not about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical care that improves the quality of life for our patients and their families. It also makes it possible for individuals with a terminal condition to experience the best life possible with the time that they have been given.
Hospice also makes it possible for people approaching the end of their lives to continue to live in Chalmette and remain in their homes with their families around them. In fact, around ninety percent of the people that opt for hospice as a treatment program continue to remain in their residences until they pass on. It doesn’t matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Chalmette because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will travel to your Chalmette home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will provide it whenever you or your loved one requires it, any time, 24-7. Hospice Associates is no more than a phone call away.
How is it that a single word can instill so much fear?
How could one particular word cause people to cringe?
One word that most people never hope to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it’s not nearly as frightening as one may think it is. Hospice should not be something to be feared, it is something to be embraced.
Hospice was originally a shelter intended for those with a life-limiting illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the last days of their lives. These days hospice is no longer viewed as a place. 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, family members’ residence, or their very own home. Hospice can be provided to patients irrespective of just where they refer to as home.
Among the primary myths relating to hospice I’ve run into is that a lot people frequently assume hospice care is only for individuals that may only have a few days left to live. The reality is hospice becomes available as soon as a physician informs their patient that their condition is terminal and a cure is no longer possible.
My personal experience as a hospice nurse have offered me the opportunity to witness the wonderful aspects of what hospice care can offer to a family. One of the many things I often hear from family members is that many wish they would have known hospice was available well before they did. I believe this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on family members and provides them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can begin to enjoy the time they have remaining with the people they love.
I believe this is because the sooner hospice is made available 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 family member. And when they recognize the freedom hospice offers, they can begin appreciating the short time they have left with their loved one.
We help walk families through each and every aspect of the disease process, so they can comprehend how illness will advance and what they can come to anticipate. Then when things develop, we are readily available to answer all of their questions and tend to any concerns they may have. With this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unknown and are provided the tools they are in need of 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 spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by many different things, but it is not confined to just bodily distress. I have realized that spiritual pain is often equally as challenging to alleviate as physical suffering is. Our chaplain and social workers labor together with our hospice nurses to attend to each of the pains which might exist.
Hospice also helps to remove the restrictions you might believe your condition has put upon you. Our mission 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 calls home. Care can be provided at your personal residence, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Anyone, whether a family member, patient, close friend, personal doctor or medical professional, may make a recommendation to Hospice Associates. Referrals are completely confidential. If you know of anyone that is in need of our services, contact us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we may be a good fit for the person you are concerned about.
The ideal opportunity to learn more about hospice care is well before you or somebody you love actually requires it. It’s never too late to find out about hospice care or to discuss hospice with your family. By discussing hospice well in advance, you ensure that everybody impacted has a good understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, individuals of any age with a terminal diagnosis can receive hospice treatment.
Yes. Your family doctor becomes part of our team. We will keep in touch and consult with your doctor to best understand your individual requirements.
To qualify for hospice, you don’t have to be sedentary. Our mission is to help our patients live life to the fullest. We encourage patients in our care to do whatever they feel capable of doing and continue to do the things that bring them joy.What helps make hospice special is that it focuses on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care makes it possible for people which have developed a life-limiting illness to determine just how they would like to spend the remainder of their lives. Hospice care attends to the entire person, and their family is viewed as part of the care unit. It emphasizes pain management and enjoying life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice care is usually 100% covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something every peson that requires can afford. Individual insurance can sometimes help fund the cost of things Medicaid and Medicare may not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative services to all qualified* individual that resides within a fifty mile radius of New Orleans, which includes Chalmette.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, including:
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care