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The people who live in and near Covington are well known for their sense of community, generous nature, as well as strong family bonds. When challenging times come, the residents of Covington have a history of coming together and helping one another, just as they did when Katrina rained chaos upon Louisiana’s parishes. Regrettably, life is full of storms, and while the forces of nature brings most storms, others are just a part of living. Probably none more traumatizing than when somebody we care about develops an incurable illness. Even so, these storms happen to each of us. Inevitably, we all will have to suffer through the passing of our loved ones because all of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When a person we love is reaching the end of their life’s journey, most of us are poorly prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to go for the guidance we need to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar part of life. In most circumstances, hospice is the solution we are in need of to help us with the difficulties of nursing our loved ones 24 hours a day.
Many Covington natives likely think that hospice is a place that sick people go to pass away. But, hospice isn’t a destination, and it is not about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical treatment which improves the quality of life for the people in our care and their loved ones. It also makes it possible for individuals that have a life-limiting illness to live the best quality of life possible in the time that they have remaining.
Hospice also allows people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Covington and live in their homes with their loved ones near to them. As a matter of fact, close to 90% of the people that embrace hospice as a treatment option continue to reside in their homes until their passing. It does not matter if they reside in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Covington because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, irrespective of where they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will travel to your Covington home and administer the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will provide it when you or your loved one needs it, any time, 24-7. Hospice Associates is only a phone call away.
How is it that a single word could bring so much dread?
Why could one word often cause some people to cringe?
One word that most people never want to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it is not nearly as frightening as some people may think it is. In truth, hospice isn’t something anyone should fear… it is something we should welcome.
Hospice was originally a home intended for those with a terminal disease– a place where the dying would go to live out the last days of their lives. Nowadays, hospice is no longer thought of as a place. Instead, it is now viewed as more of a medical service that provides comfort and care to patients in their homes. Whether that home is within a nursing home, assisted living facility, relatives’ house, or their personal home. Hospice can be provided to patients irrespective of where they call home.
Among the leading mistaken beliefs about hospice I have come across is that a lot people frequently assume hospice care is reserved exclusively for patients that may only have a couple of days left to live. The fact is hospice becomes available when a doctor informs their patient that their condition is incurable and a cure is no longer attainable.
My personal experiences as a hospice nurse have allowed me the to partake in the blessing of what hospice care provides to a family. One of the many things I commonly learn from family members is that they wish they would have known hospice was an option well before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on family members and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can start to enjoy the time they have remaining 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 stress and fear of being the only ones providing care to their family member. And when they understand the freedom hospice offers, they have the ability to begin enjoying the short time they have remaining with their loved one.
We help walk families through each and every facet of the disease process, so they can comprehend how disease will progress and what they can come to anticipate. Then, as things arise, our team is available to answer each of their questions and address any worries they may have. With this knowledge and understanding, families shed the fear of the unknown and are given the resources they require to help their loved ones throughout the process of dying.
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 gives hospice patients as well as their families with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be brought on by many different things, however, it is not restricted to just bodily pain.
Hospice care also helps to clear away the restrictions you may believe your illness has put upon you. Our mission is for you to be comfortable and live each moment you have left to the fullest with your loved ones.
Virtualy all hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient calls their home. Care can be provided at your private home, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Any individual, whether a family member, patient, close friend, doctor or healthcare professional, may make a referral to Hospice Associates. Recommendations are completely confidential. If you know of an individual that is in need of our services, get in touch with us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we might be a suitable fit for the individual you have concerns for.
The ideal time to learn more about hospice care is before you or someone you love actually requires hospice care. It is never too late to find out about hospice care or to talk about hospice with your family. By talking about hospice care in advance, you ensure that every family member affected possesses a good understanding of what is available to them.
No, people of any age with a life-limiting illness can undergo hospice care.
Yes. Your family doctor is part of our team. Our team will be in touch and work with your physician to better understand your individual requirements.
To qualify for hospice care, individuals don’t have to be inactive. Our objective 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 joy.What helps make hospice special is that it puts emphasis on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice makes it possible for people that have developed a terminal illness to determine how they would like to spend the remainder of their life. Hospice care ministers to the entire person, and their family members are viewed as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain management and living life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice is usually 100% covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everybody that needs it can afford. Private insurance can sometimes help subsidize the cost of items Medicaid and Medicare might not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative care to any qualified* individual that resides within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans, including Covington.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, often including:
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care