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The families who reside in and near Estelle are known for their civic pride, generous nature, and strong family bonds. When challenging times happen, the families of Estelle have a reputation for coming together and supporting one another, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina rained chaos upon Louisiana’s parishes. Unfortunately, life itself is filled with storms, and while the weather brings most storms, others are just part of life. None more traumatizing than when a person we care about develops a terminal illness. Still, these storms happen to every family. Eventually, we all will need to cope with the death of a loved one because each of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When someone we love is reaching the end of their lives, many of us are ill prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to go for the assistance we require to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar part of life. In most instances, hospice care is the solution we need to help us through the difficulties of nursing our loved ones full-time.
Many Estelle natives most likely believe that hospice is a place which sick people go to pass away. But, hospice is not a place, 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 allows individuals who have a life-limiting illness to live the best quality of life attainable in the time they have remaining.
Hospice also makes it possible for people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Estelle and reside in their homes with their family members near them. In fact, almost ninety percent of people that opt for hospice as a treatment method continue to reside in their homes up until they pass on. It doesn’t matter if they reside in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Estelle because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ caring staff will come to your Estelle home and provide the compassionate care you or your loved one requires, and we will provide it whenever you or your loved one requires it, anytime, 24 hours a day. Hospice Associates is only a phone call away.
How is it that just one word can bring so much fear?
Why could one particular word cause some people to cringe?
One word that most people never hope to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it’s not as frightening as some people might think it is. Hospice shouldn’t be something to fear, it is something to be embraced.
Hospice was originally a shelter for those with a terminal disease– a place where the dying would go to live out the final days of their lives. Today hospice is no longer considered a place. Instead, it is now thought of as more of a medical service that offers comfort and care to terminally ill patients in their homes. Regardless of whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, relatives’ house, or their very own home. Hospice can be offered to patients regardless of just where they call home.
Among the biggest myths regarding hospice I have run into is that many people frequently assume hospice care is only for people that may only have a few days left to live. The fact is hospice becomes accessible as soon as a physician informs their patient that their disease is incurable and a cure is no longer a possibility.
My personal experiences as a hospice nurse have given me the chance to witness the wonderful aspects of what hospice care provides to a family. One of the things I commonly learn from family members is that many wish they would have known hospice was an option long before they did. I believe this is because hospice reduces much of the burden placed on family members and provides them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can start to appreciate the short time they have remaining with the ones they love.
I think this is because the more quickly hospice is offered to a patient’s family, the sooner they can let go of the stress and fear of being the only ones giving care to their family member. And when they recognize the freedom it can provide, they have the chance to begin appreciating the short time they have left with their loved one.
Initially, we take families through every aspect of the disease process, so that they comprehend just how the illness will advance and what they can come to expect. Then, as issues occur, we are available to answer all of their questions and address any worries they might have. Because of this knowledge and understanding, families shed the fear of the unknown and are provided the resources they need to help their loved ones through the process of dying.
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 with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be brought on by many different things, however, it isn’t restricted to just physical pain.
Hospice also helps to remove the restrictions you may feel your disease has put on you. Our goal is for you to be comfortable and live each moment you have left to the fullest with your loved ones.
The majority of hospice care is provided in-home, irrespective of the place the patient calls home. Hospice Care can be provided at your personal residence, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Anyone, whether a family member, patient, friend, medical professional or medical professional, may make a referral to Hospice Associates. Recommendations are totally confidential. If you know of anyone that is in need of our services, contact us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether we might be a suitable fit for the individual you have concerns for.
The most suitable time to learn more about hospice care is well before you or someone you care for really needs hospice care. It is never too late to learn about hospice care or to talk about hospice with your family. By talking about hospice well in advance, you ensure that every family member affected has a good understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, individuals of any age with a terminal diagnosis are able to undergo hospice care.
Yes. Your physician becomes part of our team. We will be in touch and coordinate with your physician to best understand your personal requirements.
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 patients in our care to do whatever they feel up to and continue to do the activities that bring them joy.What makes hospice special is that it focuses on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice enables people that have developed a terminal illness to decide the way they wish to spend the rest of their life. Hospice attends to the whole person, and their family members are considered as part of the care unit. It emphasizes pain control and enjoying life fully.
Hospice care, even in-home hospice care is usually completely paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everyone that requires can afford. Individual insurance can occassionaly help fund the cost of things Medicare and Medicaid might not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative care to any qualified* man or woman that resides within a fifty mile radius of New Orleans, which includes Estelle.
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