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The families who live in and around Hammond are well known for their sense of community, caring nature, and strong family values. When tough times occur, the residents of Hammond have a reputation for coming together and supporting each other, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina brought devastation upon Louisiana’s communities. Unfortunately, life is full of storms, and while the forces of nature cause most storms, others are just part of living. None more heartbreaking than when someone we care about develops an incurable illness. Still, these storms happen to every one of us. Eventually, we all will need to deal with the loss of a loved one because all of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When a loved one is reaching the end of their life, many of us are not prepared and frequently 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 many instances, hospice care is the solution we are looking for to help us with the difficulties of caring for our loved ones 24-7.
Most Hammond natives most likely think that hospice is a facility that sick people go to die. But, hospice is not a place, and it isn’t about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical care which improves the quality of life for the people in our care and their loved ones. It also allows individuals who have a terminal illness to experience the best life possible in the time they have been given.
Hospice also makes it possible for people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Hammond and reside in their homes with their loved ones around them. As a matter of fact, close to ninety percent of people who choose hospice as a form of treatment continue to reside in their residences up until they pass on. It does not matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Hammond because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, irrespective of where they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will come to your Hammond home and provide 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 just one word can cause so much fear?
Why could a single word often cause some people to cringe?
One word that a lot of people never hope to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it is not as frightening as you may think. In truth, hospice isn’t something to fear… it is something we should all welcome.
Hospice was initially a shelter intended for those with a terminal disease– a place where the dying would go to live out the final days of their lives. These days hospice is no longer considered a place. Instead, it is now thought of as more of a medical service that administers comfort and care to terminally ill patients in their own homes. Whether that home is within a nursing home, assisted living facility, a member of the families’ house, or their own individual home. Hospice can be offered to patients no matter just where they call home.
Among the leading myths relating to hospice I’ve come across is that many people quite often presume hospice care is reserved exclusively for individuals that may only have a short while left to live. The truth is hospice becomes available as soon as a physician tells their patient that their condition is terminal and a cure is no longer a possibility.
My personal experiences as a hospice nurse have given me the opportunity to partake in the beauty of what hospice care can provide to a family. One of the many things I frequently hear from families is that they wish they would have known hospice was an option well before they did. I believe 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 begin to enjoy the time they have remaining with the ones they love.
I believe this is because the more quickly hospice is offered 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 realize the freedom hospice offers, they have the capacity to begin enjoying the short time they have left with their loved one.
Initially, we take family members through every phase of the disease’s process, so they comprehend exactly how the illness will advance and what they can come to expect. Then when things occur, we are available to respond to all of their questions and address any worries they may have. Because of this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unknown and are provided the resources they are in need of to help their loved ones through 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 limited to just bodily pain. I have found that spiritual pain can be just as challenging to ease as bodily pain . Our chaplain and social workers labor together alongside our nurses to treat each of the pains that might be present.
Hospice also aids to remove the barriers you may suspect your condition has put on you. For many, gaining the awareness and knowing what you should expect can be freeing. We do not put restrictions on what our patients can or can not do. Our aim is to help you be as comfortable and live each and every moment that you have remaining to the fullest with your loved ones.
The majority of hospice care is provided in-home, irrespective of the place the patient calls their home. Hospice Care may be offered at your personal residence, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Any person, whether a relative, patient, close friend, medical professional or healthcare professional, may make a recommendation to Hospice Associates. Referrals are entirely confidential. If you know of somebody that is in need of our services, get in touch with us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we may be a suitable fit for the individual you are concerned about.
The most suitable time to learn about hospice care is well before you or someone you love really requires hospice care. However, it’s never too late to find out about hospice or to explore hospice with your family. By discussing hospice well in advance, you ensure that every family member impacted possesses a thorough understanding of what is available to them.
No, individuals of any age with a life-limiting illness can receive hospice care.
Yes. Your physician becomes part of our team. Our team will communicate and coordinate with your physician to better understand your personal requirements.
To receive hospice care, you don’t need to be inactive. Our mission is to help our patients live their lives 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 happiness.What makes hospice so special is that it concentrates on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice allows people which have developed a terminal illness to determine the way they wish to spend the rest of their life. Hospice care ministers to the whole 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 care is usually completely covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everybody that needs it can afford. Private insurance can on occasion help subsidize the cost of things Medicaid and Medicare might not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative care to all qualified* person that resides within a 50 mile radius of New Orleans, including Hammond.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, which can include:
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care