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The people who reside in and around Independence are well known for their sense of community, generous nature, as well as strong family bonds. When tough times come, the residents of Independence have a reputation for coming together and supporting one another, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina brought destruction upon Louisiana’s parishes. Unfortunately, life itself has many storms, and while the forces of nature cause most storms, others are just a part of life. Likely none more distressing than when somebody we care for develops a terminal illness. Even so, these storms happen to each of us. Eventually, we all will have to deal with the death of a loved one because each of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When a person we love is reaching the end of their life, many of us are ill prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to turn for the guidance we require to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar part of life. In many circumstances, hospice is the answer we seek to support us through the difficulties of nursing our loved ones 24-7.
Many Independence residents likely think that hospice is a place which sick people go to die. However, hospice isn’t a destination, and it is not about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical treatment that improves the quality of life for our patients and their families. It also permits people who have a life-limiting condition to lead the best life attainable in the time they have left.
Hospice also allows people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Independence and remain in their homes with their loved ones near them. In fact, close to 90% of the folks who elect hospice as a treatment method continue to remain in their residences until they pass on. It does not matter if they reside in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Independence because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of where they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will travel to your Independence home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will provide it whenever you or your loved one needs it, anytime, 24-7. Hospice Associates is always just a phone call away.
How is it that just one word could create so much anxiety?
How could one particular word cause some people to cringe?
One word that a lot of people never hope to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it’s not nearly as frightening as one may make it out to be. Hospice isn’t something to fear, hospice is something to be welcomed.
Hospice was initially a shelter intended for those with an incurable illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the remainder of their lives. Today 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 own homes. Regardless of whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, family members’ house, or their very own home. Hospice can be administered to patients no matter the location they refer to as home.
One of the primary mistaken beliefs about hospice I’ve come across is that many people frequently presume hospice care is only for individuals that only have a few days left to live. The truth is hospice becomes accessible when a physician informs their patient that their condition is terminal and a cure is no longer a possibility.
My experience as a hospice nurse have offered me the opportunity to witness the beauty of what hospice care can provide to a family. One of the things I learn from families is that many wish they would have known hospice was available long before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on families and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can begin to appreciate the time they have remaining with the people they love.
I think this is because the more quickly hospice is made available to a family, the sooner they are able to let go of the stress and fear of being the only ones giving care to their loved one. And when they see the relief it provides, they have the ability to begin enjoying the time they have remaining with their loved one.
Initially, we help take family members through every aspect of the disease process, so that they see exactly how the illness will advance and what they can come to expect. Then when things develop, we are available to respond to all of their questions and tend to any worries they may have. With 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 hospice patients as well as families with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by many different things, however, it isn’t restricted to just physical pain.
Hospice even aids to remove the restraints you may feel your condition has put on you. For many, having the awareness and recognizing what you should expect can be liberating. We never put restrictions on what you can or can’t do. Our objective is to help you be as comfortable and live each moment you have remaining to the fullest together with your loved ones.
The majority of hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient considers their home. Hospice may be offered at your personal home, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Any individual, whether a member of the family, patient, close friend, personal doctor or medical professional, may make a referral to Hospice Associates. Referrals are totally confidential. If you know of somebody that is in need of our services, phone us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we would be a good fit for the individual you are concerned about.
The ideal time to learn about hospice care is before you or somebody you love actually requires hospice care. It’s never too late to learn more about hospice or to talk about hospice with your family. By discussing hospice care in advance, you ensure that everybody impacted has a good understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, people of all ages with a life-limiting illness are able to receive hospice treatment.
Yes. Your physician is part of our team. Our team will keep in touch and partner with your doctor to better understand your personal requirements.
To qualify for hospice, you do not have to be inactive. Our goal is to help our patients live life to the fullest. We encourage our patients to do whatever they feel capable of doing and continue to do the activities that bring them happiness.What makes 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 specify the way they would like to spend the rest of their life. Hospice care treats the entire person, and their family is considered as part of the unit of care. It places emphasis on pain control and living life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice care is almost always 100% paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something every peson that requires can afford. Private insurance can on occasion help subsidize the expense of things Medicaid and Medicare might not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative services to any qualified* individual that resides within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans, including Independence.
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