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The Louisianians that live in and near Jefferson are well known for their civic pride, generous nature, and strong family values. When challenging times come, the people of Jefferson have a history of pulling together and helping each other, just as they did when Katrina rained chaos upon Louisiana’s parishes. Unfortunately, life itself is full of storms, and while the forces of nature brings most storms, others are simply a part of living. Likely none more heartbreaking than when someone we care about develops an incurable illness. Even so, these storms happen to all of us. Inevitably, we all will 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 coming to the end of their life, many of us are poorly prepared and frequently at a loss as to where to go for the assistance we require to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar part of life. In many instances, hospice is the solution we are in need of to help us with the difficulties of looking after our loved ones 24 hours a day.
Most Jefferson natives probably believe that hospice is a place which sick people go to pass away. But, hospice isn’t a place, 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 enables people who have a terminal condition to experience the best quality of life possible in the time that they have been given.
Hospice also makes it possible for people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Jefferson and reside in their homes with their families around them. As a matter of fact, almost ninety percent of people who choose hospice as a treatment method continue to stay in their residences up until their passing. It doesn’t matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Jefferson because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ experienced staff will travel to your Jefferson home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one requires, and we will do it when you or your loved one needs it, any time, 24 hours a day. Hospice Associates is no more than a phone call away.
How is it that a single word could produce so much anxiety?
Why can one word cause some people to cringe?
One word that many people never hope to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it’s not nearly as scary as one might make it out to be. As a matter of fact, hospice is not something anyone should fear… it is something to embrace.
Hospice was initially a shelter intended for those with a fatal 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 viewed as a service that provides comfort and care to terminally ill patients in their homes. Regardless of whether that home is within a nursing home, assisted living facility, a member of the families’ home, or their personal home. Hospice can be offered to patients regardless of just where they call home.
Among the biggest misconceptions concerning hospice I have encountered is that many people frequently assume hospice is reserved exclusively for patients that only have a short while left to live. The truth is hospice becomes accessible as soon as a doctor tells their patient that their condition is incurable and a cure is no longer possible.
My experience as a hospice nurse have given me the opportunity to experience the wonderful aspects of what hospice care can provide to a family. One of the many things I frequently hear from family members is that wish they would have known hospice was an option well before they did. I believe this is because hospice reduces much of the burden placed on the family and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can begin to enjoy the time they have left with the ones they love.
I believe this is because the more quickly hospice is made available to a family, the sooner they can let go of the anxiety and fear of being the only ones giving care to their loved one. And once they see the freedom it provides, they have the chance to begin enjoying the short time they have left with their loved one.
Initially, we help walk friends and families through every aspect of the disease’s process, so they comprehend just how the illness will progress and what they can come to expect. Then, as things arise, our team is available to answer each of their questions and address any concerns they may have. With this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unknown and are provided the tools they require to help their loved ones throughout 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 as well as their families with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by many different things, but it isn’t limited to merely physical pain.
Hospice even aids to remove the restraints you may suspect your condition has placed on you. For some, possessing the awareness and knowing what you should expect may be freeing. We don’t put restrictions on what you can or can not do. Our goal is to help you be as comfortable and experience every moment that you have left to the fullest with your loved ones.
Almost all hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient considers their home. Hospice may be provided at your personal residence, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Any individual, whether a member of the family, patient, friend, medical professional or healthcare professional, can make a referral to Hospice Associates. Referrals are entirely confidential. If you know of somebody that is in need of our services, contact us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether we would be a suitable fit for the person you have concerns for.
The ideal time to learn about hospice care is prior to you or somebody you care for actually requires hospice care. But itis never too late to learn about hospice or to explore hospice with family members. By discussing hospice care in advance, you ensure that everybody affected has a thorough understanding of what is available to them.
No, individuals of all ages with a terminal diagnosis can undergo hospice care.
Yes. Your physician becomes part of our team. We will keep in touch and consult with your physician to better understand your personal needs.
To qualify for hospice, you don’t need to be sedentary. Our mission is to help our patients live life to the fullest. We encourage our patients 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 focuses on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice enables people that have developed a life-limiting illness to specify just how they wish to spend the remainder of their lives. Hospice care attends to the whole person, and their family members are considered as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain control and enjoying life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice care is almost always 100% covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something every peson that needs it can afford. Individual insurance can sometimes help subsidize the expense of items Medicaid and Medicare might not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative services to every qualified* man or woman that resides within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans, which includes Jefferson.
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