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The Louisianians who reside in and around Luling are well known for their sense of community, caring nature, as well as strong family values. Whenever difficult times happen, the residents of Luling have a history of coming together and helping one another, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina brought devastation upon Southern Louisiana’s parishes. Unfortunately, life itself has many storms, and while the forces of nature brings most storms, others are simply part of life. None more devastating than when someone we care for develops a terminal illness. Still, these storms happen to every family. Inevitably, we all will need to deal with the death of our loved ones because each of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When a person we love is reaching the end of their life, many of us are ill prepared and often at a loss as to where to go for the assistance we require to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In many instances, hospice is the answer we are in need of to support us through the difficulties of nursing our loved ones 24-7.
Most Luling locals probably think that hospice is a place that people go to pass away. But, hospice isn’t a destination, 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 family caregivers. It also allows people with a life-limiting illness to lead the best life possible in the time they have left.
Hospice also makes it possible for people approaching the end of their lives to continue to live in Luling and live in their homes with their families close to them. In fact, nearly ninety percent of the folks who choose hospice as a form of treatment continue to reside in their homes until they pass on. It does not matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Luling because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, irrespective of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will travel to your Luling home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will provide it when you or your loved one needs it, anytime, 24-7. Hospice Associates is no more than a phone call away.
How is it that one word can create so much dread?
Why could a single word often cause people to cringe?
One word that a lot of people never want to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it is not nearly as frightening as some people might think it is. Hospice shouldn’t be something to fear, it is something to be embraced.
Hospice was initially a home for those with a fatal disease– a place where the dying would go to live out the last days of their lives. Today hospice is no longer thought of as a destination. Instead, it is now viewed as more of a service that provides comfort and care to patients in their own homes. Regardless of whether that home is within a nursing home, assisted living facility, family members’ house, or their personal home. Hospice can be provided to patients irrespective of the location they call home.
Among the most prevalent myths relating to hospice I’ve encountered is that a lot people often believe hospice care is exclusively for people that only have a few days left to live. The truth is hospice becomes accessible as soon as a physician tells their patient that their disease is terminal and a cure is no longer attainable.
My experience as a hospice nurse have given me the to witness the blessing of what hospice care can provide to a family. Among the things I 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 gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can begin to appreciate the time they have left with the ones they love.
I think this is because the sooner 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 giving care to their family member. And once they understand the relief hospice offers, they have the opportunity to begin enjoying the time they have left with their loved one.
First, we take families through every aspect of the disease’s process, so that they comprehend just how the illness will advance and what they can come to expect. Then when things arise, we are available to answer all of their questions and address any concerns they may have. Because of this knowledge and understanding, families shed the fear of the unfamiliar and are provided the resources they need to help their loved ones throughout the dying process.
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 spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by several things, but it is not confined to just bodily distress. I have come to realize that spiritual pain can be equally as challenging to relieve as physical pain is. Our chaplain and social workers strive collectively alongside our hospice nurses to attend to all of the pains which may occur.
Hospice care can also help to clear away the restraints you may feel your disease has put upon you. Our mission is for you to be truly comfortable and live each moment you have left to the fullest with your loved ones.
The majority of hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient calls home. Hospice Care may be offered at your private home, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Any person, whether a member of the family, patient, friend, medical professional or healthcare professional, can make a referral to Hospice Associates. Referrals are totally confidential. If you know of somebody that is in need of our services, call us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we might be a suitable fit for the person you have concerns about.
The best opportunity to learn more about hospice care is prior to you or someone you love really requires it. But itis never too late to learn about hospice care or to talk about hospice with your loved ones. By discussing hospice care in advance, you ensure that everybody impacted has a good understanding of what is available to them.
No, individuals of all ages with a life-limiting diagnosis can undergo hospice treatment.
Yes. Your family physician becomes part of our team. Our team will keep in touch and coordinate with your physician to best understand your individual needs.
To receive hospice care, individuals do not 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 keep on doing the things that bring them happiness.What makes hospice special is that it places emphasis on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care enables people that have developed a terminal illness to choose precisely how they wish to spend the remainder of their life. Hospice ministers 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% paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something every peson that requires can afford. Individual insurance can on occasion help subsidize the expense of items Medicare and Medicaid may not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative care to every qualified* man or woman that resides within a fifty mile radius of New Orleans, that includes Luling.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, which may include:
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207