Menu
The people who live in and around Metairie are well known for their civic pride, generous nature, as well as strong family values. When tough times happen, the people of Metairie have a reputation for coming together and helping one another, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina rained destruction upon Louisiana’s communities. Regrettably, life is full of storms, and while the forces of nature brings most storms, others are just part of living. Probably none more heartbreaking than when somebody we care about develops a terminal illness. Even so, these storms happen to each of us. Eventually, we all will have to suffer through the passing of our loved ones because all of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When a loved one is reaching the end of their lives, most of us are not prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to turn for the assistance we require to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In most instances, hospice care is the solution we are in need of to support us with the difficulties of looking after our loved ones full-time.
Many Metairie locals most likely think that hospice is a facility which people go to pass away. However, hospice is not a place, and it isn’t about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical treatment that improves the quality of life for our patients and their loved ones. It also makes it possible for individuals diagnosed with a terminal condition to lead the best life possible in the time that they have left.
Hospice also allows people approaching the end of their lives to continue to live in Metairie and reside in their homes with their loved ones near them. In fact, almost 90% of people that opt for hospice as a treatment option continue to stay in their homes up until their passing. It doesn’t matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Metairie because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, irrespective of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ experienced staff will travel to your Metairie home and provide the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will do it whenever you or your loved one needs it, any time, day or night. Hospice Associates is always just a phone call away.
How is it that a single word can instill so much fear?
Why can one particular word cause people to cringe?
One word that most people never hope to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it’s not as scary as some may make it out to be. Hospice shouldn’t be a thing to fear, hospice is something to be embraced.
Hospice was originally a home for those with a terminal illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the remainder of their lives. Nowadays, hospice is no longer considered a destination. Instead, it is now viewed as a service that administers comfort and care to patients in their own homes. Whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, family members’ house, or their own individual home. Hospice can be provided to patients no matter just where they refer to as home.
One of the most prevalent mistaken beliefs about hospice I’ve run into is that many people commonly presume it is exclusively for patients that only have a short while left to live. The truth is hospice becomes available as soon as a physician informs their patient that their condition is terminal and a cure is no longer possible.
My personal experience as a hospice nurse have given me the opportunity to partake in the blessing of what hospice care can offer to a family. One of the things I often hear from families is that wish they would have known hospice was an option well before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on families and provides them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can start to appreciate the short time they have left with the ones they love.
I believe this is because the sooner hospice is made available to a patient, the sooner they can let go of the stress and fear of being the only ones giving care to their loved one. And when they realize the relief hospice offers, they are able to start enjoying the short time they have left with their loved one.
First, we take friends and families through every aspect of the disease’s process, so they see how the illness will progress and what they can come to expect. Then when things occur, we are readily available to answer all of their questions and address any concerns they may have. With this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unfamiliar and are provided the resources they are in need of to help their loved ones through the process of dying.
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 restricted to just physical suffering. I have found that spiritual pain can be just as challenging to ease as physical pain is. Our chaplain and social workers work together alongside our nurses to treat each of the pains which can be present.
Hospice care can also help to clear away the restraints you might feel your illness has placed on you. Our goal is for you to be truly comfortable and live each moment you have left to the fullest with your loved ones.
Virtualy all hospice care is provided in-home, irrespective of the place the patient considers their home. Care can 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, doctor or medical professional, can make a referral to Hospice Associates. Referrals are fully confidential. If you know of an individual 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 for.
The most suitable time to learn about hospice care is well before you or somebody you care for actually requires it. However itis never too late to find out about hospice or to explore hospice with family members. By talking about hospice care well in advance, you ensure that every family member impacted has a thorough understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, individuals of any age with a terminal illness can receive hospice treatment.
Yes. Your physician is part of our team. We will be in touch and consult with your physician to best understand your individual needs.
To receive hospice, individuals don’t need to be sedentary. Our mission is to help our patients live life to the fullest. We encourage patients in our care to do whatever they feel up to and continue to keep on doing the activities that bring them joy.What makes hospice special is that it places emphasis on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care makes it possible for people which have developed a terminal illness to decide the way they would like to spend the rest of their lives. Hospice care treats the whole person, and their family members are considered as part of the unit of care. It places emphasis on pain control and living life fully.
Hospice care, even in-home hospice care is usually 100% paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everyone that needs it can afford. Individual insurance can occassionaly help subsidize the cost of items Medicare and Medicaid may not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative services to any qualified* individual that resides within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans, including Metairie.
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