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The Louisianians that reside in and near Montegut are known for their civic pride, generous nature, as well as strong family bonds. Whenever challenging times occur, the people of Montegut have a history of coming together and helping each other, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina brought chaos upon Louisiana’s parishes. Sadly, life itself is filled with storms, and while the weather cause most storms, others are simply part of living. Likely none more distressing than when somebody we care about develops a terminal illness. Even so, these storms happen to every one of us. Inevitably, we all will have to suffer through the passing of the people we love because all of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When a loved one is coming to the end of their life’s journey, many of us are not prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to look for the assistance we require to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar part of life. In many instances, hospice is the solution we are seeking to support us through the difficulties of nursing our loved ones full-time.
Many Montegut residents probably believe that hospice is a facility that sick people go to die. But, hospice isn’t a destination, and it is not about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical care which improves the quality of life for our patients and their families. It also allows individuals that have a life-limiting illness to lead the best life attainable in the time that they have remaining.
Hospice also allows people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Montegut and reside in their homes with their loved ones near to them. As a matter of fact, around ninety percent of the people that embrace hospice as a treatment continue to remain in their residences until they pass on. It doesn’t matter if they reside in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Montegut because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will travel to your Montegut home and provide the compassionate care you or your loved one requires, and we will provide it whenever you or your loved one requires it, anytime, 24 hours a day. Hospice Associates is only a phone call away.
How is it that just one word could produce so much anxiety?
How could a single word cause some people to cringe?
One word that a lot of people never want to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it’s not nearly as scary as one might make it out to be. Hospice should not be something to fear, hospice is something to be welcomed.
Hospice was originally a home intended for those with an incurable 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 thought of as more of a medical service that delivers comfort and care to terminally ill patients in their homes. Whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, family members’ residence, or their own individual home. Hospice can be provided to patients no matter the location they call home.
One of the most prevalent misconceptions regarding hospice I have run into is that many people commonly think hospice is reserved only for individuals that may only have a couple of days left to live. The reality is hospice becomes available when a doctor informs their patient that their disease is terminal and a cure is no longer attainable.
My personal experiences as a hospice nurse have offered me the opportunity to experience the beauty of what hospice care provides to a family. Among the things I frequently hear from families is that many wish they would have known hospice was an option long before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces much of the burden placed on family members and provides them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can start to enjoy the time they have remaining with the people they love.
I think 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 offering care to their loved one. And once they understand the freedom it can provide, they can start appreciating the time they have remaining with their loved one.
We help walk families through every facet of the disease process, so they can understand how disease will advance and what they can come to expect. Then, as things arise, we are available to answer each of their questions and address any problems they may have. With this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unfamiliar and are provided the resources they need to help their loved ones through 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 gives hospice 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 bodily pain.
Hospice also helps to remove the barriers you may feel your disease has put on you. For a few, gaining the knowledge and understanding what you should expect can be liberating. We don’t put restrictions on what you can or can not do. Our objective is to help you be as comfortable and live each moment you have left to the fullest together with the ones you love.
Virtualy all hospice care is provided in-home, irrespective of the place the patient calls their home. Hospice Care may be given at your private home, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Any individual, whether a family member, patient, close friend, doctor or healthcare professional, can make a recommendation to Hospice Associates. Referrals are fully confidential. If you know of anyone that is in need of our services, contact us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether we might be a suitable fit for the individual you are concerned about.
The ideal time to learn more about hospice care is well before you or someone you love really requires hospice care. It is never too late to learn about hospice or to talk about hospice with family members. By discussing hospice well in advance, you ensure that everyone impacted has a good understanding of what is available to them.
No, individuals of all ages with a life-limiting diagnosis can undergo hospice care.
Yes. Your family physician is part of our team. Our team will keep in touch and coordinate with your doctor to best understand your personal requirements.
To receive hospice care, individuals do not 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 capable of doing and continue to do the activities that bring them happiness.What helps make hospice so special is that it puts emphasis on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice makes it possible for people that have developed a terminal illness to determine just how they wish to spend the rest of their life. Hospice ministers to the entire person, and their family members are considered as part of the unit of care. It emphasizes pain control and enjoying life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice is almost always 100% covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something every peson that requires can afford. Private insurance can sometimes help fund the cost of things Medicaid and Medicare might not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative services to all qualified* person that resides within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans, including Montegut.
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