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The families that live in and near Natalbany are well known for their sense of community, generous nature, and strong family bonds. When difficult times happen, the families of Natalbany have a history of coming together and helping one another, just as they did when Katrina brought destruction upon Southern Louisiana’s towns and cities. Unfortunately, life itself has many storms, and while the forces of nature cause most storms, others are just part of life. Likely none more devastating than when someone we care about develops a terminal illness. Still, these storms happen to all of us. Inevitably, we all will have to suffer through the death of loved ones because each of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When someone we love is reaching the end of their life’s journey, many of us are poorly prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to go for the guidance 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 help us with the difficulties of taking care of our loved ones 24 hours a day.
The majority of Natalbany residents most likely believe that hospice is a place that sick people go to pass away. But, hospice is not a place, and it is not about dying. In reality, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical treatment which improves the quality of life for our patients and their families. It also permits individuals who have a terminal illness to lead the best quality of life attainable in the time they have remaining.
Hospice also allows people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Natalbany and reside in their homes with their families near to them. In fact, 90% of people that elect hospice as a form of treatment continue to remain in their homes until they pass on. It does not matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Natalbany because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of where they call home. Hospice Associates’ caring staff will travel to your Natalbany home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will do it whenever you or your loved one requires it, any time, day or night. Hospice Associates is always just a phone call away.
How is it that a single word could bring so much fear?
Why does one particular word cause some people to cringe?
One word that most people never want to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it is not nearly as frightening as some people may think it is. In reality, hospice is not something to fear… it is something we should all embrace.
Hospice was initially a shelter intended for those with an incurable illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the final days of their lives. Today hospice is no longer viewed as a place. Instead, it is now thought of as a medical service that provides comfort and care to patients in their own homes. Whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, relatives’ residence, or their very own home. Hospice can be administered to patients regardless of just where they consider home.
Among the biggest misconceptions relating to hospice I’ve encountered is that a lot people frequently believe hospice care is reserved exclusively for individuals that may only have a few days left to live. The fact is hospice becomes available when a physician tells their patient that their disease is incurable and a cure is no longer attainable.
My experiences as a hospice nurse have given me the chance to partake in the wonderful aspects of what hospice care can offer to a family. Among the things I often learn from family members is that many of them wish they would have known hospice was an option well before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces much of the burden placed on family members and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can begin to appreciate the time they have left with the ones 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 anxiety and fear of being the only ones offering care to their loved one. And once they see the freedom it provides, they have the ability to begin enjoying the short time they have left with their loved one.
First, we help walk friends and families through every aspect of the disease process, so that they see how the illness will advance and what they can come to expect. Then when things occur, 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 unknown 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 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 confined to just bodily suffering. I have found that spiritual pain is often equally challenging to soothe as physical pain is. Our chaplain and social workers work together alongside our nurses to treat each of the pains which may exist.
Hospice also helps to remove the limits you may feel your disease has put on you. Our mission 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, regardless of the place the patient considers their home. Hospice Care may be offered at your private residence, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Any individual, whether a member of the family, patient, friend, personal doctor or medical professional, can make a referral to Hospice Associates. Recommendations are totally confidential. If you know of an individual that is in need of our services, get in touch with us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we may be a suitable fit for the individual you are concerned about.
The most suitable time to learn about hospice care is prior to you or somebody you love actually requires hospice care. It is never too late to find out about hospice or to talk about hospice with family members. By talking about hospice care well in advance, you ensure that everyone affected has a thorough understanding of what is available to them.
No, individuals of all ages with a life-limiting illness are able to receive hospice care.
Yes. Your family physician is part of our team. Our team will communicate and work with your physician to best understand your individual requirements.
To qualify for hospice care, individuals don’t have to be inactive. Our objective is to help our patients live life to the fullest. We encourage people in our care to do whatever they feel capable of doing and continue to do the things that bring them joy.What makes hospice special is that it concentrates on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care enables people which have developed a life-limiting illness to choose precisely how they wish to spend the rest of their lives. Hospice attends to the whole person, and their family is viewed as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain control and enjoying life fully.
Hospice care, even in-home hospice care is almost always 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 expense of things Medicare and Medicaid may not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative services to every qualified* individual that resides within a 50 mile radius of New Orleans, that includes Natalbany.
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