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The people that reside in and around Norco are known for their sense of community, caring nature, as well as strong family bonds. Whenever tough times occur, the residents of Norco have a history of pulling together and supporting one another, just as they did when Katrina rained destruction upon Southern Louisiana’s parishes. Unfortunately, life is full of storms, and while the forces of nature brings most storms, others are simply part of life. None more heartbreaking than when somebody we care about develops an incurable illness. Still, these storms happen to all of us. Inevitably, we all will need to suffer through the loss of a loved one because all of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When a person we love 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 aspect of life. In many instances, hospice is the answer we need to support us with the difficulties of looking after our loved ones 24 hours a day.
Most Norco residents probably believe that hospice is a facility which terminally ill people go to pass away. But, hospice is not a destination, and it isn’t about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical care that improves the quality of life for our patients and their families. It also enables individuals that have a terminal condition to lead the best life possible in the time they have been given.
Hospice also makes it possible for people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Norco and reside in their homes with their family members nearby them. As a matter of fact, almost ninety percent of the folks that embrace hospice as a treatment method continue to stay in their residences up until they pass on. It doesn’t matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Norco because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of where they call home. Hospice Associates’ experienced staff will travel to your Norco home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one requires, and we will provide it whenever you or your loved one needs it, any time, day or night. Hospice Associates is only a phone call away.
How is it that one word could create so much dread?
Why could one word cause people to cringe?
One word that most people never want to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it is not nearly as frightening as you may think. As a matter of fact, hospice is not something to fear… it is something we should welcome.
Hospice was initially a home intended for those with an incurable illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the remainder of their lives. Nowadays, hospice is no longer thought of as a destination. Instead, it is now viewed as more of a medical service that provides comfort and care to terminally ill patients in their homes. Regardless of whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, family members’ house, or their very own home. Hospice can be administered to patients no matter just where they refer to as home.
One of the most prevalent misconceptions regarding hospice I have run into is that a lot people commonly think hospice care is exclusively for patients that may only have a few days left to live. The fact is hospice becomes available as soon as a doctor informs their patient that their condition is terminal and a cure is no longer attainable.
My experiences as a hospice nurse have offered me the to witness the beauty of what hospice care provides to a family. One of the many things I commonly hear from families is that many of them 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 provides, families can start to appreciate the time they have left 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 family member. And when they realize the relief hospice can provide, they have the opportunity to start enjoying the short 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 develop, we are available to answer all of their questions and address any concerns they might have. With this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unknown and are provided the tools they are in need of to help their loved ones through 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 several things, but it is not limited to just bodily pain. I have come to realize that spiritual pain can be just as challenging to lessen as physical suffering is. Our chaplain and social workers strive together with our hospice nurses to treat each of the pains that might be present.
Hospice even helps to take off the restrictions you may feel your illness has put on you. For many, having the knowledge and recognizing what to expect can be freeing. We don’t put limitations on what our patients can or can’t do. Our goal is to help you be as comfortable and live each moment you have left to the fullest together with your loved ones.
Almost all hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient calls their home. Hospice Care can be provided at your personal residence, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Any person, whether a member of the family, patient, friend, physician or healthcare professional, may make a referral to Hospice Associates. Recommendations are completely confidential. If you know of anyone that is in need of our services, phone us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we may be a good fit for the person you are concerned for.
The most suitable time to learn more about hospice care is before you or somebody you care for actually needs hospice care. However, it’s never too late to learn more about hospice or to discuss hospice with your family. By talking about hospice well in advance, you ensure that everyone affected possesses a good understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, people of any age with a life-limiting diagnosis can undergo hospice treatment.
Yes. Your family doctor is part of our team. Our team will be in touch and consult with your physician to best understand your personal requirements.
To receive hospice, individuals do not have to be sedentary. Our objective is to help our patients live their lives to the fullest. We encourage our patients to do whatever they feel up to and continue to do the things that bring them happiness.What helps make hospice so special is that it focuses on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice enables people which have developed a life-limiting illness to specify how they would like to spend the rest of their lives. Hospice treats the whole person, and their family is considered as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain management and living life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice care is almost always completely covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everybody that needs it can afford. Private insurance can on occasion help subsidize the cost of things Medicare and Medicaid may 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, that includes Norco.
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