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The families who live in and around Paradis are known for their sense of community, generous nature, as well as strong family bonds. When difficult times come, the citizens of Paradis have a history of coming together and helping one another, just as they did when Katrina rained chaos upon Southern Louisiana’s towns and cities. Unfortunately, life itself is full of storms, and while the forces of nature cause most storms, others are just a part of life. None more traumatizing than when somebody we care for develops a terminal illness. Still, these storms happen to all of us. Inevitably, we will all need to cope with the passing of a loved one because each of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When a person we love is coming to the end of their earthly life, many of us are poorly prepared and often at a loss as to where to turn for the guidance we require to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In most instances, hospice is the answer we seek to support us with the difficulties of attending to our loved ones 24-7.
The majority of Paradis residents probably think that hospice is a place that terminally ill people go to pass away. However, hospice isn’t a destination, and it is not about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical treatment which improves the quality of life for our patients and their family caregivers. It also allows people with a life-limiting condition to live the best life attainable in the time that they have remaining.
Hospice also allows people approaching the end of their lives to continue to live in Paradis and reside in their homes with their families close to them. In fact, nearly ninety percent of the folks that opt for hospice as a treatment option continue to remain in their residences up until their passing. It does not matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Paradis because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will come to your Paradis home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will provide it whenever you or your loved one needs it, anytime, 24 hours a day. Hospice Associates is only a phone call away.
How is it that a single word can bring so much fear?
How could one particular word cause people to cringe?
One word that most people never want to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it is not as scary as some may think it is. As a matter of fact, hospice isn’t something anyone should fear… it is something we should embrace.
Hospice was initially a shelter 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 considered a destination. Instead, it is now thought of as a medical service that offers comfort and care to terminally ill patients in their homes. Whether that home is inside a nursing home, assisted living facility, family members’ home, or their own personal home. Hospice can be administered to patients regardless of where they refer to as home.
One of the primary myths about hospice I have come across is that a lot people often assume hospice is only for people that only have a couple of days left to live. The reality is hospice becomes accessible when a doctor tells their patient that their condition is incurable and a cure is no longer attainable.
My experience as a hospice nurse have allowed me the opportunity to partake in the wonderful aspects of what hospice care offers to a family. Among the many things I frequently hear from family members is that many wish they would have known hospice was available long before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on the family and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can begin to enjoy the time they have left with the ones they love.
I believe this is because the sooner hospice is offered to a patient’s family, the sooner they can let go of the anxiety and fear of being the only ones offering care to their loved one. And when they understand the freedom hospice can provide, they have the chance to begin appreciating the short time they have left with their loved one.
Initially, we walk friends and families through every phase of the disease’s process, so they comprehend exactly how the illness will progress and what they can come to expect. Then when things occur, we are available to answer all of their questions and tend to any worries they may have. Because of this knowledge and understanding, families shed the fear of the unknown and are provided the tools they need 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 offers patients and families with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by many different things, but it is not restricted to merely physical pain.
Hospice even helps to remove the restraints you may feel your illness has put on you. For a few, possessing the knowledge and understanding 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 experience each moment that you have left to the fullest with the ones you love.
Virtualy all hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient considers home. Hospice Care may be given at your private home, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Any person, whether a relative, patient, close friend, physician or medical professional, can make a recommendation to Hospice Associates. Referrals are entirely confidential. If you know of someone that is in need of our services, call us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether we may be a good fit for the individual you are concerned about.
The most suitable time to learn about hospice care is before you or someone you love actually needs hospice care. It is never too late to find out about hospice care or to talk about hospice with family members. By discussing hospice well in advance, you ensure that every family member affected has a thorough understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, people of all ages with a life-limiting diagnosis can undergo hospice care.
Yes. Your family doctor becomes part of our team. We will be in touch and work with your doctor to better understand your individual requirements.
To receive hospice care, individuals don’t have to be sedentary. Our mission is to help our patients live their lives to the fullest. We encourage people in our care to do whatever they feel capable of doing and continue to do the activities that bring them joy.What helps make hospice special is that it places emphasis on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice makes it possible for people that have developed a life-limiting illness to decide the way they wish to spend the remainder of their lives. Hospice ministers to the entire person, and their family members are considered as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain management and enjoying life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice is almost always completely covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everyone that requires can afford. Private insurance can sometimes help fund the cost of items Medicaid and Medicare may not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative services to every qualified* man or woman that resides within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans, which includes Paradis.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, including:
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care