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The families who live in and around Ponchatoula are known for their civic pride, generous nature, as well as strong family bonds. Whenever difficult times happen, the people of Ponchatoula have a history of coming together and supporting each other, just as they did when Katrina brought destruction upon Southern Louisiana’s parishes. Regrettably, life itself is filled with storms, and while the forces of nature brings most storms, others are simply part of life. Probably none more devastating than when a person we care about develops an incurable illness. Still, these storms happen to every one of us. Inevitably, we will all have to cope with the loss of loved ones because each of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When a loved one is coming to the end of their earthly life, most of us are not prepared and frequently at a loss as to where to go for the guidance we need to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In many instances, hospice is the solution we need to support us with the difficulties of attending to our loved ones 24-7.
Many Ponchatoula locals likely believe that hospice is a place that sick people go to die. However, hospice is not a place, 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 allows people diagnosed with a terminal condition to live 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 Ponchatoula and reside in their homes with their loved ones near to them. In fact, around ninety percent of people that choose hospice as a treatment method continue to remain in their residences until their passing. It doesn’t matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Ponchatoula 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 Ponchatoula home and administer 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 a single word can produce so much fear?
Why does one particular word often cause people to cringe?
One word that most people never hope to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it’s not nearly as frightening as one may think. In truth, hospice isn’t something anyone should fear… it is something we should all embrace.
Hospice was originally a home for those with a terminal disease– a place where the dying would go to live out the final days of their lives. These days hospice is no longer viewed as a place. Instead, it is now viewed as more of a medical service that administers comfort and care to patients in their homes. Regardless of whether that home is within a nursing home, assisted living facility, a member of the families’ home, or their own individual home. Hospice can be provided to patients irrespective of just where they call home.
One of the leading misconceptions regarding hospice I have encountered is that many people frequently assume hospice care is only for individuals that only have a short while left to live. The truth is hospice becomes available when a physician informs their patient that their disease is terminal and a cure is no longer possible.
My personal experiences as a hospice nurse have offered me the chance to witness the beauty of what hospice care offers to a family. One of the many things I frequently learn from families is that many wish they would have known hospice was available well before they did. I believe this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on the family and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can begin to appreciate the short time they have left with the people they love.
I think this is because the sooner hospice is made available to a patient’s family, the sooner they are able to let go of the anxiety and fear of being the only ones providing care to their loved one. And once they see the freedom hospice offers, they are able to begin appreciating the time they have left with their loved one.
We help walk families through each and every aspect of the disease process, so they can comprehend how disease will advance and what they should come to expect. Then, as issues arise, we are available to answer each of their questions and address any concerns they might have. Because of 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 throughout 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 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 distress. I have come to realize that spiritual pain could be just as challenging to soothe as bodily suffering is. Our chaplain and social workers strive together with our nurses to treat all of the pains that may be present.
Hospice even aids to remove the barriers you may feel your condition has placed on you. For a few, gaining the awareness and learning what you should expect can be liberating. We don’t put restrictions on what you can or can’t do. Our objective is to help you be as comfortable and enjoy each and every moment that you have left to the fullest with the ones you love.
Virtualy all hospice care is provided in-home, irrespective of the place the patient calls home. Hospice Care may be offered at your personal residence, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Anyone, whether a family member, patient, friend, personal doctor or medical professional, may make a referral to Hospice Associates. Referrals are fully confidential. If you know of anyone that is in need of our services, get in touch with us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we would be a good fit for the individual you have concerns for.
The most suitable time to learn about hospice care is before you or someone you love really needs hospice care. However, it’s never too late to find out about hospice care or to talk about hospice with family members. By talking about hospice care in advance, you ensure that every family member affected possesses a thorough understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, people of all ages with a life-limiting illness can undergo hospice treatment.
Yes. Your doctor becomes part of our team. Our team will be in touch and consult with your doctor to best understand your individual needs.
To receive hospice, individuals do not need to be sedentary. Our mission 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 activities that bring them joy.What makes hospice special is that it focuses on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice enables people which have developed a life-limiting illness to decide how they would like to spend the remainder of their life. Hospice care treats the entire person, and their family is considered as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain control and living life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice is usually completely covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everybody that needs it can afford. Private insurance can occassionaly help subsidize the cost of things Medicare and Medicaid may not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative care to any qualified* man or woman that resides within a 50-mile radius of New Orleans, which includes Ponchatoula.
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