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The Louisianians that reside in and near Poydras are well known for their sense of community, caring nature, as well as strong family values. Whenever difficult times occur, the families of Poydras have a reputation for coming together and supporting one another, just as they did when Katrina rained chaos upon Southern Louisiana’s communities. Regrettably, life is filled with storms, and while the weather cause most storms, others are simply a part of living. None more traumatizing than when a person we care for develops an incurable illness. Even so, these storms happen to every family. Eventually, we will all need to suffer through the loss of a loved one because each of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When someone we love is reaching the end of their lives, most of us are poorly prepared and often at a loss as to where to turn for the assistance we need to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar part of life. In most instances, hospice is the solution we are looking for to support us through the challenges of nursing our loved ones 24 hours a day.
The majority of Poydras residents probably think that hospice is a facility that terminally ill people go to die. But, hospice isn’t a destination, and it isn’t about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical treatment that improves the quality of life for the people in our care and their loved ones. It also allows people that have a terminal illness to live the best quality of life attainable with the time that they have left.
Hospice also makes it possible for people approaching the end of their lives to continue to live in Poydras and reside in their homes with their families near to them. In fact, almost ninety percent of the folks that opt for hospice as a form of treatment continue to reside 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 Poydras because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ experienced staff will come to your Poydras home and provide the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will do it when you or your loved one needs it, any time, 24 hours a day. Hospice Associates is always just a phone call away.
How is it that just one word could produce so much anxiety?
How can one particular word cause some people to cringe?
One word that a lot of people never want to hear…
That word is HOSPICE, and it is not nearly as frightening as some people might make it out to be. As a matter of fact, hospice is not something anyone should fear… it is something we should welcome.
Hospice was initially a home intended for those with a fatal disease– a place where the dying would go to live out the remainder of their lives. Nowadays, hospice is no longer considered a place. Instead, it is now viewed as a medical service that provides comfort and care to patients in their homes. Whether that home is within a nursing home, assisted living facility, family members’ house, or their very own home. Hospice can be provided to patients regardless of the location they call home.
Among the primary myths regarding hospice I have encountered is that a lot people quite often assume it is only for individuals that only have a short while left to live. The fact is hospice becomes accessible as soon as a physician tells 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 to experience the wonderful aspects of what hospice care offers to a family. One of the things I commonly hear from family members is that many wish they would have known hospice was available well 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 provides, families can begin to enjoy the time they have remaining with the people they love.
I believe this is because the more quickly hospice is offered to a patient’s family, the sooner they are able to let go of the stress and fear of being the only ones providing care to their loved one. And once they realize the relief it offers, they have the capacity to start enjoying the short time they have left with their loved one.
First, we help take friends and families through every aspect of the disease process, so they comprehend just 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 tend to any concerns they may have. Because of this knowledge and understanding, families shed the fear of the unfamiliar and are given 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 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 physical pain. I have come to realize that spiritual pain could be equally challenging to lessen as bodily pain . Our chaplain and social workers labor collectively with our hospice nurses to attend to each of the pains that can occur.
Hospice care can also help to clear away the restrictions you may believe your condition has placed on you. Our objective 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 calls their home. Hospice Care can be provided at your personal home, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Any individual, whether a relative, patient, close friend, physician or healthcare professional, may make a referral to Hospice Associates. Referrals are totally confidential. If you know of an individual that is in need of our services, contact us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether we may be a good fit for the individual you have concerns for.
The ideal opportunity to learn more about hospice care is well before you or somebody you care for really needs it. It’s never too late to learn about hospice care or to talk about hospice with family members. By talking about hospice well in advance, you ensure that every family member impacted possesses a good understanding of what is available to them.
No, people of any age with a terminal diagnosis can undergo hospice treatment.
Yes. Your doctor is part of our team. Our team will be in touch and consult with your physician to better understand your individual requirements.
To receive hospice, individuals do not need to be inactive. Our goal is to help our patients live their lives 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 makes hospice so 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 choose how they wish to spend the rest of their life. Hospice ministers to the whole person, and their family is considered as part of the unit of care. It places emphasis on pain control and enjoying life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice is usually completely paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everybody that needs it can afford. Private insurance can sometimes help fund the cost of items Medicare and Medicaid might not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative services to any qualified* individual that resides within a 50 mile radius of New Orleans, including Poydras.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, which can include:
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care