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The Louisianians that reside in and around Presquille are known for their civic pride, caring nature, and strong family values. When challenging times come, the families of Presquille have a reputation for pulling together and helping one another, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina rained chaos upon Louisiana’s parishes. Regrettably, life itself is full of storms, and while the forces of nature brings most storms, others are just part of living. None more overwhelming than when someone we care for develops a terminal illness. Still, these storms happen to all of us. Inevitably, we will all need 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, many of us are not prepared and often at a loss as to where to go for the guidance we require to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In many circumstances, hospice is the solution we need to support us through the challenges of caring for our loved ones full-time.
Most Presquille natives probably think that hospice is a facility that people go to pass away. However, hospice isn’t a destination, and it is not about dying. In reality, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical treatment that improves the quality of life for our patients and their loved ones. It also enables individuals diagnosed with a life-limiting condition to lead the best quality of life possible in the time that they have been given.
Hospice also makes it possible for people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Presquille and live in their homes with their family members near them. In fact, almost 90% of the folks who elect hospice as a treatment option 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 Presquille 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 Presquille home and provide the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will do it whenever you or your loved one requires it, any time, 24-7. Hospice Associates is only a phone call away.
How is it that a single word can create so much fear?
How does a single word cause people to cringe?
One word that many people never hope to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it is not as scary as one might think it is. Hospice should not be a thing to be feared, hospice is something to be embraced.
Hospice was initially a home for those with a life-limiting disease– a place where the dying would go to live out the last days of their lives. Nowadays, hospice is no longer considered a place. Instead, it is now thought of as a service that offers comfort and care to terminally ill patients in their own homes. Regardless of whether that home is within a nursing home, assisted living facility, family members’ house, or their own personal home. Hospice can be offered to patients regardless of the location they consider home.
One of the primary myths about hospice I’ve encountered is that many people commonly assume it is reserved exclusively for people that only have a short while left to live. The reality is hospice becomes available when a physician tells their patient that their disease is terminal and a cure is no longer possible.
My experience as a hospice nurse have offered me the opportunity to witness the beauty of what hospice care can offer to a family. Among the many things I often learn from families is that they wish they would have known hospice was available well before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on families and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can start to enjoy the short time they have remaining with the people they love.
I believe this is because the sooner hospice is offered to a family, the sooner they can let go of the stress and fear of being the only ones offering care to their loved one. And when they realize the relief it offers, they have the opportunity to start enjoying the time they have left with their loved one.
First, we take families through every aspect of the disease’s process, so they comprehend exactly how the illness will progress and what they can come to expect. Then when things arise, we are available to respond to 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 require to help their loved ones throughout the dying process.
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 gives hospice patients as well as their families with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be brought on by many different things, however, it is not confined to merely bodily pain.
Hospice also helps to remove the restraints you may believe your disease has placed on you. For many, having the awareness and recognizing what you should expect can be liberating. We never put limitations on what our patients can or can’t do. Our objective is to help you be as comfortable and experience each and every moment that you have remaining to the fullest together with your loved ones.
Almost all hospice care is provided in-home, irrespective of the place the patient calls home. Care can be provided at your personal residence, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Any person, whether a family member, patient, friend, doctor or medical professional, may make a recommendation to Hospice Associates. Recommendations 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 might be a suitable fit for the person you are concerned for.
The best time to learn more about hospice care is well before you or somebody you love really requires it. It is never too late to learn more about hospice or to talk about hospice with your family. By discussing hospice in advance, you ensure that everyone impacted possesses a good understanding of what is available to them.
No, individuals of any age with a terminal diagnosis are able to receive hospice care.
Yes. Your doctor becomes part of our team. We will keep in touch and partner with your doctor to better understand your personal requirements.
To qualify for hospice care, individuals don’t need to be inactive. 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 so special is that it places emphasis on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care allows people which have developed a life-limiting illness to decide the way they wish to spend the rest of their life. Hospice care attends to the entire person, and their family is viewed as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain management and enjoying life fully.
Hospice care, even in-home hospice care is almost always completely paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everyone that requires can afford. Private insurance can sometimes help fund the cost of things Medicare and Medicaid might not cover.
Hospice Associates offers hospice and palliative services to all qualified* man or woman that resides within a 50 mile radius of New Orleans, which includes Presquille.
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