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The families who live in and near Raceland are well known for their sense of community, generous nature, as well as strong family bonds. Whenever challenging times happen, the residents of Raceland have a history of pulling together and helping one another, just as they did when Katrina brought destruction upon Louisiana’s parishes. Sadly, life itself has many storms, and while the weather cause most storms, others are simply a part of living. Probably none more distressing than when somebody we care about develops a terminal illness. Even so, these storms happen to every family. Inevitably, we will all have to cope with the death of our loved ones because all of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When a loved one is reaching the end of their lives, most of us are not prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to look for the assistance we need to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In many circumstances, hospice care is the answer we are looking for to help us with the difficulties of attending to our loved ones 24-7.
The majority of Raceland natives most likely think that hospice is a place that terminally ill people go to pass away. But, hospice isn’t a place, and it is not about dying. In reality, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical care that improves the quality of life for our patients and their family caregivers. It also permits people that have a life-limiting illness to lead the best quality of life attainable in the time they have left.
Hospice also allows people approaching the end of their lives to continue to live in Raceland and remain in their homes with their families close to them. As a matter of fact, around 90% of the people who choose hospice as a treatment option 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 Raceland because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of where they call home. Hospice Associates’ caring staff will come to your Raceland home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one needs, and we will do it whenever you or your loved one requires it, anytime, 24-7. Hospice Associates is only a phone call away.
How is it that just one word could create so much fear?
How could one word often cause some people to cringe?
One word that many people never hope to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it’s not as scary as some people may make it out to be. Hospice should not be a thing to fear, it is something to be embraced.
Hospice was originally a shelter intended for those with a fatal illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the last days of their lives. Nowadays, hospice is no longer thought of as a destination. Instead, it is now thought of as a service that delivers comfort and care to patients in their homes. Whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, a member of the families’ home, or their personal home. Hospice can be administered to patients irrespective of the location they refer to as home.
Among the leading mistaken beliefs about hospice I have encountered is that a lot people quite often believe hospice is reserved only for individuals that may only have a couple of days left to live. The fact is hospice becomes available as soon as a doctor informs their patient that their disease is terminal and a cure is no longer possible.
My experience as a hospice nurse have given me the to witness the beauty of what hospice care can offer to a family. One of the many things I learn from families is that they wish they would have known hospice was available long before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on family members and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can begin to enjoy the short time they have left with the people they love.
I think this is because the more quickly hospice is made available to a patient’s family, the sooner they can let go of the anxiety and fear of being the only ones providing care to their family member. And when they understand the relief it offers, they have the opportunity to begin enjoying the time they have remaining with their loved one.
Initially, we take friends and families through every phase of the disease process, so they comprehend how the illness will progress and what they can come to expect. Then when things develop, we are readily available to answer all of their questions and tend to any concerns they may have. Because of this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unfamiliar and are provided the resources they are in need of 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 many different things, but it is not restricted to just physical suffering. I have come to realize that spiritual pain can be just as challenging to soothe as physical suffering . Our chaplain and social workers work collectively with our nurses to attend to all of the pains which may exist.
Hospice even aids to take off the barriers you may suspect your condition has placed on you. For a few, possessing the knowledge and learning what to expect can be liberating. We do not put limitations on what our patients can or can’t do. Our goal is to help you be as comfortable and enjoy each moment you have left to the fullest together with the ones you love.
The majority of hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient calls their home. Hospice Care can be provided at your private residence, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Anyone, whether a family member, patient, friend, personal doctor or medical professional, can make a referral to Hospice Associates. Recommendations are fully confidential. If you know of anyone that is in need of our services, call us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we might be a suitable fit for the person you have concerns for.
The ideal occasion to learn about hospice care is well before you or someone you care for really needs it. However itis never too late to learn about hospice care or to talk about hospice with your family. By talking about hospice care well in advance, you ensure that every family member impacted has a thorough understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, individuals of all ages with a terminal illness can undergo hospice treatment.
Yes. Your family physician is part of our team. We will communicate and coordinate with your physician to better understand your personal needs.
To qualify for hospice care, you don’t have to be sedentary. Our mission is to help our patients live their lives to the fullest. We encourage patients in our care to do whatever they feel up to and continue to do the things that bring them joy.What makes hospice special is that it concentrates on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care allows people which have developed a life-limiting illness to determine the way they wish to spend the rest of their lives. Hospice care ministers to the entire person, and their family members are viewed as part of the care unit. It places emphasis on pain management and enjoying life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice is usually completely paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everyone that requires can afford. Private insurance can sometimes help fund the expense of things Medicaid and Medicare 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 Raceland.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, which may include:
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207