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The families that reside in and near Edgard are well known for their civic pride, generous nature, as well as strong family bonds. When challenging times occur, the families of Edgard have a history of pulling together and supporting one another, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina rained destruction upon Louisiana’s parishes. Sadly, life itself has many storms, and while the weather cause most storms, others are just part of life. None more devastating than when somebody we care about develops a terminal illness. Even so, these storms happen to every family. Eventually, we will all have to suffer through the death of our loved ones because each of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When a loved one is reaching the end of their life, many of us are not prepared and often at a loss as to where to look for the guidance we need to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In most instances, hospice care is the answer we are in need of to support us with the challenges of attending to our loved ones 24-7.
Most Edgard residents probably think that hospice is a place which people go to pass away. However, hospice is not a destination, and it isn’t about dying. In reality, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical care which improves the quality of life for the people in our care and their families. It also permits individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness to experience the best life attainable in the time they have remaining.
Hospice also allows people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Edgard and live in their homes with their family members near them. As a matter of fact, close to 90% of people who elect hospice as a treatment program continue to remain in their residences up until they pass on. It does not matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Edgard because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, irrespective of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will travel to your Edgard home and administer the compassionate care you or your loved one requires, and we will provide it when 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 could cause so much dread?
How could a single word cause some people to cringe?
One word that many people never hope to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it’s not as frightening as you might think it is. Hospice should not be a thing to be feared, hospice is something to be welcomed.
Hospice was initially a shelter intended for those with a life-limiting disease– a place where the dying would go to live out the last days of their lives. Today hospice is no longer viewed as a destination. Instead, it is now thought of as a medical service that delivers comfort and care to patients in their homes. Regardless of whether that home is inside a nursing home, assisted living facility, relatives’ home, or their own individual home. Hospice can be provided to patients regardless of where they refer to as home.
Among the leading myths regarding hospice I have run into is that many people quite often presume hospice care is only for patients that only have a few days left to live. The reality is hospice becomes available when a doctor informs their patient that their condition is incurable and a cure is no longer a possibility.
My experience as a hospice nurse have allowed me the to witness the wonderful aspects of what hospice care offers to a family. Among the things I commonly learn from families is that they wish they would have known hospice was an option long before they did. I believe this is because hospice reduces much of the burden placed on families and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can begin to appreciate the short time they have remaining with the people they love.
I think this is because the more quickly hospice is made available to a family, the sooner they can let go of the anxiety and fear of being the only ones offering care to their family member. And when they discover the freedom hospice offers, they have the chance to begin enjoying the short time they have remaining with their loved one.
We help walk families through every component of the disease process, so they can comprehend how disease will progress and what they should come to anticipate. Then, as things arise, we are available to answer each of their questions and address any worries they might have. Because of this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unfamiliar and are given the resources they need to help their loved ones through the dying process.
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 as well as family members with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be brought on by many different things, but it isn’t limited to just bodily pain.
Hospice can also help to clear away the limits you might think your illness has put upon you. Our objective is for you to be truly comfortable and live each moment you have left to the fullest with your loved ones.
Almost all hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient calls home. Hospice Care may be given at your private home, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Anyone, whether a family member, patient, close friend, personal doctor or medical professional, may make a referral to Hospice Associates. Referrals are completely confidential. If you know of anyone that is in need of our services, phone us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether we may be a good fit for the person you are concerned for.
The best opportunity to learn about hospice care is before you or somebody you love really needs it. However, itis never too late to learn about hospice care or to consider hospice with your loved ones. By talking about hospice care well in advance, you ensure that everyone impacted possesses a good understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, people of any age with a life-limiting illness are able to receive hospice care.
Yes. Your physician becomes part of our team. Our team will keep in touch and coordinate with your doctor to best understand your individual needs.
To receive hospice care, individuals do not need to be sedentary. Our objective is to help our patients live life to the fullest. We encourage our patients to do whatever they feel capable of doing and continue to keep on doing the things that bring them happiness.What helps make hospice special is that it places emphasis on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care makes it possible for people that have developed a life-limiting illness to specify the way 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 emphasizes pain control and enjoying life fully.
Hospice care, even in-home hospice is almost always 100% covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everyone that requires can afford. Private insurance can on occasion help fund the expense of things Medicaid and Medicare may not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative care to all qualified* person that resides within a 50 mile radius of New Orleans, that includes Edgard.
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