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The people that reside in and around French Settlement are well known for their sense of community, generous nature, and strong family bonds. Whenever difficult times come, the people of French Settlement have a reputation for coming together and helping one another, just as they did when Hurricane Katrina rained destruction upon Louisiana’s towns and cities. Unfortunately, life itself is full of storms, and while the forces of nature brings most storms, others are simply part of life. Probably none more traumatizing than when someone we care for develops a terminal illness. Still, these storms happen to every family. Eventually, we will all need to cope with the loss of a loved one because each of our lives will ultimately come to an end.
When a person we love is reaching the end of their earthly life, most of us are not prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to turn for the guidance we require to help us through this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In most instances, hospice is the solution we are in need of to support us through the difficulties of nursing our loved ones 24-7.
Most French Settlement residents most likely think that hospice is a facility that terminally ill people go to die. But, hospice is not 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 our patients and their family caregivers. It also lets individuals that have a life-limiting condition to experience 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 French Settlement and reside in their homes with their loved ones around them. As a matter of fact, almost ninety percent of the people who choose hospice as a treatment continue to stay in their residences up until their passing. It does not matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in French Settlement 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 French Settlement home and administer the compassionate care you or your loved one requires, and we will do it whenever you or your loved one needs it, anytime, 24-7. Hospice Associates is only a phone call away.
How is it that just one word could produce so much dread?
How could a single word often cause people to cringe?
One word that most people never want to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it’s not nearly as frightening as some may think it is. Hospice should not be a thing to be feared, it is something to be welcomed.
Hospice was originally a home intended for those with a life-limiting illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the last days of their lives. These days hospice is no longer viewed as a destination. Instead, it is now thought of as a medical service that offers comfort and care to terminally ill patients in their own homes. Whether that home is inside a nursing home, assisted living facility, relatives’ house, or their own home. Hospice can be provided to patients no matter just where they consider home.
Among the biggest mistaken beliefs about hospice I’ve come across is that many people often think hospice care is exclusively for individuals that may only have a short while left to live. The fact is hospice becomes accessible as soon as a doctor tells their patient that their disease is terminal and a cure is no longer a possibility.
My experience as a hospice nurse have given me the opportunity to experience the wonderful aspects of what hospice care provides to a family. One of the many things I learn from family members is that many of them wish they would have known hospice was an option well before they did. I believe this is because hospice reduces the burden placed on families and provides them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can begin to enjoy the time they have left with the people they love.
I believe this is because the more quickly hospice is offered to a patient’s family, the sooner they can let go of the stress and fear of being the only ones giving care to their family member. And when they understand the relief hospice can provide, they can begin appreciating the short time they have remaining with their loved one.
First, we help take friends and families through every phase of the disease’s process, so they comprehend just how the illness will progress and what they can come to expect. Then when things arise, we are readily available to respond to all of their questions and address any worries they may have. With this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unknown and are given the tools they need 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 provides patients and family members with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by many different things, however, it isn’t limited to merely bodily pain.
Hospice also helps to remove the limits you may feel your illness has placed upon you. Our goal 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, irrespective of the place the patient calls home. Care can be provided at your private home, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Anyone, whether a family member, patient, friend, physician or medical professional, can make a referral to Hospice Associates. Recommendations are completely confidential. If you know of an individual that is in need of our services, phone us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether or not we may be a good fit for the person you are concerned for.
The best occasion to learn more about hospice care is before you or somebody you love actually requires hospice care. It’s never too late to learn about hospice or to discuss hospice with family members. By discussing hospice in advance, you ensure that everybody impacted possesses a good understanding of what is available to them.
No, individuals of any age with a life-limiting diagnosis can receive hospice treatment.
Yes. Your family physician becomes part of our team. We will keep in touch and consult with your doctor to best understand your individual needs.
To receive hospice, individuals don’t have to be sedentary. Our goal is to help our patients live life 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 makes hospice so special is that it puts emphasis on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care allows people that have developed a terminal illness to determine precisely how they wish to spend the rest of their lives. Hospice care ministers to the whole person, and their family is considered as part of the care unit. It emphasizes pain control and living life fully.
Hospice services, even in-home hospice care is usually 100% paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something everybody that requires can afford. Private insurance can sometimes help subsidize the cost of things Medicare and Medicaid may not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative services to all qualified* man or woman that resides within a 50 mile radius of New Orleans, that includes French Settlement.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, including:
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care