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The Louisianians that reside in and around Garyville are known for their civic pride, caring nature, as well as strong family values. Whenever challenging times occur, the residents of Garyville have a reputation for pulling together and supporting each other, just as they did when Katrina brought chaos upon Louisiana’s parishes. Regrettably, life itself is full of storms, and while the forces of nature cause most storms, others are simply part of living. Likely none more devastating than when a person we care about develops a terminal illness. Still, these storms happen to every family. Eventually, we will all need to suffer through the loss of the people we love because each of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When a loved one is reaching the end of their earthly life, many of us are ill prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to turn for the guidance we need to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In many instances, hospice care is the solution we really need to help us with the difficulties of looking after our loved ones 24 hours a day.
The majority of Garyville locals probably believe that hospice is a place which terminally ill people go to die. But, hospice isn’t a place, and it is not 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 family caregivers. It also permits people diagnosed with a life-limiting condition to live the best quality of life possible with the time that they have left.
Hospice also makes it possible for people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Garyville and remain in their homes with their family members nearby them. In fact, around 90% of the folks who opt for hospice as a treatment option continue to stay in their residences up until they pass on. It doesn’t matter if they reside in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Garyville because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of where they call home. Hospice Associates’ experienced staff will come to your Garyville home and deliver the compassionate care you or your loved one requires, and we will provide it when you or your loved one needs it, any time, day or night. Hospice Associates is only a phone call away.
How is it that a single word can create so much dread?
Why could one particular word cause people to cringe?
One word that many people never hope to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it is not as frightening as one might think. In fact, hospice is not something we should fear… it is something to embrace.
Hospice was initially a shelter for those with a terminal illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the remainder of their lives. These days hospice is no longer viewed as a destination. Instead, it is now thought of as a medical service that provides comfort and care to terminally ill patients in their own homes. Whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, relatives’ residence, or their personal home. Hospice can be offered to patients regardless of the location they refer to as home.
One of the leading myths regarding hospice I’ve encountered is that many people often believe it is reserved only for individuals that may only have a couple of days left to live. The truth is hospice becomes available when a physician informs their patient that their condition is terminal and a cure is no longer attainable.
My experiences as a hospice nurse have given me the chance to witness the blessing of what hospice care can offer to a family. Among the many things I learn from families is that many of them wish they would have known hospice was an option well before they did. I think this is because hospice reduces much of the burden placed on families and provides them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice offers, families can begin to appreciate the short time they have left with the people they love.
I believe this is because the sooner 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 offering care to their family member. And once they understand the relief hospice offers, they are able to start appreciating the short time they have remaining with their loved one.
We help walk families through each and every component of the disease process, so they can understand how disease will advance and what they should come to anticipate. Then, as things arise, our team is available to answer each of their questions and address any concerns they may have. With this knowledge and understanding, families shed the fear of the unknown and are given the resources they need to help their loved ones throughout 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 offers patients as well as their families with spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by many different things, however, it isn’t limited to merely bodily pain.
Hospice even helps to remove the restraints you may believe your condition has put on you. For a few, having the knowledge and understanding what you should expect may be freeing. We do not put restrictions on what our patients can or can’t do. Our goal is to help you be as comfortable and experience each moment that you have left to the fullest together with your loved ones.
Virtualy all hospice care is provided in-home, regardless of the place the patient considers their home. Hospice can be offered at your personal residence, retirement community, assisted living, group homes, or family residences.
Any individual, whether a family member, patient, friend, physician or medical professional, can make a recommendation to Hospice Associates. Referrals are entirely confidential. If you know of someone that is in need of our services, get in touch with us at 504-457-2200 to discuss whether we might be a suitable fit for the person you are concerned about.
The ideal opportunity to learn more about hospice care is prior to you or somebody you care for actually requires hospice care. It is never too late to learn more about hospice or to talk about hospice with family members. By discussing hospice in advance, you ensure that everybody impacted possesses a thorough understanding of what is available to them.
Not at all, individuals of all ages with a life-limiting illness can receive hospice care.
Yes. Your doctor becomes part of our team. We will communicate and consult with your doctor to best understand your personal needs.
To receive hospice care, you don’t need to be sedentary. Our mission is to help our patients live their lives to the fullest. We encourage our patients to do whatever they feel capable of doing and continue to keep on doing the activities 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 decide how they wish to spend the remainder of their lives. Hospice treats the entire person, and their family members are considered as part of the unit of care. It emphasizes pain management and living life fully.
Hospice care, even in-home hospice care is almost always 100% paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something every peson that needs it can afford. Individual insurance can on occasion help fund the cost of things Medicaid and Medicare might not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative care to every qualified* man or woman that resides within a 50 mile radius of New Orleans, which includes Garyville.
Hospice volunteers are generally available to provide different types of support to patients and their loved ones, often including:
Call Us: 504-457-2200
FAX: 504-457-2207
Physician managed hospice
and palliative care