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The families who reside in and near Mandeville are known for their sense of community, caring nature, as well as strong family bonds. When difficult times happen, the people of Mandeville have a reputation for coming together and supporting one another, just as they did when Katrina rained chaos upon Southern Louisiana’s communities. Sadly, life itself has many storms, and while the weather cause most storms, others are just part of life. Likely none more traumatizing than when someone we care about develops an incurable illness. Still, these storms happen to each of us. Eventually, we all will have to cope with the passing of our loved ones because all of our lives will ultimately come to its end.
When a person we love is reaching the end of their life, many of us are poorly prepared and oftentimes at a loss as to where to turn for the guidance we require to help us traverse this challenging and often unfamiliar aspect of life. In most instances, hospice is the solution we are seeking to help us through the difficulties of caring for our loved ones 24-7.
Many Mandeville natives probably believe that hospice is a place which people go to pass away. But, hospice is not a destination, and it isn’t about dying. The truth is, hospice is a compassionate, holistic medical treatment which improves the quality of life for our patients and their family caregivers. It also permits individuals who have a terminal condition to experience the best life possible in the time they have been given.
Hospice also allows people nearing the end of their lives to continue to live in Mandeville and reside in their homes with their family members near to them. In fact, ninety percent of the folks who elect hospice as a treatment method continue to remain in their homes up until their passing. It doesn’t matter if they live in a house, a retirement community, or an apartment in Mandeville because hospice is almost always conducted in a patient’s home, regardless of the place they call home. Hospice Associates’ specialized staff will come to your Mandeville home and administer the compassionate care you or your loved one requires, and we will provide it whenever 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 instill so much dread?
How could a single word often cause some people to cringe?
One word that a lot of people never want to hear…
The word is HOSPICE, and it is not as scary as some people may make it out to be. Hospice should not be something to be feared, it is something to be embraced.
Hospice was initially a shelter intended for those with a life-limiting illness– a place where the dying would go to live out the remainder of their lives. Today hospice is no longer considered a destination. Instead, it is now viewed as more of a service that provides comfort and care to patients in their own homes. Whether that home is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, a member of the families’ house, or their own home. Hospice can be administered to patients regardless of where they refer to as home.
Among the leading misconceptions regarding hospice I have come across is that many people frequently think hospice care is reserved only for patients that only have a short while left to live. The truth is hospice becomes available when a physician informs their patient that their disease is incurable and a cure is no longer attainable.
My personal experiences as a hospice nurse have allowed me the to witness the blessing of what hospice care provides to a family. One of the many things I commonly hear from family members is that many 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 family members and gives them peace of mind. Once they understand the relief hospice provides, families can start to appreciate the time they have left with the people they love.
I believe this is because the sooner hospice is made available to a patient, the sooner they are able to let go of the stress and fear of being the only ones giving care to their loved one. And once they see the freedom it provides, they have the opportunity to start appreciating the short time they have remaining with their loved one.
Initially, we walk family members through every aspect of the disease process, so they see how the illness will advance and what they can come to expect. Then, as things develop, our team is available to answer all of their questions and address any concerns they might have. With this knowledge and understanding, families lose the fear of the unknown 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 provides patients and family members spiritual, psychosocial, and physical comfort. Pain can be caused by several things, but it is not restricted to just physical pain. I have come to realize that spiritual pain could be equally challenging to lessen as physical suffering . Our chaplain and social workers labor together with our nurses to treat all of the pains that may exist.
Hospice also aids to remove the barriers you may suspect your condition has placed on you. For many, gaining the awareness and understanding what to expect can be liberating. We don’t put restrictions on what our patients can or can not do. Our goal is to help you be as comfortable and live every moment that you have remaining to the fullest with your loved ones.
Almost all hospice care is provided in-home, irrespective of the place the patient calls home. Hospice Care can be provided at your private home, nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, or family homes.
Any person, whether a member of the family, patient, friend, personal doctor or medical professional, can make a recommendation to Hospice Associates. Referrals are completely 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 or not we might be a good fit for the person you have concerns for.
The most suitable time to learn about hospice care is prior to you or somebody you love actually needs it. However, itis never too late to find out about hospice or to discuss hospice with your loved ones. By discussing hospice well in advance, you ensure that everybody affected possesses a good understanding of what is available to them.
No, people of any age with a terminal illness can receive hospice treatment.
Yes. Your family physician becomes part of our team. Our team will be in touch and partner with your doctor to better understand your individual needs.
To qualify for hospice, you do not need to be inactive. Our mission is to help our patients live life to the fullest. We encourage our patients to do whatever they feel up to and continue to keep on doing the things that bring them happiness.What makes hospice special is that it focuses on patient care and not on a cure. Hospice care makes it possible for people which have developed a terminal illness to specify just how they would like to spend the rest of their life. Hospice ministers to the whole 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 care is usually completely covered by Medicare and Medicaid, so hospice care is something every peson that requires can afford. Individual insurance can on occasion help fund the cost of items Medicaid and Medicare might not cover.
Hospice Associates provides hospice and palliative care to any qualified* individual that resides within a fifty mile radius of New Orleans, that includes Mandeville.
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