Hospice and Palliative Care
Let us help chart your course.
Hospice care provides a structured approach for patients with terminal illnesses who have a life expectancy of six months or less despite receiving curative treatments.
Plans of care are customized to each patient’s specific needs and preferences, honoring their choices and values. Often, hospice care takes place in the patient’s home, allowing them to remain in a familiar setting with loved ones. Additionally, hospice care supports family members, offering guidance and counseling as they navigate the end-of-life experience.
Pre-Hospice Medicine
Often referred to as palliative, supportive, or serious illness care, it consists of primary and consultative medical care for patients choosing to continue curative treatment when facing an illness threatening their longevity and quality of life.
Hospice Care
When patients reach the terminal stages of a serious illness, they have the option of receiving hospice care through our agency, supervised by our dedicated medical team. Our multidisciplinary team conducts regular evaluations and monitors each patient’s comfort level through scheduled on-site visits. Additionally, they remain on-call 24/7 to address emergencies and offer extra support when necessary. Our hospice agency, accredited by ACHC, has been serving the Greater New Orleans community since 2004.
What We Offer
Palliative & Hospice Care Services
Serious Illness Medicine
Pre-hospice care for patients facing a life threatening illness who wish to continue curative treatment.
Hospice Care at Home
Designed to fit individual needs for patients living at home, in assisted living and/ or in a nursing facility.
Inpatient Hospice Care
Inpatient hospice is offered when appropriate care can no longer be provided at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question? Get answers.
Who pays for pre-hospice and hospice care?
Pre-hospice and palliative medical care are fee-for-service consultative visits requested by a patient or referring physician, much like a visit with your PCP or specialist. The cost of a visit is usually covered by a patient’s health insurance, with the usual co-payment collected from the patient.
Hospice care is a Medicare benefit for qualified seniors that pays for the entire program with little or no cost passed on to the patient.
Can I be cared for by hospice if I reside in a nursing facility or other type of long-term care facility?
Yes, Care Associates will provide hospice services to a patient wherever they live.
How soon after a referral is made will hospice care begin?
Usually, hospice care begins the same day a referral is made in coordination with the patient, their family and the patient’s personal physician.
Is hospice available after hours?
Care Associates caregivers are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Does hospice care hasten the process of dying?
Hospice care prioritizes and guides treatment based on the comfort of patients, not a timeline for dying.
Do hospice medications sedate and prevent the patient from talking or know what is happening?
Hospice medications are given to relieve pain when present, at the smallest doses necessary to achieve comfort. Many of these medications have dose-dependent side effects, such as sedation. Patients and caregivers guide the intensity of use of medications based on personal priorities.
Is hospice affiliated with any religion in particular?
While some religious organizations may operate hospices, hospice care is non-denominational and does not require patients to adhere to any particular set of beliefs.
What specific assistance does hospice provide patients?
Care Associates patients are cared for by a physician-led team of nurses, social workers, hospice certified nursing assistants, chaplains, therapists, and volunteers. Care Associates provides medications, personal care supplies, and medical equipment related to the hospice illness, as well as additional help in the home when needed. We also help to identify other community resources that might be available to you. Our social workers and clergy are available to assist family members as well as patients cope with the challenges they are likely to face during this time.
What will Care Associates do to keep a patient comfortable?
Managing pain is an important part of hospice care. Our staff works with the patient and caregivers to make sure that medication, therapies, and procedures provided achieve the comfort goals identified and agreed to in the patient’s plan of care.
When is it appropriate to seek hospice care?
Hospice care is appropriate for patients facing srious illness when the illness enters its final stges and a life expectancy of six months or less is a reasonable estimate certified by a treating physicians. Hospice care continues as long as the patient remains appropriate and chooses to continue care.
Does hospice provide any help to the family after the patient dies?
Care Associates provides continuing support for grieving caregivers for at least 13 months following the death of a loved one.
Useful Resources
CaringInfo
Provides information and support for planning, caring for a loved one, living with an illness, or grieving a loss.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Offers educational publications, newsletters, fact sheets, and audio conferences related to the unique needs of caregivers.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | Hospice Benefits
Information on VA hospice services and benefits. Your VA or hospice social worker can provide more details about this financial resource if needed.
Medicare Hospice Benefits
This official government booklet includes information about the Medicare hospice benefit.