Hospice Care in Gardere, LA

What Hospice Care Looks Like for Gardere Families

Hospice is not simply a medical service. It is a full circle of support that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of your loved one and everyone who loves them. Our interdisciplinary team builds a personalized care plan around what matters most to your family, guided by your loved one’s wishes and values at every step.

Our hospice services in Gardere include:

• Registered Nurse Visits – Skilled nurses visit regularly to manage pain, monitor symptoms, and adjust care as your loved one’s needs change.
• Certified Nursing Aide Support – CNAs assist with personal hygiene, bathing, and daily comfort care.
• Medical Director Oversight – A physician-led team guides the clinical plan in coordination with your loved one’s own doctor.
• Social Work Services – Licensed social workers provide emotional support, help with practical needs, and assist with care coordination.
• Spiritual Care – Chaplains and spiritual care coordinators offer compassionate presence, regardless of faith background.
• Wound Care – Specialized support for managing wounds related to the hospice diagnosis.
• Bereavement Support – Grief counseling and check-ins for families, both during care and after a loss.
• Veteran-Centered Care – We proudly honor veterans with care and recognition that acknowledges their service.

Care is provided wherever your loved one is most comfortable, whether that is a private home, assisted living facility, or nursing home in the Gardere area.

Explore Our: Care Services

Understanding Your Coverage Options

According to Medicare guidelines, the Medicare Hospice Benefit covers hospice services for patients who have a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of six months or less, if the illness runs its expected course, and who choose to focus on comfort rather than curative treatment.

When hospice is covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, this typically includes:

• Physician and nursing services
• Medications related to the hospice diagnosis
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Home health aide and homemaker services
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy as needed for comfort
• Social work, spiritual care, and grief counseling

If you are unsure whether your loved one qualifies, our team will walk you through the eligibility criteria in plain language and at your own pace. 

Learn more: Hospice Eligibility

How to Get Started 

Many families tell us they wish they had called sooner. If you are already asking questions, it may be the right time to have an honest conversation with someone who can help.

Here is how it works: 

1. Give us a call – Reach our team at (225) 209-5629 and speak with a real person who will listen without pressure, answer your questions honestly, and give you all the time you need.
2. We learn and explain – Our team takes a careful look at your loved one’s diagnosis and current situation, connects with their physician, and walks you through what hospice care would look like for your family specifically.
3. Care comes to you – Once your loved one is admitted, a dedicated care team is in place and available around the clock from that day forward.

There is no pressure, no obligation, and no decision you have to rush. We are here to give you clarity, not push you toward anything.

Common Questions from Gardere Families

• What is the difference between hospice and palliative care? Hospice care is comfort-focused care for patients with a terminal diagnosis who are no longer pursuing curative treatment. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of serious illness. Both focus on improving quality of life and managing symptoms.
• Does choosing hospice mean we are giving up? Not at all. Choosing hospice is a decision to honor your loved one with the comfort and dignity they deserve, and to give your family the space to be fully present during the time that remains. Families in communities like Alford often tell us that making this choice felt like finally being able to breathe again after a long period of uncertainty and exhaustion.
• Can hospice care be provided in a nursing home or assisted living facility in Gardere? Yes. Foundations Hospice brings care directly to wherever your loved one resides, including skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities serving the Alford area and St. Helena Parish.
• Is your team available after hours, on weekends, and on holidays? Yes. Our team provides 24/7 on-call support every day of the year. For families in rural communities where the nearest emergency resource may be a long drive away, knowing that a caring and knowledgeable person will always answer that call is something we take as a fundamental part of the promise we make to every family we serve.
• How do we know when it is the right time to reach out? A conversation with your loved one’s physician is always a meaningful place to begin.