Patient Care
A Holistic Approach to Care
The Hospice of Baton Rouge’s patient care and services are guided by Individual Plans of Care that are developed for our patients and their loved ones by our interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, aides and volunteers.
Our Services Include
- Palliative Care (Comfort Care), not Curative Treatment
- Patient-Centered Care with an Emphasis on Quality of Life
- 24-Hour, On-Call Nursing Available as Needed in Addition to Scheduled Visits
- Psychosocial and Spiritual Support for Patient and Loved Ones
- Medication Assistance Related to the Illness
- Equipment and Supplies Related to the Illness
- Bereavement Follow-up for Loved Ones
- Pediatric Hospice Service
Levels of Patient Care:
Routine Home Care – As long as the patient’s symptoms are under control, the hospice team supports the caregivers in providing this level of care in the home setting, whether that is a private residence, assisted living or long-term care facility such as a nursing home. Most patients will spend the largest percentage of their hospice experience in routine home care.
General Inpatient Care – As part of our full spectrum of hospice services, The Hospice of Baton Rouge provides short term inpatient care stays for patients in need of symptom control. At The Butterfly Wing®, our Inpatient Unit, patients receive round-the-clock supervised care for symptoms that can not be controlled in their home setting. The Hospice of Baton Rouge is the most experienced inpatient care hospice provider in this area. Visit The Butterfly Wing
Respite - If a patient’s family is the primary source of care and cannot meet the patient's needs due to caregiver stress or other extenuating circumstances, a patient may temporarily be admitted to an inpatient environment to give the family a needed break or respite. Respite care is limited to five consecutive days at a time. Once that period expires, the patient would be discharged back to home.
Continuous Care - If a patient develops physical or emotional symptoms that aren’t easily managed with routine care, continuous care may be an option. Continuous care provides more intense care in the patient’s home environment. A nurse and/or a home health aide will remain in the patient's home environment for a minimum of 8 up to 24 hours per day to administer medications, treatments, and support until the symptoms are under control. Some examples of symptoms requiring continuous care would be unrelieved pain, severe nausea and vomiting, severe shortness of breath, anxiety or panic attacks, or a breakdown in the primary caregiver support system. Continuous care is considered a short term level of care and is reevaluated every 24 hours.
Patient Programs
We offer a variety of programs for your loved one such as the We Honor Veterans program, a pinning ceremony for patients that have served the country; the Pet Peace of Mind program, to help relieve stress associated with providing care for a patient’s pet; and Five Wishes, a living will to help you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself
Eligibility
- Patient has a life-limiting illness with six months or less to live
- Patient is under the care of a primary physician
- Patient desires hospice services for palliative comfort care and is no longer seeking curative treatment
- Patient lives in our geographical service area which is within 50 miles of our office in Baton Rouge
Fees
Hospice services may be covered through Medicare/Medicaid and some private insurers. In addition, no one has ever been turned away by The Hospice of Baton Rouge because of an inability to pay. As the first nonprofit hospice provider in the city, the generous support and donations we receive from the Baton Rouge Community ensures that The Hospice of Baton Rouge is able to provide our full spectrum of hospice services to all patients regardless of the financial resources.
Our Service Area
East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, East Feliciana Parish, West Feliciana Parish, Ascension Parish, Livingston Parish, Iberville Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Pointe Coupee Parish, St. Helena Parish, Assumption Parish, St. James Parish, and St. John the Baptist Parish.
"Thank you for the many gestures of support you have offered since the passing of my beloved spouse. Dr. Weaver, her discharging physician at the General, suggested that we discharge her into your care with the words: “It is the Hospice care I would have for my family”, and I can see why! Yours is one of the most caring entities I have ever dealt with. Heartfelt thanks. As far as the Family Evaluation of Hospice Care survey is concerned, whatever the question, give yourself the highest marks. Special thanks for “A Guide Through Grief.” It was most helpful. I am beginning to rejoin the human race."