This is such a difficult time for everyone in the community, especially those in the field of health care. Our mission at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, since its beginning, has been to not turn anyone away based on their ability to pay. Though never verbalized but understood is the philosophy that we, as a hospice, accept anyone facing a life-limiting illness, including those with COVID-19.

Hospice care by its very definition is caring for patients and families at the end of life. Providing those entrusted to our care with the dignity, love, and support that all deserve and have a right to, is paramount during one’s final days. As a long-standing, quality health care agency our patient safety standards have always been at high.  That said, and before the government mandated stay-at-home, social distancing and use of personal protection equipment, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice was executing its emergency plan. The plan has included limiting exposure to patients at the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice, educating and evaluating patients and families in our in-home program, as well as counseling clients at the Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement Center.

At the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice, visiting hours are limited for the safety of all patients, visitors and staff.  For this reason, we advise calling ahead.  All visitors are screened prior to entry and are required to complete and sign a questionnaire regarding their exposure and have their temperatures taken. We have asked visitors who have any type of respiratory illness to reconsider visits.  Families are encouraged to use technology to keep in touch with their loved ones. People understand this and the support from families has been tremendous. The staff at the Home for Hospice follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines regarding temperature charting, enhanced use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), strict social distancing, and stay-at-home procedures when not at work.

The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center has continued to counsel those in grief due to the loss of a loved one by holding individual counseling sessions via phone and face-to-face, with video conferencing. Counselors have successfully launched group support meetings via video conferencing that are secure and HIPAA compliant. The complete schedule of group support meetings can be found on our website at KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org. The Bereavement Center can also be reached by calling (973)-948-2283 to schedule individual counseling.

At our Administration headquarters only essential personnel report to the office, again limiting exposure to keep our staff healthy and safe. There are daily video conferencing meetings to stay up to date with our patients’ needs. Our medical and support staff, nurses, aides, social workers and chaplains continue their work in the field, caring for patients in their homes while strictly adhering to CDC guidelines.

Our community education and outreach programs are being held via livestream video conferencing and there is a virtual “How to Prepare your Advance Directive” using the Five Wishes workbook planned on April 16, National Health Care Decisions Day.  During these uncertain times, the need to have your healthcare wishes known by your family and doctors, cannot be overstated, especially if you become unable to speak for yourself.  Information on registering for the workshop, which includes a FREE copy of the “Five Wishes,” workbook (value $5) is available on our website or by calling (973)-383-0115.

Although there’s an element of fear in contracting the coronavirus, it is with education and strict adherence to the CDC guidelines that we continue our mission to care for our patients and families.  If you know of someone facing a life-limiting illness, please reach out to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice to see how we can help. We have served the community for 40-years and we are poised to continue serving through this pandemic and for many years to come.

How to Talk to Your Children About COVID-19

Starting the Conversation:

If you have not talked to your children about COVID-19 yet, now is the time to do so. Given how global this pandemic has gotten, it is likely that they have some knowledge already about the virus. The first step in talking to your children is asking them what they already know and what they have heard about the virus. Then, ask them how they are feeling and if they have any questions. It is important to answer these questions with basic information and not too much detail. Let their questions guide the conversation and don’t try to cover everything in one conversation. Keep the door open for them to ask questions as they think of them.

Handling Misinformation/Misinterpretation:

It is hard for children, and even adults, to fully understand the medical side of the illness. Children may have received misinformation (they were told incorrect information) or have misconceptions (they were told correct information but have interpreted it incorrectly.) To identify these, when asking your children what they have learned to be sure to ask your children to explain what it means. This will help you determine what they truly understand and what additional information they may need. 

Handling Fear:

Avoid using fear to get your children to follow your recommendations. This will only cause more anxiety. Also, be cautious of using examples in the past or trying to reassure them that this situation could be worse. This will likely make them think it will get worse. Be sure to ask your children’s fears and skepticism’s, children often have different fears and worries than adults. You can’t reassure your children if you do not know what they are afraid of. Otherwise, you are not reassuring them, but telling them why you aren’t worried. 

Be Honest:

Do not pretend that everything is okay. Children can pick up when adults are not genuine and honest. Be sure to provide appropriate assurance but don’t provide false reassurance. Rather than telling them to “Don’t be worried,” instead, help them learn to deal with the uncertainty and fear. 

Tell them What’s Being Done to Keep Them Safe:

This lockdown and the inability to participate in their old activities can be very stressful on children. I addition if they see their friends not following social distancing rules they may become jealous or see it as unfair and ask questions. It is important to stand firm in your rules and tell them why it is important.

Establish a Routine:

Establish a routine to restore a sense of predictability. For children on the autism spectrum, this is particularly important, as well as children who were anxious or depressed before this pandemic. Reach out to your mental health/pediatric health providers for advice and assistance. 

Dealing with distress:

• Healthy Distractions: Reading, new or old hobbies, puzzles, board games. 
• Creative Outlets: Writing, art, blogging or music can help express feelings. 
• Physical Activities: Daily walks, exercise, yoga or even learning dances on TikTok!
• Relaxation Activities: Meditation, mindfulness, guided imagery

Remember to take care of yourself:

As adults we will likely have concerns about our health and those of family/friends, don’t feel the need to only focus on your children’s. When children are highly stressed they may become more demanding, regress socially with their friends and peers, act less mature, etc this is because they are overwhelmed with their concerns and have to cope with that before thinking of others. Adults may act this way as well. While the crisis brings out the best in people, it can also bring out a lot of stress, and we likely won’t be at our best all the time. It is important to remember to be patient with children, other adults, and yourself. 

For more information visit:

https://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org/resources/covid-19-pandemic-resources/

https://us.cnn.com/2020/03/05/health/coronavirus-how-to-talk-to-children-trnd/index.html

Update 3.18.20

The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is working closely with local, state and federal agencies to respond to potential cases of novel Corona Virus or COVID-19.   As you are aware, cases of COVID -19, the disease caused by this coronavirus, have occurred in growing numbers both globally and in the USA.  The situation is evolving, but what we do know is that reducing the spread of this virus and reducing the risk to our employees, volunteers, patients, families and community members is our utmost priority.

We have implemented our Emergency Operations Plan, effective March 12, 2020.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice will continue with its operations, as usual, adhering to CDC guidelines for infection control and visitation.  Direct fieldwork staff will be working remotely and visiting patients to and from their own homes.  The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center will be closed to in-person sessions and groups meetings, effective March 16, 2020.

Our offices and Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice remain open, with social distancing and revised visitation protocols put into place, per local, state and federal mandates.

Necessary meetings and trainings will be held by telephone conferencing.   Elevated sanitizing procedures have been implemented.

Providing care to our patients and families will continue, as it has for the past 40 years.  These emergency preemptive measures will stay in place as long as deemed necessary.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation Board of Directors, staff and volunteers maintain our continued commitment to our mission and the people we are privileged to serve.

Sincerely,

Marlina Schetting, MSW, LCSW, CT
Chief Operating Officer
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice

In an preemptive effort to limit the exposure of our clients and staff to the possible spread of the COVID-19, coronavirus, all in-office individual counseling sessions and support group meetings normally held at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center have been temporarily suspended.

You are not alone and our counselors are available to counsel with you via telephone. They are working now to re-schedule/schedule your session via phone, instead of an office visit.

Please call our main number 973-948-2283 if you have any questions or immediate needs. If we are counseling another client your call will be returned ASAP. Please be sure to leave a message with your name, phone number, and indicate which counselor you would like to return your call.

You may also contact us via email with our concerns using the contact us form below. Thank you for your understanding of these preemptive measures as we strive you keep our clients, staff and the community safe.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is implementing agency wide protocol as advised by the Center for Disease Control and the County of Sussex Department of Health and Human Services. We are taking these precautions to protect our patients, their families, our staff and others in the community from contracting and/or spreading COVID-19.

At the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice we require all incoming visitors to reconsider their visit if they are experiencing even mild symptoms of the virus. All common areas at the facility are restricted.

ALL visitors to the Home for Hospice, the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center and our administrative office, including employees, and board members are required to complete a brief questionnaire regarding their exposure to COVID-19 and or symptoms. ALL visitors may also be subject to further screening, including a temperature scan and may be required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as facemasks.

All in-home hospice patients and their families are required to complete and sign the questionnaire. For hospice patients that reside in assisted living or nursing homes Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will continue all services and is in working in complete cooperation with the protocols established by those facilities under the protocols established by the CDC.

All Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice staff is following the appropriate CDC guidelines for Transmission Based Precautions, and using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) properly.

1. Have you engaged in international travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission. (China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong) __YES  __NO

2. Do you have any signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a fever, cough, and sore throat. __YES  __NO

3. In the last 14 days, have you had contact with someone with or under investigation for COVID19, or are ill with respiratory illness. __YES  __NO

4. Do you reside in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring. __YES  __NO

The official theme for Social Work Month in March 2020 is “Social Workers: Generations Strong.”

Celebrated each March, National Professional Social Work Month is an opportunity for social workers across the country to turn the spotlight on the profession and highlight the important contributions they make to society.

Our nation’s almost 700,000 social workers have amazing tenacity and talent.

They confront some of the most challenging issues facing individuals, families, communities and society and forge solutions that help people reach their full potential and make our nation a better place to live.

The Role of a Social Worker

How Social Workers Help With End-of-Life Care

We celebrate the contributions of all social workers during National Social Work Month in March.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice – Let us help.

The vast majority of Americans say what they want at the end of life is to die in their own homes, as comfortable and pain-free as possible. The hospice philosophy is about making sure that a patient’s death experience reflects their wishes. Here are five ways that Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice helps to deliver this:

We give you comfort. The staff at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice are experts at managing life- limiting illness. Our team ensures that medication, therapies and treatments all support a care plan that is centered on the patient’s goals. And our services can be offered wherever the patient calls home, allowing friends and family to visit freely—something they might not be able to do in a hospital ICU setting.

Hospice gives you peace. Beyond physical relief, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice strives to help patients and families find emotional and spiritual comfort during what is often a very traumatic time. We are able to provide families with counselors, therapists, spiritual care advisors and bereavement professionals who can best support their struggles with death and grieving. These services are part of the hospice benefit, covered by Medicare, Medicaid or most private insurances

Hospice gives you something extra. Hospice is not only about compassionate medical care and control of pain. Art and music therapists inspire joy; pet therapy and massages are offered in addition to many other programs.

Hospice gives caregivers guidance. Most families are not prepared to face the death of a loved one. In addition to caring for patients, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice also offers services for families and loved ones that provide emotional support and advice to help family members become confident caregivers and adjust to the future with grief  support for up to a year.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice gives you more. Be it more joy, more love, or more quality of life in general, the goal of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is to offer patients the ability to enjoy the time they have remaining, and create meaningful memories for their families. We offer more moments of life.

John Post

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice invites the community to Dealer Appreciation Night at Subaru World of Newton. The event will be held on Friday, November 29 between 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. during the dealerships annual Black Friday Car Sales Event.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will provide light refreshment and will be on hand to spread the word about the great work being done by Hospice because of the generous support of Subaru World of Newton. For five years Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has been the recipient of the Subaru Share the Love campaign. For every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased from November 14, through January 2, 2020, the purchaser/lessee can choose the local “Hometown Charity”, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, as the recipient of a $250 donation from Subaru.

“We welcome this opportunity to meet with and talk to the community about the great work being done by Subaru World of Newton and Subaru Corporate,” said John Quinlan, Director of Foundation at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.  “Subaru has donated over eighty thousand dollars via the Share the Love campaign, which goes directly towards patient care to those in our community.”

“Stop in for great discounts and incentives during the annual Black Friday Car Sales Event – Dealer Appreciation Night,” said Brooke Canty, Business Development Manager for World Auto Group.  “If anyone has been putting off purchasing a new vehicle the Share the Love campaign is the perfect time to get a quality all-wheel drive vehicle while supporting a local non-profit organization.”

Subaru World of Newton will also hold several buyer incentives on the 29th including the first 25 people will receive $500 towards the purchase of a new vehicle and applicable participants may also be eligible for a FREE 50″ television with the purchase of a new vehicle.

For more information please contact the dealership directly at 973-579-5000.

Each butterfly pictured represents a child that has used the services of the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center in the last five years.  You can try to count them, but it will be easier to tell you that there are 296 butterflies on this wall.  The Thursday before Thanksgiving is nationally recognized as Children’s Grief Awareness Day, so on this November 21^st, the bereavement center wanted to give a visual of how many children have had to deal with anticipatory grief and bereavement.

The day is designed to help us all become more aware of the needs of grieving children — and of the benefits they obtain through the support of others. Children’s Grief Awareness Day is an opportunity to make sure that grieving children receive the support they need.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Reminds the Community that “#SoonerIsBetter!”

(Newton, NJ) – November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and hospice and palliative care programs across the country are reaching out to raise awareness about hospice and palliative care. Hospice is not a place but is high-quality care that enables patients and families to focus on living as fully as possible despite a life-limiting illness. Palliative care brings this holistic model of care to people earlier in the course of a serious illness.

“Every year, nearly 1.4 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospices in this country,” said Edo Banach, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “These highly-trained professionals ensure that patients and families find dignity, respect, and love during life’s most difficult journey.”

Hospice and palliative care programs provide pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible.

Hospice and palliative care combines the highest level of quality medical care with the emotional and spiritual support that families need most when facing a serious illness or the end of life.

Throughout the month of November, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will be joining organizations across the nation hosting activities that will help the community understand how important hospice and palliative care can be.

More information about hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is available from Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice by call 973-383-0115 or visiting our website at KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org or from NHPCO’s CaringInfo.org.

Vides and stories from families showing the many ways hospice and palliative care make special moments possible can be found at www.momentsoflife.org.