Many grieving people wonder if they would benefit from joining a support group. Support groups are a time-tested method of help for people struggling with all sorts of difficulties. But groups are not magic; there are no words that can be uttered within a group setting that can make grief disappear. 

Will a support group help?

Groups are places to work together to support one another; they are places where everyone gives and takes. Not everyone will find a support group suitable; each individual grieves in his or her own way.  For many, however, support groups have much to offer, such as:

Validation: Grief is experienced in so many ways — physical, emotional, and spiritual. One needs a place to recognize that these reactions are part of the journey of grief. Being with other grieving people can reaffirm that one is not going crazy. While every loss is unique, through support groups one can bask in the support of others who have experienced loss and understand.

Time away: For many people, a support group can be a break from the loneliness and the boredom that often come with grief.

Suggestions for coping: There is no single solution to dealing with loss but members of a support group can offer a range of alternatives. By listening to stories of how others cope with a particular problem, one can find the solution that might work best.

Support groups offer two other gifts: they provide hope by providing models that reaffirm that one can survive loss; and participating in a support group can also help the griever can find new empathy, new understandings, and renewed strengths.

The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center offers support groups in the following locations open to anyone who is suffering a loss of a loved one through death. The support groups are on-going, free of charge, and no pre-registration is required. For more information please call 973-948-2282.

Medicare will mail new Medicare cards between April 2018 and April 2019. Your new card will have a new Medicare Number that’s unique to you, instead of your Social Security Number. This will help to protect your identity.

Things to know about your new Medicare card

• You don’t need to take any action to get your new Medicare card.
• The new card won’t change your Medicare coverage or benefits.
• Medicare will never ask you to give us personal or private information to get your new Medicare number and card. Learn more about the limited situations in which Medicare can call you.
• There’s no charge for your new card.

Watch out for scams

Scam artists may try to get your current Medicare number and other personal information by contacting you about your new Medicare card. They often claim to be from Medicare and use various scams to get your Medicare Number including:

• Asking you to confirm your Medicare or Social Security Number so they can send you a new card.
• Telling you there’s a charge for your new card and they need to verify your personal information.
• Threatening to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your Medicare Number or other personal information.

If someone calls you and asks for your Medicare number or other personal information, hang up and call  1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).  

Visit https://www.medicare.gov/ for more information.

HACKETTSTOWN –  The professionals at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice proudly present the Living with Grief four part lecture series hosted at the Hackettstown Medical Center on 651 Willow Grove Street in Hackettstown on four Tuesday evenings, September 5, 12, 19, 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m .

Presenter Cecelia T. Clayton, MPH, Executive Director of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, will work with attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the effect that grief has on our lives, our loved ones, and our relationships.  The free series is offered to the community for anyone who has experienced a loss, who is helping another cope with loss, or who would like to learn more about the grieving process. Registration is required with limited seating. Please call 973-383-0115 or 800-882-1117, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or click here to register online.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill and bereavement counseling for those who have lost loved ones. Serving Sussex and Warren Counties NJ and Northeast PA; please call 800-882-1117 to reach any of our services at either office; Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 104 Bennett Ave., Milford, PA.  Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is an independently owned hospice program and proud to be the preferred hospice provider for Newton Medical Center and area Atlantic Health Care System.  The award-winning Home for Hospice is located in Fredon, NJ. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center recently opened their doors to a permanent home at 5 Plains Rd. in Augusta with satellite offices in Pike and Warren Counties.

For hospice programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org or Facebook.com/KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org.

Milford, PA – August, 2017 – Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is proud to announce that Joseph A. Cirello, M.D., H.M.D.C., of Milford Family Practice, was recently granted the Hospice Medical Director Certified credential by the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board. Dr. Cirello was recognized for his commitment to improving the quality of life by displaying professional competency in the hospice industry.

Hospice practice includes patient care, medication management, performance improvement, engagement in interdisciplinary group (IDG) activities, and much more. Professional certification affirms a knowledge and experience base for hospice physicians to display commitment to their career, dedication to patient and family care, and the sustainability of the hospice organization and industry. HMDC designation is granted for six years and is renewed through continued validation of knowledge and re-assessment.

Dr. Cirello is board-certified in family medicine and began practicing in Milford, Pennsylvania, in 2009.  A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and St. Matthews University School of Medicine, he completed his residency training at Overlook Medical Center.  Dr. Cirello accepts patients of all ages into his family practice, and is committed to his community. 

He serves as the Delaware Valley School physician, he is a board member for the Center for Development Disabilities, and medical director of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. In addition, he is on the Palliative Care Committee at Newton Medical Center.

“We are honored to have Dr. Cirello serve as a medical director at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice,” said Cecelia Clayton, Executive Director. “Dr. Cirello always brought an incredible wealth of knowledge to the team and an unparalleled depth of caring to the patients we serve.  This additional credential certification as a Hospice Medical Director benefits not only our organization but also our patients with expanded, specialized hospice care.”

Currently there are approximately 800 Certified Hospice Medical Directors across the country.

Dr. Cirello is on staff at Newton Medical Center, is affiliated with Atlantic Medical Group and is a participating provider of the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization.

The Hospice Medical Director Certification Board (HMDCB) serves as an independent, not-for-profit certifying body to administer a certification program for hospice medical directors and other physicians who provide hospice care for patients. The mission of HMDCB is to relieve suffering and improve quality of life by promoting the excellence and professional competency of hospice medical directors.

Information about the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board including a directory of certified hospice physicians is available at www.HMDCB.org.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has developed Project Medicine Drop as an important component of its effort to halt the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs. It allows consumers to dispose of unused and expired medications anonymously, seven days a week, 365 days a year, at “prescription drug drop boxes” located within the headquarters of participating police departments.

Each Project Medicine Drop box is installed indoors, affixed to the floor or wall in a secure area within police department headquarters, within view of law enforcement officers, in an area to which members of the public may be admitted to dispose of their unused medications. Their prominent “Project Medicine Drop” logos make the boxes highly visible and recognizable.

A complete list of drop locations in New Jersey can be found here.

Some people mistakenly think hospice care is just about dying…that hospice is the place you call when there’s nothing more that can be done. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hospice helps patients and families focus on living. Hospice care brings comfort, dignity, and peace to help people with a life-limiting illness live every moment of life to the fullest. It also reaches out to provide support for the family and friends who love and care for them. Last year, 1.56 million dying Americans were served by the nation’s hospice providers. Yet, there are some important facts about hospice that people don’t know. And this may be keeping people from getting the best care possible, when they need it most.

1. Hospice is not a place; it’s high-quality medical care that helps the patient and family caregivers focus on comfort and quality of life.
2. Hospice is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, most insurance plans, HMOs, and managed care plans. Fear of costs should never prevent a person from accessing hospice care.
3. Hospice serves anyone with a life-limiting illness, regardless of age or type of illness.
4. Hospice serves people of all backgrounds and traditions; the core values of hospice—allowing the patient to be with family, including spiritual and emotional support, treating pain—cut across all cultures.
5. Research has shown that the majority of Americans would prefer to be at home at the end of life’s journey—hospice makes this possible for most people.
6. Hospice serves people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
7. Hospice patients and families can receive care for six months or longer.
8. A person may keep his or her referring physician involved while receiving hospice care.
9. Hospice offers grief and bereavement services to family members and the community.
10. To get the most out of what hospice offers, it’s better to have care for more than just a few days.

If this information about hospice surprises you, take the time to find out more. The best time to learn about hospice is BEFORE someone in your family is facing a healthcare crisis. For more information, contact Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice at 800-882-1117. This information is provided by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation is passionately dedicated to providing Hospice care for the terminally ill and Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones. Serving North and Northwest NJ and the Pike County area PA; please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of our services. 

Anthony Giordano of Hamburg, NJ was named Finance Manager at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in early May.  Anthony, or Tony as he likes to be called, has twenty-five years of accounting experience.  Five of those years was spent working for non-profit organizations, most recently Daytop New Jersey, a substance abuse treatment center for adolescents.

“I have a passion for working for non-profit organizations. It’s a plus to work for an organization that helps so many people.

“We are pleased to have Tony join our team. He brings years of accounting experience and his background in working with non-profit organizations is invaluable,” said Cecelia Clayton, Executive Director.

Tony has worked for various industries and has owned his own tax preparation and software businesses. He received his degree in accouting after realizing his love for reconciling numbers.

Tony grew up in Sparta and currently resides in Crystal Springs in Hamburg with his wife of 18 years Linda. Tony and Linda have three children, Melissa, Paul and Anthony. His hobbies include reading, bicycling, walking and traveling. The last book he read was “Tuesday’s with Morrie.”

“I am excited to work here, and look forward to meeting everyone,” said Tony.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation provides Hospice care for the terminally ill and Bereavement for those who have lost loved ones. Please call 800 882 1117 to reach any of their services or visit their web site https://karenannquinlanhospice.org/. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is fully accredited by the New Jersey Department of Health as a certified Medicare and Medicaid Hospice, accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), and a member of the NJ Hospice Organization and the National Hospice Organization.

When facing the many challenges at the end of life, families should be able to focus on ensuring comfort and quality of life for their loved one. But studies show that concerns about paying for end-of-life care often take priority. As baby boomers age, and provide care for their aging parents, these concerns are justified. In addition to providing quality medical care and emotional support, hospice care can also ease these financial concerns. For more than 30 years, the Medicare Hospice Benefit has provided a comprehensive and cost-effective model of end-of-life care. This benefit covers virtually all aspects of hospice care with little out-of-pocket expense to the patient or family. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports that more than 10 million Medicare beneficiaries have received this high quality care at the end of life. About 80 percent of hospice care is paid for through the Medicare Hospice Benefit. In addition, most private health plans HMOs, and Medicaid in 47 States and the District of Columbia cover hospice services. Medicare covers these hospice services and pays nearly all of their costs:

• Professional services (like nursing care and physician services)
• Nursing care
• Medical equipment (like wheelchairs or hospital beds in the home)
• Medical supplies (like bandages and catheters)
• Drugs for symptom control and pain relief
• Short-term care in the hospital, including respite and inpatient for pain and symptom management
• Social work services
• Dietary counseling
• Grief support

If your loved one does not have coverage through Medicare, Medicaid or a private insurance company, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will work you and your family to ensure needed services are provided. Hospice and palliative care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. By helping to alleviate financial concerns, The Medicare Hospice Benefit can ease some of the burdens often associated with caring for a seriously ill loved one, allowing families to focus on the quality and loving care that everyone deserves. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice can provide you with all the information needed. Please call us at 800-882-1117 and ask to speak to one of our social workers. This information is provided by the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Many grieving people wonder if they would benefit from joining a support group. Support groups are a time-tested method of help for people struggling with all sorts of difficulties. But groups are not magic; there are no words that can be uttered within a group setting that can make grief disappear. 

Groups are places to work together to support one another; they are places where everyone gives and takes. Not everyone will find a support group suitable; each individual grieves in his or her own way.  For many, however, support groups have much to offer, such as:

Validation: Grief is experienced in so many ways — physical, emotional, and spiritual. One needs a place to recognize that these reactions are part of the journey of grief. Being with other grieving people can reaffirm that one is not going crazy. While every loss is unique, through support groups one can bask in the support of others who have experienced loss and understand.

Time away: For many people, a support group can be a break from the loneliness and the boredom that often come with grief.

Suggestions for coping: There is no single solution to dealing with loss but members of a support group can offer a range of alternatives. By listening to stories of how others cope with a particular problem, one can find the solution that might work best.

Support groups offer two other gifts: they provide hope by providing models that reaffirm that one can survive loss; and participating in a support group can also help the griever find new empathy, new understandings, and renewed strengths.

The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center, located on 5 Plains Road in Augusta, holds group support meetings the first and third Wednesday of each month from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Group support groups are also held at our satellite locations on 214 Washington Street, in Hackettstown monthly on the third Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. – 11:3 a.m. and at the United Methodist Church on Ann Street in Milford PA on the fourth Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

All support groups are open to not only those who have used hospice services, but also to anyone in the community whom is suffering the loss of a loved one. For more information on all the programs that are offered at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center please call 973-948-2283 or visit KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org.

Why Shred?

Why shred your documents and paperwork that are unneeded, out of date, or no longer relevant? Why not just throw them out?

Everyone knows that we should protect ourselves from cyber identity theft, but it’s easy to forget that the threat of “paper” identity theft is still very real. Don’t take chances—shred! On-site shredding is the primary way to safeguard personal information. Once you’ve gathered all of your documents designated for destruction bring them to our offices located on 99 Sparta Avenue in Newton this Saturday, July 8, and watch them get shredded while you wait! Cost is only $6 for a grocery sized brown bag.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), discarded paper is one of the principal sources of information for identity thieves. Secure destruction of sensitive material helps you and your company avoid risks like:

• Loss of trade secrets
• Fraud
• Embarrassing publicity
• Litigation, fines, and penalties
• Identity theft

As far as personal documents are concerned, to be as safe as possible, we recommend that you destroy any paper that contains even a minimum of personal information. Identity thieves are clever and can gain a great deal of usable information from documents like:

• Medical/Dental Records
• Discarded mail
• Resumes
• Used Airline Tickets