The Sussex County Freeholders proclaimed November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month at their meeting on November 21^st. They encourage citizens to increase their understanding and awareness of care at the end of life.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is recognizing National Hospice and Palliative Care Month with the launch of their #SoonerIsBetter campaign. The campaign is aimed at helping people in the community learn more about the benefits of enrolling in hospice care as soon as they receive a life-limiting diagnosis. The benefits of enrolling sooner include living longer. For more information about the campaign can be found at KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org

Photo: Carl Lazzaro, Director of Freeholders, (center) presents proclamation to Julia Quinlan, Co-founder and President of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and John Quinlan, Director of Foundation on Tuesday, November 21. 

Congratulations to the graduates of the recent Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Pike 2017 Volunteer Class. From left: Volunteer Coordinator Sue Dougherty, Gina Cardona, Anne Ferrara and Linda Howing-DeRoy. Graduates completed four-weeks of training and can now serve as in-home volunteers. Anyone who wished to dedicate time as a volunteer may sign up for any of the area classes. Sue Dougherty can be contacted by calling 973-383-0115 ext. 121 or by email. 

2017 Bull Dog Run

A special thanks to Cindy Reigstad, guidance counselors, teachers and students at Helen Morgan school for donating proceeds from their annual mini-marathon Bull Dog Run. The run was held today and all fourth and fifth grade students participated. Julia Quinlan and Diana Sebzda were on hand to thank the students. The donation will benefit programs at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center. Thank you!

Vice President Terry Loller of the Blue Knights of Northern New Jersey presents a check to – from left: Nancy Gallo, Bea Smith, John Quinlan and Julia Quinlan, as Jeff Hunker Goodwill ambassador looks on.

Quinlan Hospice thanks Blue Knights

Thanks to the Blue Knights of Northern New Jersey for their generous donation to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice of over $11,000 from the Chilly Chili motorcycle run held every January 1 at the Ogdensburg Firehouse. The Knights actually distributed over $56,000 to the Hospice, the Make a Wish Foundation and three families with special needs children. Each of the families received $12,500.

The presentation ceremony was held in a new location this year. Thanks to the Sparta VFW for the use of its hall and lawn, and to the Sparta Police for the use of their tents. Blue Knights Goodwill Ambassador Jeffrey Hunker did a great job as master of ceremonies and the food supplied by Homer’s Restaurant was fantastic.

The Blue Knights have supported the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice for over 30 years with the Chilly Chili Run. They also hold Gooch’s Garlic Run in June to support families in our community and another run from the Skylands Stadium in October to support Make a Wish.

Please support them as they support our community. Check out Bknjix.org for more info. Safe riding from your friends at the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.

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.