We Procrastinate. We’re not proud of it, be we all do it. It’s no secret that many of us “hit the ground running” each day; come up for air on weekends and marvel, perplexed and vexed, at the passage of time. No wonder talking “face to face” has been put on hold. Multi-tasking and technological advances, such as voicemail, email, facebook, tweeting and text-messaging, have nearly rendered dialogue as an archaic art form.
And yet, we know there are really important circumstances that warrant more than a perfunctory “fly by” chat with our spouse, child, colleague or friend. Serious illness is one of the critical issues requiring a deliberate and sensitive discussion with our loved ones. The value of having a true “heart to heart” talk with our family regarding our health, health care wishes and future health care cannot be underestimated.
A recent survey, conducted by the Conversation Project, reported that 90% of people say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important, but only 27% have actually done so.
80% of people say that if seriously ill, they would want to talk to their doctor about end-of-life care. 7% report having had an end-of-life conversation with their doctor.
Similarly, 70% of people surveyed say they want to die at home, but in reality, 70% die in hospitals or institutions.
I would urge everyone to make the time for meaningful, albeit challenging, conversations about life-changing issues. If you find the task daunting, there are many wonderful social workers, counselors and clinicians in your community that are trained to help. You’ll be so glad you did!
You do. It can be in consultation with your physician or you may consult with the hospice of your choice. According to Medicare today, “a patient is free to choose any qualified agency offering him/her services.” Your physician or the hospice professional staff can determine if your illness is hospice appropriate according to Medicare/Medicaid guidelines.
Recent studies have shown that hospice care may prolong survival as much as 29 days or more for terminally ill patients. Two studies in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management in 2004 and 2007 reported in both cases patients who chose hospice care lived an average of one month longer than similar patients who did not choose hospice care. In addition, a new study released by the New England Journal of Medicine found that some cancer patients who received palliative care lived, on average, almost two months longer than those who received standard care. Researchers also found that patients receiving palliative care correlated a higher quality of life through the final stages of their illness. “With earlier referral to a hospice program, patients may receive care that results in better management of symptoms, leading to stabilization of their condition and prolonged survival, “ wrote the authors of the study from the New England Journal of Medicine.
CHERRY HILL, NJ, – Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the return of its annual Share the Love Event in 2016. This year, for the first time throughout the life of the program, there will be no cap on the total donation from Subaru of America to its Share the Love charitable partners. By the end of this year’s event, Subaru hopes to exceed a grand total of $90 million donated since the creation of Share the Love.
NEWTON – November 1, 2016 – Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is privileged to join with families each year to remember the lives of loved ones throughout the holiday season. The Lights of Life Memorial Tree Lighting has been a seasonal staple for friends and family in the tri-state area for over twenty-five years. Its outreach extends into three locations; Sussex and Warren Counties, NJ and Pike County, PA, where families are invited to participate in this commemorative tradition. The Warren County Lights of Life Memorial will be held Tuesday, November 29 at 7 p.m. at the Wayne Dumont, Jr. Administration Building, 165 Route 519 South, Belvidere, NJ; the Pike County Lights of Life event will be held Thursday, December 1 at 7 p.m. at Church of the Good Shepherd on Catharine and 5th Street in Milford; the Sussex County Lights of Life Memorial will be held Friday, December 2 at 7 p.m. in the atrium at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Sussex County Community College. Each of the Lights of Life Memorial Services are accented with guest readers that include area leaders, hospice employees, volunteers and family members. “We are pleased to welcome families to gather with us once again this year at one of our event locations. These are very special evenings for so many and each are highlighted with music and thoughtful reflections,” stated Julia Quinlan, Co-Founder and President of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. At the conclusion of each of the Lights of Life presentation, a memorial tree will be lit to commemorate the shining place our loved ones have held in our hearts and minds. Warren County’s Lights of Life Memorial Tree will be featured on the grounds of the Wayne Dumont, Jr. Administration Building; Pike County’s Lights of Life Memorial Tree will glow at the Memorial Park, located on the corner of Catharine and 5th Street in Milford, and Sussex County’s Lights of Life campaign will illuminate Newton Town Square Park’s live evergreen, along with several trees adorning the gazebo. The thousands of white lights and decorative Moravian stars represent donations sent to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in memory of a family member or friend. “The memorial service and tree lightings provide a meaningful way for people to come together and share the emotions commonly experienced throughout the holidays. Lights of Life is a thoughtful, comforting service at which participants can honor and remember their loved ones,” stated Louis Ruggiero, President of Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home. Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home has been the Event Sponsor of the Lights of Life Tree Lighting and Memorials for over a decade and continues to assist Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice with the presentation of this community outreach to area families. For a $100.00 gift, participants are invited to remember a loved one this holiday season and will also receive a commemorative Lenox ornament chosen to highlight the 2016 event. With a $20.00 donation donors will have their loved ones name remembered. With each donation, participants are able to send an acknowledgement with a commemorative star lapel pin to a designated recipient. To remember a loved one this holiday season, please visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org/events or call 800-882-1117 for assistance. The 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 Northwest NJ and Northeast PA; please call 800-882-1117 to reach any of our services. 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 the preferred hospice provider for the Atlantic Health Care System in our area of service. The Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice in Fredon offers in-patient units, respite care, and routine hospice care to eligible Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice patients. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org. Stay up to the minute with us! Facebook.com/KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org.