Hospice Honors Photo Gallery – More photos to come!
Press the play button to view secret number!

On September 25, 2021, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will host the sixth annual “Celebrate A Life 5k Walk.” The walk, which is being held at the New Jersey State Fairgrounds in Augusta, will start at 10:00 a.m. Pre-registration starts at 9:00 a.m. and opening ceremonies at 9:45. The walk is a way to help those dealing with a loss celebrate the life and memory of loved ones who have passed.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is an emotional process that each person handles differently. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center offers support to members of the community who are going through the grieving process. The proceeds from the walk will benefit the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Centers. The bereavement center is located on 5 Plains Road in Augusta with satellite locations on Washington Street in Hackettstown and Third Street in Milford, PA.

The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center provides grief support and counseling for hospice families and the community free of charge. The staff works to bring comfort and understanding to help families through difficult times. Individual counseling and ongoing support groups are offered. Support groups include: anticipatory grief support, school bereavement support, memorial services, grief lecture series, children’s bereavement art program and pet loss support.

People interested in participating in the walk can register online at KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org/Walk. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for participants 13 and under. Vendor applications are also being accepted for $25.

This year’s event will again feature a Memory Wall sponsored by BIGGS Kids. Participants are encouraged to bring a photo of their loved one to place on the Memory Wall. Each year we will display past photos as well as encourage new ones to be placed.

Registrants are encouraged to form a team to raise funds. There will be prizes awarded to individuals and teams who raise the most money. Individuals who raise $100 or more will get a memorial marker with their loved one’s name displayed along the walk route. All money raised will stay in the community and benefit the Bereavement Center.

Please call 973-383-0115 ext. 145 for more information on how you can get involved. If you are unable to walk we always have need for volunteers to help out on the day of the event. On September 30, we will all walk together so that no one has to walk alone.

The effects of unresolved grief on children can be devastating. From a child’s perspective, the experience of loss is not only overwhelming emotionally, but affects cognitive functioning as well.

Young children may be unable to recognize or categorize their losses, let alone sort them one from another. They may receive unclear explanations or no information at all about why these losses have occurred. They may have little or no time to develop a trusting relationship with the bearer of bad news, thereby suspicion develops, and confusion about the details may play a role in the ensuing grief process.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center invite teachers, school counselors, social workers and psychologists to participate in “Healing in the Classroom.” This program is designed to help educators create onsite grief support systems for bereaved students.

Training, resource materials, and technical assistance will be provided to help school professionals support students who are grieving the death of a loved one. The course offers counselors 12 clock hours. Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation, in conjunction with the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center, has been approved by NBCC as an approved continuing education provider, ACEP No. 6539. Certificates of completion will be given to all attendees.

This is a two-day session held on Thursday and Friday August 5 and 6, from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. virtually via ZOOM. Tuition is $250 per individual and includes all workshop materials and workbooks.

Those interested can visit KarenAnnQuinlanHospice.org/Classroom to register online or download a printable registration packet. For more information please call 973-948-2283 or email dsebzda@karenannquinlanhospice.org.

Watch the 2021 Butterfly Release Celebration.  Thank you for your continued support of our Hospice Mission.

Click here to watch the presentation.

Click here to download the event program.

Thirty-three hospice providers progress through NHPCO’s innovative quality improvement program

(Alexandria, Va) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is proud to share the organizations that have earned at least one ring in the first quarter of the Quality Connections (QC) program. QC a new program from NHPCO designed to enhance the knowledge base, skills, and competency of hospice and palliative care professionals and providers for continuous quality improvement. QC is structured around four fundamental pillars which are represented by four QC rings: Education, Application, Measurement, and Innovation.

Quality Connections is a national program designed to support hospice and palliative care provider delivery of high-quality, person centered care.   The program goals are to enhance the knowledge base, skills, and competency of hospice and palliative care staff through education, tools, resources, and opportunities for engagement and interaction among hospice and palliative care quality professionals.

As of April 15, 2021, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has earned their Education Ring. Each Ring has specific activities incorporating practical resources to progressively track and improve both clinical and organizational quality. Activities such as quarterly data reporting and benchmarking, NHPCO’s E-Online courses, peer case studies, and engagement will be part of an organization’s quality journey. Additionally, participants will find activities that are focused on promoting diversity, access and inclusion within your organization and with the communities you serve.

“These providers are demonstrating their commitment to quality patient- and family-centered care. It is not enough to simply say that one is interested in quality; one must step up to demonstrate it. These providers have taken an important step in improving their quality of care. This matters to patients, families, payers and providers,” said NHPCO President and CEO Edo Banach.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice maintains strict compliance with the CDC and New Jersey State Mandates regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. Effective immediately the following visitation policy will be in place at the Home for Hospice.

The number of visitors allowed at one time has increased from 2 visitors to 5 visitors.

The policy also includes the following requirements for visitors:

• All visitors must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. Bandanas, gaiters, or masks with exhalation valves are not permitted because they don’t provide sufficient protection.
• All guests must undergo a symptom check and sign in at the front desk leaving their phone number for contact tracing if needed.
• All visitors must perform hand hygiene before visiting a patient. Once in the facility, visitors must remain in the patient’s room throughout the visit, except when directed otherwise by staff.  If they need to use the bathroom, they are to use the one in the patient’s room.
• Visitors will ring the doorbell and if there are already five people in the room those visitors will not be permitted in.  They must wait outside until the family comes out, the visitor is not allowed in to retrieve the other visitors.
• Visitors can be out on the patio but at no time are they to enter the building if there are already 5 visitors in the room.  If this happens, we will be forced to ask everyone to leave.

Please note all common areas remain closed currently.  We also are NOT providing tours.  If you would like to see the building please click here for a virtual tour.

Thanks for your patience and understanding as we strive to keep our families and staff safe during this time. If you need any further assistance please call 973-300-0669.

As your local not-for-profit hospice with over 40 years of experience, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is committed to providing our community with the education and tools needed to make one some of the hardest decisions of a lifetime.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is proud to present two FREE outreach programs designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of hospice and palliative care.

The first program offers one FREE CME/CE credit via the Quality-of-Life newsletter. The newsletter is published quarterly and offers an instant CME/CE certificate upon completion. Those completing the course receive an acknowledgment certificate after completing a brief online evaluation. Upon registering and successfully completing the activity evaluation your certificate will be made available immediately. The estimated time to complete the activity is one hour. You can earn up to four CME/CE credits a year by completing the evaluation in each newsletter. The newsletter is available either printed or digitally.

The second offering is a FREE electronic subscription to the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey, Transitions newsletter. This weekly newsletter contains timely and relevant information regarding hospice and palliative care. The Transitions program is currently only available to those who practice in New Jersey.

To receive one or both of these publications please visit: https://www.karenannwquinlanhospice.org/newsletter to sign up. You may also contact Anthony Grigal, at agrigal@karenannquinlanhospice.org or by calling 973-383-0115 ext. 123 for more information.

Click here to preview a copy of the Quality of Life Newsletter

Click here to preview a copy of the Transitions Newsletter

The Honorable Judge Paul Armstrong

The New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law recently awarded it most prestigious award, The Lighthouse Award to the Honorable Judge Paul Armstrong.

The award honors individuals who uphold the professions highest ideals and who have accomplished significant career achievement.

The Professional Lawyer of the Year Awards are presented in cooperation with the bar associations across the state, to lawyers who are respected by colleagues for their character, competence and exemplary professional behavior.

Judge Armstrong is a founding member of the Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation and has served on the Governing Board for more than 40 years.

Please join us on congratulating Judge Armstrong for the exceptional accomplishment.

Please click here to view Judge Paul Armstrong’s acceptance speech.

Please click here to read Judge Paul Armstrong’s acceptance speech.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MEREDITH ROBERTS OF SUSSEX, NJ

Winning ticket #:              360
Winner:                                Meredith Roberts of Sussex, NJ

Total Collected:                 $16,240.00
Winner Received:            $  8,120.00

LEFT TO RIGHT: Marlina Schetting, Chief Operating Officer and Administrator at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice presents the check to Meredith Roberts, while her son and mother Eileen Diehl look on. It was quite a surprise for Meredith as the ticket was purchased for her and she didn’t know about it until she received the phone call from our Special Events Manager, Jennifer Smith. Stay tuned for the 2021 Half for Hospice tickets to go on sale soon – win up to $10,000!

If you are thinking about make a donation to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice – here’s another good reason to do it today!

COVID Tax Tip 2020-153, November 12, 2020

Whether taxpayers are supporting natural disaster recovery, COVID-19 pandemic aid or another cause that’s personally meaningful to them, their charitable donations may be tax deductible. These deductions basically reduce the amount of their taxable income.

Here’s how the CARES Act changes deducting charitable contributions made in 2020:

Previously, charitable contributions could only be deducted if taxpayers itemized their deductions.

However, taxpayers who don’t itemize deductions may take a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made in 2020 to qualifying organizations. For the purposes of this deduction, qualifying organizations are those that are religious, charitable, educational, scientific or literary in purpose. The law changed in this area due to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

The CARES Act also temporarily suspends limits on charitable contributions and temporarily increases limits on contributions of food inventory. More information about these changes is available on IRS.gov.

Click the button to make a donation to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice today! Thank you!

KEY POINTS:

• The CARES Act, which went into effect this spring, established a new above-the-line deduction for charitable giving.
• You can write off up to $300 in cash donations on your 2020 income tax return, which you’ll be filing next spring.
• Normally, you’d have to itemize deductions to write off charitable giving when you file your taxes. About 14.8 million households took a tax break for donating to charity in 2018, according to the IRS.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is not giving tax advice. Each situation is different. Please contact your accountant to see if you qualify for this tax deduction.

Listen to Diana Sebzda, Director of Bereavement at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center and she talks about the importance of National Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

Listen here:

Or watch here:

Newton, NJ.  – Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice recently honored Vietnam Veterans at a We Honor Veterans pinning ceremony held at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1002 meeting. The pinning ceremony was part of the commemoration for Veterans Day & Hospice Month. The ceremony was held at Saint Francis de Sales Church, in Vernon Township on Sunday, October 25, 2020.

At the ceremony, representatives of Karen Ann Quinlan presented a commemorative pin to members of the VVA who served on active duty in the Vietnam War at any time between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975. Regardless of theater.

VVA Chapter 1002 members are encouraged to attend and receive the appreciation from Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and the support of their brothers who served in the Vietnam Period.

We Honor Veterans (www.WeHonorVeterans.org) is a national hospice provider awareness campaign conducted by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). NHPCO is actively supporting the campaign and providing resources for hospices to participate because: Of 2.4 million deaths in the United States each year, approximately 680,000 are Veterans A vast majority of Veterans are not enrolled in VA and may not be aware of end-of-life services and benefits available to them, including the Medicare Hospice Benefit and VA-paid hospice care Community hospices can join other hospice providers across the country in honoring our Nation’s Veterans.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is 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 07860 and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 200 Third Street, Milford, PA 18337

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice held an Open House on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10 at the new location of their Milford Office, 200 Third Street.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has served the community since 1980. Julia and Joseph Quinlan, pioneers of the Hospice movement opened the first hospice in Sussex County on April 15, 1980, the fifth anniversary of their daughter Karen Ann tragically slipping into a coma. The Hospice started with money donated by the Quinlans from proceeds of a book and television film documenting their experience.

The Hospice expanded into Warren County, NJ on 1988 and in 2008 opened an office in Milford PA located on 315 West Harford Street. After several years the office relocated to 104 Bennet Avenue and is now housed at 200 Third Street. Hospice isn’t a place. And hospice care is not just about those who are dying. Hospice is a comprehensive kind of care that focuses on living—it’s about living as fully as possible, surrounded by family and friends, up until the end of life.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is proud to be part of the Pike County Community especially the Milford Community. At the larger facility the Hospice, also the home of the Milford area Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center, will host community education seminars, children’s bereavement workshops, group bereavement sessions and more. “We look forward to being a more active and visible member of the community,” said Lee Ellison, director of marketing for the Hospice.

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, 200 Third Street, 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 is open to hospice families and the community for bereavement support, counseling and educational opportunities; it is located at 5 Plains Rd. in Augusta with satellite offices in Pike and Warren Counties. For hospice programs, events, and more information at www.karenannquinlanhospice.org.