Medical Marijuana in New Jersey – What You Need to Know

Recently, the State of New Jersey has started implementing and expanding its Medical Marijuana Program (MMP). Here’s some information about what this means for seniors in the state and how this affects them, from our CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey.

What conditions are treatable with medical marijuana?

Because these are changing all the time as new health conditions are considered and laws are amended, always check with your medical doctor to see if you are eligible. Currently, the following conditions are approved in the program:
• Terminal cancer
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Terminal illness with less than 12 months prognosis
• Seizure disorder
• Glaucoma
• Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Treatment of severe or chronic pain resulting from HIV, AIDS and cancer

Registering for the Medical Marijuana Program

To register for the MMP, your eligibility must be evaluated by a doctor registered with the MMP. If your own doctor is not registered as a MMP practitioner, they can recommend a physician who can assist. You can also find a registered doctor through the NJ MMP website.

Additional information for people interested in this treatment and their eligibility:

• Only medical marijuana cards registered in the State of New Jersey can be used within New Jersey.
• Patients who cannot easily travel to an Alternative Treatment Center can designate a qualified caregiver to obtain their medicinal marijuana on their behalf. This person will need to be registered with the NJ MMP, but only if they are collecting it on a patient’s behalf.
• Medical marijuana is not currently covered by Medicaid or other health plans in New Jersey.
• Patients’ dosage will be prescribed by their MMP registered physician.

Independent senior living in our Sussex County continuing care retirement community Bristol Glen, an independent senior living community based in Sussex County and part of United Methodist Communities, is dedicated to providing seniors with comfortable, living arrangements and services that free up their time to enjoy life.

Contact us to find out more about our CCRC and our assisted living facilities, amenities and services.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/medical-marijuana-new-jersey-need-know/

What to Do When Cancer Moves into the End-Stage

While aggressive treatment is recommended in most stages of fighting cancer, treatment is usually stopped during the end-stage of the disease. Rather than focusing on eliminating and reducing the cancer, medical treatment changes to providing comfort and the best possible quality of life. Here are some insights into care at this stage, from our compassionate care hospice in South Jersey:

• Discuss options with medical professionals.

   Research from the National Cancer Institute has shown that communication about treatment options and end-of-life care plays an important role in reducing stress and anxiety. Do as much research as you need on your own, even if you think it is very early in your condition. Make time to discuss and evaluate your options in-depth with your doctor. This will help you decide on what care options you are most comfortable with, and what to expect – helping patients cope with their illness and make informed decisions about their preferred care.

• Discuss legal options with an estate attorney.

  
  If they have not already done so, it is strongly advised that end-stage patients complete certain estate planning documents well in advance, as well as a Last Will and Testament. These documents should also include an Advanced Medical Directive that outlines which of the advanced life-saving measures you want to receive or not (including being on a respirator, feeding tube, etc.). A Financial Power of Attorney is also advised, as this allows a patient to name a person of their choice to make financial decisions on their behalf if they are no longer able.

• Consider end-of-life care options in the Jersey Shore area. 

  
  During this time, a patient’s comfort, quality of life and care are a priority. Two of the most effective ways of ensuring this are through in-home care or through hospice care. The Shores, a part of the well-known United Methodist Communities non-profit organization in New Jersey, offers compassionate, professional hospice care in Cape May County called Bridges.

With an emphasis on creating a nurturing and comforting environment, we offer customized services that not only support your loved one, but you and your family as well. This includes  personalized care plans, custom dining programs, and family support, as well as private rooms, luxury linens, WiFi access, music room and outdoor courtyards.

To find out more about Bridges, our hospice or our assisted living community in South Jersey, please contact us today at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/ and arrange your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/cancer-moves-end-stage/

Tips for Finding High Quality Hospice Care

Hospice, compassionate quality of end-of-life care, is there for people when treatment is no longer an option. This makes choosing a provider or service one of the most important decisions for you or your loved one. Here are some tips from a leading hospice care facility in South Jersey on finding the right fit:

• Shop around. While you may feel pressured to find a provider quickly, it’s better to take some time and evaluate your options. With the surge in providers and services across the country, many different types of hospices exist, especially in urban areas. These will differ according to cost, quality of care, support, location and more, so don’t rush into choosing the first you come across.
• Cost doesn’t mean quality. Although the costs of senior and end-of-life care are increasing,  that doesn’t mean that you need to select  the most expensive option to get the best care. While many hospices run as businesses, others run by nonprofit organizations as part of their charitable missions. This allows them to deliver high quality care at  far more affordable prices, giving more people in the community access to compassionate, and certified senior care services.
• Range of services and amenities. It’s important that the hospice provider offers customized services that can meet your needs. This means you won’t pay for services that you don’t require, and avoids the necessity for additional care outside the facility.
  In addition to trained and certified caregivers and nurses, the hospice should offer comfort, privacy, and support to patients and families. Additional services that add to the quality of care include onsite gyms, salons, music rooms, gardens, religious services, and life enrichment programs.
• Meaning in their mission. To find the best fit for you or your loved one, the values of the hospice should match up with your own. For example, while United Methodist Communities is a faith-based organization, we welcome people from all religious backgrounds;  spiritual participation is optional. Our aim in hospice care is to bring an enhanced level of compassionate care, comfort, and attention to detail for this important part of life.

Compassionate hospice care for the Jersey Shore community 

At The Shores, a leading assisted living community and part of United Methodist Communities, we offer a uniquely compassionate and professional hospice program in Cape May County called Bridges.

With an emphasis on creating a nurturing and comforting environment, we offer customized services that not only support your loved one, but you and your family as well.

To find out more about Bridges, our hospice care or our assisted living community in South Jersey, please contact us today or visit https://theshores.umcommunities.org/.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/tips-finding-high-quality-hospice-care/

Avoid These Mistakes When Choosing an Assisted Living Facility

Although moving to an assisted living community can be very stressful for seniors as well as their families, the great care, amenities and socialization result in real improvements in care and quality of life. However, positive outcomes rely upon finding the right fit.

Here are some mistakes to avoid when on this search, from our assisted living community in Gloucester County.

• Deciding too quickly: Even if your need for an assisted living community is urgent, it’s best not to go with the first one you see. Rather, narrow down your choices to a few that meet your criteria and then visit them all in person. This allows you to get a feel for the place and speak to staff, as well as observe what it’s like to live there first-hand.
• Not considering future needs: Your loved one may not require much assistance right now, but what about in 5 years or 10 years’ time? What if he or she develops Alzheimer’s or dementia, or requires long term care? A move a few years in the future could be even more stressful and financially difficult than  right now.Therefore, only consider  communities that can scale their services up or down to keep it affordable as well as meet your loved one’s care needs.
• Putting your needs over your loved ones: Because families often provide the financial support, it can be difficult to take a step back and accommodate your loved ones’ desires. The answer is to listen and compromise on things that are realistic, like having a separate apartment-style home rather than a room, or the location and amenities of the communities under consideration.

• Not reviewing the contract: In order for your loved one to live in an assisted living community, you’ll have to sign a binding legal contract. While many of these are straightforward, they are detailed legal documents that carry essential information about care and costs. It’s important to know exactly how the contract works to make a fully informed decision, so you should take the time to read through it carefully or consult a lawyer.
• Prioritizing location over services: At first glance, location seems like a natural priority — but in reality, care comes first. If choosing between a facility just a few minutes away offering more limited services or a less pleasant living arrangement, and one across town or even in the next city which offers better services, the services should come first. After all, this decision will determine your loved one’s daily quality of life, so travelling a little further is a smaller price to pay.

Scalable services, expert care and a high quality of life at our assisted living community 

Pitman is an independent senior living and assisted living community operated by United Methodist Communities and serving the greater Gloucester County New Jersey area. With our services ranging from independent living to assisted living, respite, short term rehabilitation and hospice care, we offer our residents dignified, comfortable and enjoyable senior years.

Our fully scalable services  ensure that residents receive assistance when and where they require it at each stage of their lives. Our dedicated and experienced staff are passionate about giving our residents the highest level of care available.

To find out more about our individualized long term care services, please contact us today and plan a visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/avoid-mistakes-choosing-assisted-living-facility/

Medication Management Tips For Seniors

Proper medication management is essential for seniors and their caregivers in order to prevent complications, adverse interactions and incorrect doses. This especially applies to  seniors because they often take multiple medications for a range of conditions at the same time, an issue known as polypharmacy. Here are some tips and insights from short term rehab specialists at our assisted living facility in Gloucester County, NJ.

• What is the medication treating? Every pharmacy label should explain what the medication is for and how to take it properly. This information outlines the specifics of each medication (some to be taken with food, others shouldn’t be taken at night, etc.) and helps prevent cases in which certain symptoms are being treated with multiple medications when one will do.
• Stay organized. Whether you are managing medication for yourself or for a loved one, organization is key. Keep all medications in a secure, designated cupboard in a cool room and out of the sun. Regularly check medications for their expiration date and sort them each week into a pill organizer to ensure the correct daily doses of each medication. Remember that antibiotic courses must be completed in order to be effective.
• Bring medications to the physician. Seniors often have specialist physicians as well as their own general practitioners which can complicate medical treatments. By bringing currently prescribed medications or a current, detailed list of medications to the doctor, they can easily see the patient’s taking and the prescribed dosage, allowing them to treat the patient more effectively.
• Know the side effects: Knowing the possible side effects of your medications makes it easier to recognize new symptoms and conditions, as opposed to symptoms that may be a reaction to medication.
• Special medication management for cognitively impaired While many seniors can manage their medication with minimal assistance, caregivers of individuals with cognitive impairments including Alzheimer’s and dementia, should take full control of their medication, even in earlier stages. Since these patients are at high risk of forgetting their medication entirely or accidentally overdosing, proper precautions can help prevent adverse consequences.

Short term rehabilitation services from our assisted living community in New Jersey

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high quality short term rehabilitation services to seniors in our rehab center and our Transitions program. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we offer these services in addition to assisted living services, hospice care, respite care and memory support services.

Ideal for seniors wanting professional assistance while recovering from illness or surgery, as well as those wanting to try out and get to know our assisted living community.  We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more about our short term rehab services or assisted living community, please contact us today or book a personal tour.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/medication-management-tips-seniors/