Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late to Talk About Hospice

 

There are many topics we find extremely difficult to discuss, and hospice care is definitely one of them. We don’t often sit around with family and friends discussing what should happen if we ever require hospice care, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a plan in place. Unfortunately, terminal illnesses can strike anyone at any time and being unprepared can make a difficult situation more stressful.

When a loved one falls terminally ill, it’s likely that family members will have varying ideas on how to proceed without a hospice care plan in plan. Valuable time will be wasted while everyone tries to come to an agreement. As a result, your loved one may end up spending unnecessary time in a cold and clinical setting or an emergency room instead of being comfortable in their own home, surrounded by family.

In the same way that you prepare a Last Will and Testament ahead of time, we recommend that you and your family members create a hospice plan. This should include instructions on what to do if someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Everyone has certain wishes respective to their own situations, and it’s beneficial to the whole family if these plans are established well in advance of ever needing them.

Why it’s never too early for a hospice care plan

• Pain management may complicate things. While many people can enter hospice care from the comfort of their own homes, some people require additional medical support. Rather than stay at home, some people may find it easier to live in a dedicated hospice care community, where staff is available 24/7.

• The faster you’re able to act after a diagnosis, the more comfortable everyone will be. Receiving a terminal diagnosis will affect each member of the family differently. Each person will suggest doing what they think is right. As mentioned above, valuable time slips away when families go back and forth trying to decide the best course of action. Having a solid plan in place will eliminate any difficult and distressing conversations between family members that could lead to conflict.

• It alleviates the feelings of guilt and confusion surrounding important medical decisions. Trying to make important decisions while in a stressful situation is never easy, and feelings of guilt and confusion are very common. Having a set plan in place may not completely eliminate guilt and confusion, but you will have more peace of mind knowing the hospice care plan reflects your family member’s decision and you honored their final wishes.

Hospice care in Cape May County, New Jersey

Being prepared protects you and your family from additional stress, and eases the emotional burden of transitioning a loved one into hospice care. We understand it’s a difficult topic of conversation, but every family member will appreciate having clear instructions should the moment ever arrive when they need to follow them.

Hospice care in Bridges at The Shores provides residents with a tranquil environment where their comfort is top priority. We understand that having a loved one in hospice care greatly affects the entire family, and we have support systems in place to address the mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of the whole family. We believe that everyone deserves a dignified and peaceful end-of-life experience, and when you become involved with a community like ours, you and your family will never be alone.

For more information about hospice care at The Shores, or if you have questions about any of our other senior living communities across New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities today at: https://theshores.umcommunities.org/contact/

Originally posted: https://umcommunities.org/blog/dont-wait-until-its-too-late-to-talk-about-hospice/

5 Myths and Facts About Hospice Care

There are so many myths and misunderstandings about hospice care and what it means, and that can lead to people missing out on essential care that provides comfort and dignity. Here are some common myths and facts about hospice care, from the team at our hospice in South Jersey:

Myth #1 – Hospice only provides 6 months of care, so you must delay it as long as possible 

This misunderstanding arises from the process that evaluates a patient’s need for hospice care. A patient will only be recommended for hospice when two doctors perform an evaluation and determine that the patient is terminal with a life expectancy of around six months or less. However, this is an estimate that is used to diagnose care needs going forward – it’s not an exact measurement. As long as a patient meets these criteria, hospice care is available.

Myth #2 –  Hospice care just provides pain medication

Pain management is a priority in hospice care in order to keep patients as comfortable as possible. However, it is not the only service that is provided. Modern hospice care is incredibly advanced and deals with a patient’s needs holistically, providing symptom management and therapy, as well as social, psychological, and spiritual support. This is extended to family and loved ones as well, providing a setting and support system that includes nurses and doctors, social workers, trained volunteers, and more.

Myth #3 – Hospice means giving up hope

Hospice is not the hopeless place that often exists in many people’s minds. Instead, it’s a place that redefines this stage of life, providing expert support and care that prioritizes dignity and wellbeing to the very end. Through our programs and team, we provide patients and families with a place to gather and enjoy quality time together, where families can be assured that their loved one’s every need is being met in a comfortable, welcoming setting, and where patients don’t have to fear being lonely, in pain or helpless.

Myth #4 – Staying at home is always better 

Caring for a loved one who is terminal can be incredibly challenging and emotionally stressful. At hospice, patients have a team of caregivers to ensure that needs are met, allowing family and loved ones to spend as much quality time together as possible. Hospice care doesn’t just involve symptom management. Trained doctors and nurses also monitor patients to ensure that any other minor health complications are treated early, ensuring that patients stay as healthy as possible and avoid traumatic hospitalizations.

Myth #5 – Hospice is Expensive

Hospice is actually funded through Medicare/Medicaid benefits. It’s unlimited in length, and most private insurance plans offer coverage for hospice as well. In most cases, coverage includes hospice care, visits from doctors and other medical professionals, medications related to the patient’s terminal condition, as well as any supplies and equipment they may need (for instance, an oxygen tank).

Have Any Questions? Speak to the Friendly Team at Our Hospice in South Jersey

At The Shores, a part of the well-known United Methodist Communities non-profit organization in New Jersey, we offer compassionate, professional hospice care in the Jersey Shore area called Bridges. In this program, we focus on creating a nurturing and comforting environment for patients and their loved ones through customized care programs and compassionate support. To find out more about our hospice in Cape May County, please visit our website at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/hospice-care-nj/ or contact us today and organize your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/5-myths-and-facts-about-hospice-care/

A Guide to Medicare Hospice Coverage and Programs

Hospice is a service offered to preserve a patient’s quality of life in the end stage of life or during a terminal illness. It also addresses the patient’s spiritual, emotional, medical and physical needs. This important service provides care and comfort to both patients and their loved ones, and under certain requirements, can be covered by Medicare. Here is a quick guide to these requirements from our assisted living hospice neighborhood in South Jersey.

Medicare Eligibility Requirements for Hospice Services 

In order to be covered by Medicare for hospice services, your loved one must:

• Meet eligibility requirements for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance);
• Be certified by a doctor and hospice medical director as terminally ill with six months or less to live;
• Have a signed document from a legal guardian stating that hospice care is being chosen instead of other treatments covered by Medicare; and
• Choose a Medicare-approved hospice care provider.

Hospice Services Covered by Medicare 

If eligible, the following 10 hospice services WILL BE covered by Medicare:

1. Nursing care and doctor services
2. Hospice aid services
3. Physical and occupational therapies
4. Social worker services
5. Medical equipment (for example, a wheelchair) and medical supplies
6. Pain relief and symptom control medications
7. Nutritional counselling
8. Grief and family counselling
9. Short-term respite care
10. Short-term inpatient care

The following services are NOT covered by Medicare:

• Treatments designed to cure the terminal illness;
• Prescription medication to cure the terminal illness (only symptom management is covered);
• Room and board for hospice care, unless covered by short-term inpatient care or respite care requirements;
• Any care that is not arranged by the hospice medical team. If you want a service from a different hospice provider, you need to officially change your selected Medicare-approved hospice provider; and
• Emergency care, including ambulance transportation, inpatient facility care or emergency room care unless it is arranged by your hospice medical team or it is the result of healthcare needs unrelated to the terminal illness.

Speak to our Team at Bridges, an Assisted Living Neighborhood Dedicated to Hospice and Palliative Care at The Shores in Cape May County, NJ for Advice 

At The Shores, a part of the well-known United Methodist Communities non-profit organization in New Jersey, we offer compassionate, professional hospice care in the Jersey Shore area called Bridges. This program focuses on creating a nurturing and comforting environment for patients and their loved ones through customized care programs and compassionate support.

To find out more or if you need advice on hospice care options and Medicare, please visit our website at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/hospice-care-nj/ or contact us today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/guide-medicare-hospice-coverage-programs/ 

Coping With Grief during the Holidays

The holiday season is here, and for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, this can be an especially difficult time of year. Everywhere, messages about spending time with the ones we love are abundant, and bring into focus the loved ones who will not be celebrating with us, which can lead to intense feelings of sorrow.

Here are some coping strategies from the team at our hospice neighborhood in South Jersey to help make this season more manageable:

• Remember that grief and healing go hand-in-hand. Grief is an integral part of the healing process, and choosing to experience the pain rather than shutting it away is a healthier path to healing. Over time, this will help make the holiday season easier.
• Acknowledge your loss. Remembering the one you’ve lost and expressing your feelings can help make them a part of the festive season and lead to traditions in which they are kept close to your and other people’s hearts. Set aside some time or a task and make it all about that someone special and choose something that reminds you of them. For example, lighting a candle in church or at your family dinner table, opening a bottle of their favorite drink, serving a favorite dish, or playing their favorite music.
• Set healthy boundaries. Don’t push yourself to have a perfect holiday season, attend every event, and embrace every occasion with a smile on your face. Instead, give yourself a break if you find an event too painful, or need some time by yourself. Pick and choose what events you feel comfortable with, and keep your options open. You might prefer a quiet evening in with family looking at photo albums and watching movies, rather than a big social event with lots of people. Don’t feel obligated that you have to attend an event if it’s too difficult or painful for you.
• Speak openly with family and friends. Everyone experiences grief differently, and communicating your concerns and feelings to your loved ones is especially important during the holidays. Your support network can help ease the burden of the holiday season, from helping you to create new traditions in remembrance of your loved one, to understanding why you need time and space from certain events.

Professional care and support from Bridges, our hospice and palliative care neighborhood in Cape May County, NJ 

At The Shores, a part of the well-known United Methodist Communities non-profit assisted living organization in New Jersey, we offer compassionate, professional care in the Jersey Shore area in a neighborhood called Bridges, dedicated to hospice and palliative care. In this program, we focus on creating a nurturing and comforting environment for patients and their loved ones through customized care programs and compassionate support. To find out more about our hospice neighborhood in South Jersey, please visit our website at https://theshores.umcommunities.org or contact us today and arrange your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/coping-grief-holidays/

Hospice care, the shores, hospiice cap may  county, hospice care south jersey, hospoce in south jersey. 

WSI Engages with United Methodist Communities at “The Shores” For Brand & SEO Development

In its continuing mission to bring the “Abundant Life” to New Jersey’s senior citizens, United Methodist Communities at The Shores in Ocean City New Jersey, has partnered with WSI to deliver website management, Search Engine Marketing, and content development services. The goal is to enhance brand recognition for The Shores in southern NJ and drive awareness of UMC’s unique offering in the Assisted Living Community marketplace around the state.
(https://theshores.umcommunities.org)

WSI had developed the rebranded website and consulted on the design and development of the ongoing online marketing program, which is focused on SEO and statewide brand recognition.  New marketing initiatives include both paid search and organic search optimization, custom content creation, and ongoing paid advertising initiatives for the Community.

Marketing United Methodist Communities At The Shores

As long-standing experts in the digital marketing associated with assisted living and senior care services across the country, WSI has helped dozens of local assisted living facilities and nursing homes find new clients in their local area’s. Key to the rise in occupancy attributed to WSI efforts, is both the increase in visibility and the compelling content produced by WSI that understands the unique selling proposition of the brand. Crafting this messaging and bringing out the best UMC has to offer has been instrumental to creating a sales funnel through their digital properties that exceeded all previous attempts at digital marketing.

To market Assisted Living at The Shores, all unique services and aspects of the facility must be analyzed and presented. This coupled with a deep understanding of the types of clients that use or influence the use of assisted living, and their buying journey, allows us to craft content and programs that keep the brand in the right places, in the right way, at the right time.

WSI markets independently all of the senior care services available at the shores including Alzheimer’s and memory care, hospice care, respite care, rehabilitation and nursing home services in New Jersey.

The WSI Assisted Living Marketing Model

WSI Brand development services for this client includes advanced SEO services as part of its “Semantic Mapping” approach to on-page SEO.  With this approach a comprehensive study of local product demand is conducted and mapped into a strategic architecture for the company website and all company web properties.  Quality Blog, graphic and video content is created and syndicated on external web properties including Tumblr, WordPress and BlogSpot in addition to dozens of other social media and content hubs.

WSI’s Elite Regional Branding program is comprehensive.  By carefully customizing this content strategy through on-page and off-page activities, WSI has achieved amazing results through a highly conservative approach that has proved resistant to changes in Google’s search algorithm’s and even improved client visibility as less reputable SEO approaches cause competitors to disappear from Search Engine Visibility.

For further details on WSI’s capabilities and strategies around the marketing of assisted living communities, or more generally around SEO, SEM, Paid Search, and content programs, please contact us for a free analysis and consultation.

Original content posted on https://www.winm-nj.com/blog/the-shores-assisted-living-nj/

Signs Your Loved One With Alzheimer’s Is Ready for Hospice Care

For family and caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients, facing the last stages of this disease is an incredible challenge — not just emotionally, but physically and mentally. This is a time in which making care decisions becomes more and more difficult. During these final life stages, hospice services can provide the care and support you and your loved one need. If you’re considering hospice care, be aware of signs that your loved one is ready for professional end-of-life care.

An Alzheimer’s patient is ready for hospice when:

• A doctor has diagnosed a life expectancy of 6 months or less. This criterion is universal for all hospice patients, regardless of their health conditions, as this care is designed to manage pain and focus on comfort in the last stages of life — not provide treatment for a disease.
• They become totally dependent. In the final stages of Alzheimer’s, patients become totally dependent on caregivers for assistance in daily life and activities. This includes physical dependency, as many people are unable to walk, sit or attend to their personal hygiene.
• Weight loss increases. Late-stage Alzheimer’s patients struggle to take in enough food and liquid, have difficulty manipulating utensils, and even difficulty chewing and swallowing, which leads to weight loss.
• They are unable to communicate effectively. The loss of intelligent speech, inability to express themselves, and inability to respond to others indicate the disease is reaching its final phase.
• They are more vulnerable to other diseases and infections. Dealing with other health conditions along with Alzheimer’s can be exceptionally challenging, as many patients suffer from pneumonia and other infections.

Hospice in South Jersey is about spending quality time with your loved one

Alzheimer’s is a challenge for patients and their loved ones, and even more so for family caregivers. Hospice is not just about providing comfort and care for our residents, it’s about taking the weight off family caregivers and loved ones so they can make the most of this final time together in a supportive environment.

At The Shores, a part of the well-known United Methodist Communities non-profit organization in New Jersey, we offer a compassionate, professional hospice neighborhood in Cape May County called Bridges. In this program, we focus on creating a nurturing and comforting environment for patients and their loved ones through customized care programs and compassionate support.

To find out more about our hospice neighborhood in the Jersey Shore area, please visit our website and contact us today at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/ to arrange your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/signs-loved-one-alzheimers-ready-hospice-care/

What Families and Loved Ones Want from Hospice Care

Death, or the approach of death, is understandably difficult to deal with. Terminal patients, as well as their families and loved ones, often find it hard to address, feeling overwhelmed, confused and a loss of control.

This is when hospice comes in and lends a guiding hand in understanding what is coming, preparing for death and supporting loved ones in their grief. It is this support and these resources that families, patients, and loved ones need. Our hospice in South Jersey focuses on these needs to set the standards for excellent end-of-life care.

How Our Hospice Team Meets Your Needs

• A comforting environment:

Very few people want to spend their last few months in a sterile, busy and unwelcoming hospital environment. Hospice offers the terminally ill a space to call their own, filled with the comforts of home and familiar items.

• Spend time together:

Hospice providers understand this is an important time for family and loved ones. So, they are welcome to spend time at the hospice. With private accommodation for patients, you don’t have to worry about intruding on others. Our family dining space allows you to dine with your loved one throughout their stay. We also have gardens and outdoor spaces for family and loved ones to enjoy.

•  Customized care:

No two hospice patients are the same, so care plans are created to meet each person’s specific requirements; modifications occur as their needs change. Whether your loved one is suffering from dementia, cancer or any other terminal illness, our fully trained and experienced care and medical staff can deliver the necessary assistance and treatments.

• Grief support:

Compassion is the primary focus in hospice care, for patients as well as their loved ones. In addition to grief counselors, we also offer spiritual support throughout this difficult time.

• Reduced stress:

While always an emotional and stressful time, our team will do as much as possible to share the load. Expert hospice care helps reduce the stress of caring for a loved one yourself. Knowing their medical and wellness needs are being taken care of means that family caregivers and loved ones can focus on what really matters — spending quality time together.

Find Out More About End-of-Life Care at Our Hospice in Cape May County

The Shores, part of the well-known United Methodist Communities nonprofit organization in New Jersey, offers compassionate, professional hospice care in Cape May County called Bridges. This program focuses on creating a nurturing and comforting environment for patients and their loved ones through customized care programs and compassionate support.

To find out more about hospice care in the Jersey Shore area, please visit our website at https://theshores.umcommunities.org or contact us today to organize your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/families-loved-ones-want-hospice-care/

When Is the Right Time for Family Caregivers to Consider Hospice Care?

Being a caregiver to a family member or friend is a choice that many people make because it helps avoid costly care and allows you to spend precious time with a loved one. However, many caregivers find this challenging role can become overwhelming in later stages of care and when illnesses become terminal. At this point, hospice care may become the right choice for you and your loved one. Here are some insights from our hospice care provider in Ocean City on making this decision:

Hospice is about comfort and care at the end of life

Firstly, it is important to know that hospice is a level of care that is reserved only for patients nearing their end-of-life, or who have terminal conditions that can no longer be effectively treated by doctors. In order to qualify for hospice, patients or their families have to be certified by a physician to have six months or less of their life remaining, however, they will continue to qualify for hospice after six months, as long as the physician is able to continue to document the patient’s eligibility.

This qualification process remains in place because the focus of hospice is not about treating a disease — rather, it is about providing patients and their loved ones a high level of comfort, compassion and care as they go through this transition. Medical teams and care workers assist with pain and symptom management and wellness, as well as to provide bereavement support and pastoral care (if needed).

Can family caregivers and loved ones benefit from hospice care?

The short answer to this question is yes, absolutely. Providing end-of-life-care as a family caregiver is an overwhelming task, not only because it requires such a significant shift in care as well as increased care demands, but because this can be a difficult and emotionally stressful time for you as well as your loved one.

Hospice offers an entire team and range of services dedicated to assisting you and your loved one. Not only does their experience, access to medical equipment and skilled services help ensure the highest level of care and comfort for your loved one, they also free your time from daily caregiving tasks so you can actually spend quality time together.

The Shores, a part of the well-known United Methodist Communities non-profit organization in New Jersey, offers a compassionate, professional hospice dedicated neighborhood in Cape May County called Bridges. This program focuses on creating a nurturing and comforting environment for residents and their loved ones through customized care and compassionate support. To find out more about our hospice neighborhood in South Jersey, please contact us today at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/right-time-family-caregivers-consider-hospice-care/

How to Prepare for Hospice Care

Hospice care, appropriate in the event of advanced, life-limiting illness, requires patients and loved ones to make profound changes in their expectations for care and treatment. Our associates from our hospice in South Jersey shares some insights on how to prepare yourself or a loved one for this stage of care, and how to make this difficult transition easier;

Personal beliefs about hospice care. 

As hospice care is synonymous with the end of life, people understandably avoid talking or even thinking about this service. However, this leads to preconceived ideas about what hospice entails, as well as a fear of the unknown.

In reality, hospice care focuses on making sure everything possible is done to keep patients comfortable — from meeting physical, medical and hygiene needs to ensuring pleasant surroundings and support for patients and families. These services will vary according to what the provider can offer. The best course of action is to meet with a hospice representative who can share all the information you need to make the right decision, answer any questions and walk you through all their services and care options.

In addition, the hospice representative should be able to answer questions about health insurance and Medicare options, do a full assessment of you or your loved one’s condition and, if needed, assist with completing necessary forms for admission.

Developing a customized care plan. 

Every patient’s needs are different, so it’s important that your hospice representative meet with you to discuss patient expectations of the hospice program, their services, special requirements and other details. Frequency of visits by medical staff and support staff (including chaplains), services unique to the patient’s needs, medication management and access to specific medical equipment and supplies can also be worked into the care plan.

This information will go into the development of a unique care plan that outlines the hospice experience. Remember, the hospice team is the best source of alleviating anxiety about this process, and can organize meetings, answer questions or conduct an onsite tour of the facilities to help you or your loved one prepare.

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. This program focuses on creating a nurturing and comforting environment for patients and their loved ones through customized care programs and compassionate support. To find out more about our hospice dedicated neighborhood in South Jersey, please contact us today at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/ and plan your visit.

Originally posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/prepare-hospice-care/

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/

How To Care For An Elderly Loved One With Cancer

February 4 is World Cancer Day, when we remember those coping with this disease as well as those that have passed away or gone into remission. Here is some insight for hospice care in South Jersey for caregivers compassionately caring for a senior loved one with cancer.

What is the role of a caregiver?

Caregivers take on a wide range of tasks to assist the patient or loved one, from providing emotional support and assisting with medical care to managing financial or insurance issues and communicating with the healthcare team.

This extensive and challenging role can easily become overwhelming, especially if you have your own career and family. Both professional and personal support is essential, not only to help you cope, but also to ensure a high quality of care.

As a caregiver, it’s important to be positive and proactive as well as compassionate in your role – especially if you are caring for an elderly loved one – in order to make sure that they get the best possible treatment and quality of life care from their medical team. This is a big responsibility for many people who need to know the limits of what they can handle  to get support and assistance.

Although doing it out of love, caring for an elderly loved one with cancer can quickly become a demanding full-time job that puts caregivers under a lot of pressure. Self-care becomes essential and professional services can step in and deliver high-quality respite care whenever required.

What care options are available when cancer is terminal?

There may come a point at which doctors agree that medical treatment will not cure the cancer or improve the patient’s quality of life — this is the time to consider hospice care. The Shores, a leading assisted living community, offers Bridges, a uniquely compassionate and professional hospice dedicated program in Cape May County.

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

To find out more about Bridges, our hospice dedicated neighborhood or our senior retirement living in South Jersey, please contact us today and organize your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/care-elderly-loved-one-cancer/

When a cure is no longer possible

In a world where death is a fact of life, conversations around passing on are still incredibly difficult to have — and yet, it is so important to ensure the proper services are in place to support, care and comfort  each and every person during this time. Our hospice program, Bridges, at our Jersey Shore community is here to deliver just that.

When is hospice care the right choice? 

No one wants their loved one to go into hospice care before it’s necessary. So it’s important to arrange medical care and assisted living services, which can be increased as the patient’s needs change. However, once a cure is no longer possible, hospice is there to seamlessly take over.

In order to access hospice care, two physicians (one of whom can be a hospice physician) must agree that the patient’s treatment has to change to a focus on end-of-life care. The process can then begin, determining a customized care and support plan that best prioritizes the patient’s specific needs and requests.

What is included in hospice services? 

As with our assisted living services, Bridges is focused on quality of life and are customized to suit each individual. They include:

• 24-hour carefrom certified caregivers
• Medication management
• Personalized care plan
• Family and spiritual support

In addition, Bridges offers patients private one-bedroom comfortably furnished apartments, including linens, WiFi and more. A customized dining program will be developed for your loved one and food will be available 24/7 in the family room.

Spiritual support, expert care and comfort at our hospice in Cape May County, NJ 

United Methodist Communities at The Shores, a senior and assisted living facility, offers superior end-of-life care for our patients through 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 facility or our assisted living community in South Jersey, please contact us today and organize your visit.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/cure-no-longer-possible/