Welcome Home retreat for Veterans scheduled for May 4th

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: April 17, 2013
CONTACT: Roxanne Debski-Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

John Drinkard
PHOTO: John Drinkard served as a US Marine Corps Helicopter Pilot from 1967-1973 and served his tour of duty in Vietnam. Today he practices the art of healing through Soldier’s Heart retreats that concentrate on the wounded soul and heart of the soldier coming home from the war experience. John is the New Jersey contact for Soldier’s Heart and can be reached at jvdrinkard3@verizon.net.

Welcome Home retreat for Veterans scheduled for May 4th

Newton, NJ – April 17, 2013 – Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is conducting a one day retreat for Veterans and their spouses or partners on Saturday May 4th, from 10-5 pm. It will be held at the Joseph T Quinlan Bereavement Center, 61 Spring St, 1st floor, Newton, NJ (Use the Trinity Street metered parking lot and lower entrance).

The concept of the retreat is based on Soldier’s Heart, developed by Edward Tick, Ph.D. and Kate Dahlstedt, LMHC. Its goal is to provide a forum to address the emotional, moral, and spiritual wounds of veterans, their families and communities.

The mission is open to both those returning from current wars and to those who fought in past wars. Vietnam Marine Corps veteran John Drinkard will serve as facilitator and has experience in these retreats which provide veterans, family members, professionals and all who care an opportunity to learn practical ways of integrating healing strategies into relationships and practices.

Pre-registration is requested by May 1st. If you would like more information or to pre-register, call 973-383-0115 or 800-882-1117 or email Karen Ann Quinlan Director of Social Services Marlina Schetting at mschetting@karenannquinlanhospice.org. A $20.00 donation is requested and includes lunch; also please remember to bring a memento of your military experience to introduce yourself. A memento would be a picture, dog tags, a hat, or anything from the time you served. If you would like more information on Soldier’s Heart, visit their website www.soldiersheart.net.

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. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

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Celebrate Every Moment of Life Spring Gala to Help Build Home for Hospice

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: April 15, 2013
CONTACT: Roxanne Debski-Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Lake Mohawk Country Club
PHOTO: The Lake Mohawk Country Club will be the setting of the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice “Celebrate Every Moment of Life” Spring Gala on the evening of April 27th.

Roxanne Evans
PHOTO: Roxanne Evans; Emmy Award-winning journalist and News 12 New Jersey’s Evening News Anchor and Environmental Host /Reporter will appear as speaker and emcee.

Celebrate Every Moment of Life Spring Gala to Help Build Home for Hospice

Newton, NJ – April 15, 2013 – The Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice “Celebrate Every Moment of Life” Spring Gala is around the corner. On April 27th, supporters and friends of hospice will enjoy dining and dancing while raising money and resources to benefit the new Home for Hospice to be built in Fredon. On March 26th of this year, the hospice broke ground on nine acres adjacent to the Waterwheel Farm to construct a 10 room residence for terminally ill patients who need care and can no longer remain in their own home. The non-profit hospice is committed to providing a full circle of care for hospice patients by the construction of this home and they need the help of the community. Your attendance at this event will encourage the project and also be an evening well spent at the beautiful Lake Mohawk Country Club on the boardwalk in Lake Mohawk, Sparta, NJ.

Julia Quinlan explained, “This is an exciting time for hospice as we look forward to the future and remember the past. We cherish the life of every patient that we lovingly cared for; as we continue our journey we are grateful for the opportunity to fulfill our commitment and dedication to the patient, family and the community.”

Presenting the event will be Emmy Award-winning journalist and News 12 New Jersey’s Evening News Anchor and Environmental Host / Reporter Roxanne Evans. Roxanne has worked in major markets at top broadcast stations around the country. Her journalism experience extends well beyond the anchor desk, having reported extensively on major news stories and events. Some of those stories range from high-profile trials and nationally known missing children cases to hard-fought political campaigns and live coverage of natural disasters. The work and stories that Roxanne finds the most gratifying have dealt with protecting consumers like you from corrupt business owners and unscrupulous con-artists looking to profit off the less fortunate. The mission of hospice and the home for hospice is a cause she encourages by sharing her talents and time to the event. Evans works to deliver a newscast her viewers can use and hopes to make a difference in each person’s day.

The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6pm and the Gala will feature music by Silvermoon Music. The members of Silvermoon Music have over 30 years of experience in the music industry, ranging from television sound tracks and international touring, to studio recordings and private events. A Silent Auction by RSI Fundraising will display and have ready to purchase and take home numerous items with something for everyone. Sussex County Technical School’s Horticulture class will create the evening’s floral centerpieces.

Tickets are only $125.00 per person and if you are interested in more information or would like to reserve tickets please call Jennifer Smith or Dr. Roxanne Seigel at 973-383-0115 or email jsmith@karenannquinlanhospice.org. You may also visit the hospice website at www.karenannquinlanhospice.org for sponsorship forms.

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. For programs, events, and more information visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

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National Health Care Decisions Day is Tuesday April 16

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: April 4, 2013
CONTACT: Roxanne Debski- Seigel
Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation
Offices in Newton NJ & Milford PA.
PHONE: 973-383-0115
TOLL FREE: 800-882-1117
FAX: 973-383-6889
EMAIL: rdebski-seigel@karenannquinlanhospice.org
WEBSITE: www.karenannquinlanhospice.org

Social Worker Jacqui Gieske, MSW, LSW
PHOTO: Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Social Worker Jacqui Gieske, MSW, LSW, holds the packet that will be distributed on Health Care Decisions Day at the Hospice offices, 99 Sparta Ave, Newton, and 104 Bennett Ave, Suite 2A-2 in Milford, and at Newton Medical Center. To reach either office of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, call 800-882-1117 for more information.

National Health Care Decisions Day is Tuesday
April 16th.

Newton, NJ – April 4, 2013 – As National Healthcare Decisions Day approaches (Tuesday, April 16), the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization stresses the importance of patients and families talking frankly about the care they would or would not want if ever faced with a serious medical condition or life-limiting illness.

The living will or as it is also known, advance directives stemmed from the Karen Ann Quinlan case of 1976. In 1975, New Jersey woman, Karen Ann fell inexplicably into a coma resulting with a prognosis of no hope for recovery. The Quinlans, Julia and Joseph, in order to have their daughter Karen Ann released from extraordinary means of life support, took their battle to the NJ Supreme court and won the case. But it was a case won for all of us, as it paved the way for our right to die with dignity, and to live our lives unfettered by extreme medical treatments if that was our choice.

A study by The Dartmouth Institute found that many physicians feel compelled to treat terminal illnesses aggressively resulting in patients dying in the hospital. Given that the majority of Americans would prefer to be at home at the end of life raises concerns that Americans may be getting more invasive care at life’s end than is desired, resulting in diminished quality of life. It is that quality of end of life that can be decided in advance with a living will.

NHPCO, along with other national, state, and community organizations, is raising awareness of the importance of advance healthcare decision making. This includes completing an advance directive (also known as a living will) and appointing a healthcare power of attorney (someone to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself). However, equally important are the conversations with family and loved ones about healthcare preferences and choices.

You can begin by asking yourself these basic questions: On a scale of 1 to 5, with #1 being “Let me die without medical intervention to #5, “Don’t give up on me no matter what…try anything, proven or unproven.” Where would you fall?

It would be reasonable to say that most of us fall somewhere in the middle. “I would like some medical intervention such as pain relief but not kept alive through extraordinary means such as a respirator.”

Then choose from the following: I would prefer to die… (a) In a hospital (b) skilled institution (c) at home (d) I’m not sure

Answer Yes or No below:

  • Could a loved one correctly describe how you’d like to be treated in the case of a terminal illness?
  • Is there someone you trust whom you’ve appointed to advocate on your behalf when the time is near?
  • Have you completed any of the following: written a living will, appointed a healthcare power of attorney, or completed an advanced directive?

Once you have established your preferences, it is important to have the discussion with your loved ones so if and when that time comes, your family will have benefited knowing how to proceed to make sure you are given the care you wished for at life’s end. For families who have not “had the conversation”, it is very challenging for them to be assured they are making the right decisions on your behalf.

Thinking about what would be important to you in a medical crisis and making your wishes known to loved ones is what National Healthcare Decisions Day is all about – regardless of age or health status.

The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has made available packets to the community every year on this day since its national inception in 2008. To pick up a 2013 packet you may visit either the NJ office located at located at 99 Sparta Ave in Newton or their PA office at 104 Bennett Ave, Suite 2A-2 in Milford between the hours of 9-4pm. To reach either office you may call 800-882-1117.

This year a representative from the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice will be at Newton Medical Center from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on April 16th with informational packets available on Advance Directives and Hospice.

For more information about National Healthcare Decision Day, please visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org or the NHPCO’s Caring Connections, www.CaringInfo.org; a trusted source of information and tools regarding advance care planning and talking with physicians and loved ones; state-specific advance directive forms are also available for download free of charge

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice has been dedicated to providing optimum hospice care to patients and their families for over 30 years and serves Northwest NJ and Northeast PA, with two offices: 99 Sparta Ave Newton, NJ 07860 and 104 Bennett Avenue Suite2A-2 Milford, PA 18337. The Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center is part of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice and provides bereavement services to patient’s families as well as to the community with two office locations; the main office is located at 61 Spring Street Lower Level Suite 100 Newton, NJ 07860 with a second location at 214 Washington Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840. The bereavement center also holds grief support groups and programs in Pike County, PA. For locations or more information on any of the above services visit www.karenannquinlanhospice.org or call at 800-882-1117.

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