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Facing the End of Life with Dignity and Support
Madeline Munitz is ever thankful for the compassionate care the Meridian At Home Hospice team
provided for her husband during the last several months of his life.
Even though we all face the loss of a
loved one at some point in our lives,
it’s an experience many of us are
emotionally unable to cope with on our
own. That is exactly how Madeline Munitz
of Freehold felt while her husband, Allan,
fought a long-term battle against a clotting
disorder that finally took his life at age 73.
"When my husband, family, and I were
faced with the end-of-life prognosis, we all
experienced fear, frustration, and confusion
on what was the best path of care for
him," Madeline recalls.
Deciding on Hospice Care
At the time, Allan was receiving in-home
skilled nursing care from Meridian At
Home for wound complications. Patricia
Thoms, a Meridian At Home registered
nurse, suggested the family approach
Allan’s doctor to take advantage of the
hospice services. "This suggestion was
instrumental in improving the quality of
life for not only Allan, but also for me and
my entire family. It was a blessing during
the last five months of his life, as we were
able to spend quality time with him."
"Many people find it difficult to initiate
a discussion about hospice options with
family members, physicians, or hospital
personnel," states William A. Lerner, M.D.,
who is board certified in hospice and palliative
medicine and is the medical director
of Meridian At Home Hospice. "When that
time comes, you’re going to be faced with
questions: who to call, what kind of care
is available, how will care be paid for,
and how long and where can hospice
care be provided. It’s important to reach
out for assistance and find the answers to
these questions."
Focusing on Individual Needs
After consulting with the patient,
their family members, and their
physicians, the Meridian At Home
Hospice team designs an individualized
care plan.
"It’s truly a team approach," adds
Dr. Lerner. "The greatest gift we
can provide families is the ability to
spend quality time with each other,
while providing comfort, privacy,
and dignity for everyone involved."
"When I was overwhelmed,
they were there for me," Madeline
states. "I can’t calculate the number
of times both Allan and I benefited
from the emotional, psychological,
and physical support that the
Meridian At Home Hospice team
provided. We called on them in the wee
hours of the night, and they even provided
off-duty visits to my home to make sure
everything was okay."
"They were truly a godsend — for me and for Allan."
 – Chris Teasdale
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Meridian At Home advisors can provide information about their Hospice Services
or any of the other comprehensive in-home services Meridian At Home provides.
Call them toll-free at 1-800-655-2555 or visit MeridianAtHome.com.
Also, you can visit the Caregiver Learning Center at MeridianAtHome.com to
view a series of short, informative videos aimed at helping you better understand
the ins and outs of home-health care.
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