Planning Your End of Life Care

 

The end of life is not an easy subject. Every individual confronts the reality of mortality in different ways; some are making end of life care plans for a parent or ill loved one while others are experiencing end of life care themselves.

One thing is for sure: we will all go through an end of life at some point. Planning ahead to have a comfortable close to your beautiful story should be discussed long before you find you or your loved one in this phase.

Not all variables of end of life care pertain to someone who is close to passing away. In many cases, these variables are hashed out decades before a person is either eldery or falls ill. The focus should be less on life ending and more on enriching one’s entire life.

End of Life Care Is For The Living

While the term itself sounds like a pessimistic topic, end of life care is actually for the living. This pertains to both the individual that the plan is for and the friends and family that remain once said person has passed away.

For example, it should bring tremendous peace of mind to a young couple knowing that if one of them became ill or were incapacitated at any age, their wishes and affairs are in order. This is why it pays to plan ahead long before anything occurs.

A more positive view is that this young couple will both live to be much older and pass on peacefully. But even so, the last thing you want to do is start planning for end of life care during the end of life. Planning long before means that no matter what, your affairs will be handled. 

What Does End of Life Care Entail?

From medical assistance to financial plans, end of life care covers a vast array of your or your loved one’s wishes. In addition to that, an end of life care plan can also detail what happens to you after you or a loved one has passed.

Medical arrangements are taken care of in a living will. For example, it may be outlined in an end of life care plan that an individual does not wish to be kept alive artificially, where they establish who decides to end life-sustaining medical measures.

Financial details and who handles savings accounts, such as an IRA or a 401K, are integral in an end of life care plan. Likewise, organizing an individual's insurance and bank information makes sorting through any financial documents much easier.

We Have Your Care In Mind

Here at Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services, we pride ourselves on providing exemplary customer service, including being part of end of life planning. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs.

To discover more about how we can serve your needs and help give you and your family support, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.

Important Information About Hospice Care

The end of life is not an easy subject to discuss, let alone experience. Understanding hospice care is something many avoid until the time comes, which often complicates the process and creates stress during a time of grieving.

This is why learning about hospice care prior to it ever being needed in your life is necessary, so when the day comes where you must consider it for someone close to you, both you and they can experience physical and emotional comfort.

If you are currently helping transition a loved one to hospice care, know that you are doing the right thing. Too often, the term ‘hospice’ has a negative connotation correlated with giving up, when truthfully, it is there to improve the life of an individual.

Individual Attention

As opposed to the traditional care you find elsewhere, hospice care is much more personalized. Firstly, there are two levels that allow for patients to be taken care of at home, where a hospital setting is not required.

Caregivers and nurses that work in hospice care are experts in pain management for those individuals who are suffering from a terminal illness. These medical professionals get to know your loved one well, so they know exactly what procedures to implement as a way to keep them always comfortable.

Watching over an aging or ill loved one can be emotionally draining and not always the best option for everyone. With this unique level of end-of-life care can and will help you and your family and friends grieve properly while knowing the individual in hospice is cared for similar to how you would.

Hospice Covers All Ages

The unfortunate reality of life is that end-of-life care is not exclusive to the elderly. An individual of any age who is struggling with an illness deemed terminal, where they are expected to pass away in six months or less, makes hospice care a viable option.

In the case of a terminal illness, the level of care received in hospice is even more vital for quality of life. As a matter of fact, there have been many instances where a younger, ill individual was moved to hospice care only to improve in health and be moved out for the time being.

Ceasing curative treatment is not required to be moved to hospice care, though if one chooses to end treatment for an illness that has been deemed ineffective, hospice is by far the best choice. As previously mentioned, pain management specialists are there to help increase comfort and ease suffering.

Personalized Funeral Planning

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning.

Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of years. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today.

Honor Those Who Died While Fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces

Although Memorial Day is known as a fun holiday, filled with friends, family, picnics, and barbecues, that marks the beginning of the summer, it’s important to celebrate Memorial Day for its true purpose. Take a moment this Memorial Day to honor those who lost their lives while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly those who died as a result of injuries or in battle. Remember, this holiday is different from Veteran’s Day as it specifically honors those who sacrificed their lives to protect you and their country. 

It doesn’t matter if you know someone who has lost their life while in the U.S. Armed Forces or not, you should still pay your respects. There are many small things you can do on Memorial Day to honor their lives, including: 

• Saying Thank You. Write a thank-you note to a veteran for all of their service! Go visit veterans in person and listen to their stories, or write a thank you letter to a veteran that an organization can deliver for you. It’s never a bad time to thank the living for the service, and it may make you appreciate those who lost their lives even more. 

• Parades. Attend a parade or event that celebrates Memorial Day. Many local governments and towns will organize events that provide great opportunities for you to honor those who served. These parades are usually appropriate for people of all ages too, so you can feel welcome to bring babies or young children to celebrate with you.

• Flags. Buy some flags and decorate fallen soldiers' graves with American flags, or even just red, white, and blue. You can also decorate your house or lawn with these colors and flags, the same way you might for the Fourth of July. If you have a flag pole, you may also consider flying it at half staff on Memorial Day from dawn until noon time. 

• Flowers. If you’re not into flags or American colors, then decorate graves or your home with flowers to pay respects. You may also consider buying poppies from Veterans of Foreign Wars, the proceeds of which serves as a donation for state and national rehabilitation and service programs for veterans. 

• National Moment of Remembrance. Take a one minute pause at 3PM wherever you are to reflect on your freedoms, as well as those who died to give you those freedoms, while living in the U.S. 

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today. 

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Sources: 

https://www.usinspect.com/blog/5-ways-celebrate-memorial-day/

https://www.parents.com/holiday/memorial-day/traditions/patriotic-ways-to-celebrate-memorial-day-with-kids/

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history#section_4

Journaling for Grief

Our minds are astounding, conceptual systems invisible to the naked eye. The physical organ at the helm is our brain, but the only tangible measure of human cognition is our behavior; a series of unique responses to stimuli that is in no way replicated between two individuals.

When you consider the everyday functionality of the brain, or even the speed at which said functionality occurs every second of our lives, it is no wonder that when the shock of loss takes place in our lives, it struggles with sorting through the emotions of tremendous grief and necessary coping that come in tow.

While individual behaviors and responses to trauma do differ from person to person, we all experience grief in loss. We cry, feel anger, struggle with fear, or bottle up those emotions to remain strong for our friends and loved ones. Yet in one way or another, we are grieving before we start to cope and heal.

It Is Not Simple For Everyone

Nevertheless, there are those who take much longer to heal or possibly cannot move past the loss of a loved one, especially one that is unexpected.

Our brains being in charge of every vital function of our physical being and the emotional epicenter does tend to reach capacity at one point or another. This can cause a glitch in our systems, which many may experience as anxiety or depression, or it becomes an itch we cannot scratch, prompting anger.

So how do we clear our mental browser history, so to speak? Many have their preferences, but a proven method for several different individuals is journaling through their grief.

Emptying What Is In Our Minds

Our feelings are intangible and as previously mentioned, invisible to the naked eye. This makes them feel insurmountable, as we are physical, visual creatures. How can we overcome a feeling that we cannot get our hands on or walk away from?

Journaling about our grief makes those feelings tangible and in doing so, allows them to physically occupy our space and become a visual item our brain better understands. Also, let’s not forget that journaling is writing, and writing is an art form. Many art educators attest to the reality that art is our way of understanding ourselves, our identity, and the world around us.

Therefore, when you journal, especially with a pen and paper as opposed to a computer, you are physically putting your thoughts and emotions somewhere, removing them from your mind and putting them in a medium you can better understand.

We Are Always Here

In your time of grief and loss, we at Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services want to be part of your healing. Our team prides itself on our customer service in funeral planning and burial needs, with personalized attention paid to the sensitivity and individuality of you and your family’s grieving process. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website to call or email us today.

Ways to Save Money on Funeral Expenses

When someone you love dies, you naturally want to celebrate their life to the fullest extent but that can cost upwards of the thousands of dollars. In the United States, there is an average of 2.4 million funerals a year, usually costing loved ones between $8,000 to $10,000. Preplanning your funeral will not only give you peace of mind that all the details and expenses are taken care of, but it takes the burden of planning off your loved one’s plate so they can grieve. If this step hasn’t been taken care of, you may be wondering what ways you can cut down on the expense of a funeral. Here are some tips to consider according to Wiki. 

Consider cremation.

Cremation is an alternative to traditional burial and offers a number of benefits in terms of cost. As a result, any budget-minded person should consider cremation as an option. When thinking about cremation, remember:

• Prices are substantially less than those for a full burial. While traditional burials could cost $10,000 or more, the average cost of a cremation is between $2,000 and $4,000. The price disparity is because you are saving money on a casket, embalming, and a variety of other products and services.

• Normally the funeral home will make the necessary arrangements for you and will call you when the remains are ready to be picked up.

• One way to save even more money on cremation is to arrange it directly through a crematory, rather than through a funeral home.

• Several companies offer already made, or custom-made, urns. Do comparison shopping for the best price. Urns can cost from as little as $100 to several thousand.

• You may want to forgo the urn and, instead, scatter the ashes in a special location.

Think about donating the body to medical research. 

Donating your loved one’s body to medical research is an important option to consider. Donation to medical research will both benefit the larger society and help enable you avoid the cost of a cremation or burial.

• You should consider your loved one’s thoughts on donation to medical science. Many people who want to be donated to science put a stipulation in their will or will otherwise inform friends and family of their wishes.

• If you (or your deceased loved one) favor/favored this option, you can contact your local university or hospital to see if it is a realistic possibility.

• This is by far the least expensive option. Normally the only cost of the donation is transportation. After that, you just have to choose and plan a memorial service.[2]

Set a budget. 

Depending on your choice of a final resting place, your budget will vary widely. Ultimately, though, your budget will in effect act as a guideline for every other step you take after establishing it. As a result of this, figuring out a budget should be your first priority when you begin the process of planning a funeral.

• Take into account any life insurance, burial insurance, or other money the deceased has left behind or specifically earmarked for their final expenses.

• Figure out if other friends or family want to or are able to contribute to your loved one’s final expenses.

• A good funeral director will help you work within your budget to create a service that will feel meaningful and special.

 Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today. 

Sources:

https://www.policygenius.com/life-insurance/how-much-does-a-funeral-cost/

https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Funeral-Expenses

American Heart Month/ Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Did you know your heart beats around 115,000 times per day and pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood every day? Even though the heart weighs only around 1 pound its essential role in the body is like no other, and that’s why keeping your emotional and physical health in check is critical. The good news is, an estimated 80% of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are preventable., however, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer. Here are eight steps to prevent heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. 

Stop smoking

If you smoke, quit. If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to quit. We know it's tough. But it's tougher to recover from a heart attack or stroke or to live with chronic heart disease. Commit to quit. We're here to help if you need it.

Aim for a healthy weight

Obesity is highly prevalent in America, not only for adults but also for children. Fad diets and supplements are not the answer. Good nutrition, controlling calorie intake and physical activity are the only way to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity places you at risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and insulin resistance, a precursor of type 2 diabetes — the very factors that heighten your risk of cardiovascular disease. Your Body Mass Index (BMI) can help tell you if your weight is healthy.

Manage diabetes

At least 68% of people >65 years of age with DM die of some form of HD; 16% die of stroke . Other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity can greatly increase a person with diabetes’ chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

Reduce stress

A few studies have noted a relationship between coronary heart disease risk and stress in a person's life that may affect the risk factors for heart disease and stroke. For example, people under stress may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would. Research has even shown that stress reaction in young adults predicts middle-aged blood pressure risk.

The heart is part of your body’s circulatory system. It’s made up of the atria, ventricles, valves, and various arteries and veins so keeping your heart healthy is important as ever! These are some of the many tips that will help you lead a healthy lifestyle. Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today. 

Sources:

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/life-after-a-heart-attack/lifestyle-changes-for-heart-attack-prevention

7 Stages of Grief

Grief is often discussed after the loss or a loved one, but don’t be fooled, there are plenty of other circumstances where one may experience grief and all the stages that come with it. You may experience grief after experiences such as losing a job or ending a relationship. Whatever you are going through, recognizing the stages of grief will help you recover and heal so you can feel like your best self as soon as possible. 

Although many people are familiar with the Kubler-Ross Model of the 5 stages of grief, some believe in the more inclusive 7 stage model of grief, which combines 2 more stages of grief together. These stages, in order, include: 

1. Shock/Disbelief. When you experience a loss unexpectedly, it’s only natural for you to experience shock and some level of disbelief. This may be a coping mechanism to help you avoid the pain of losing someone or something, and you may feel some emotional numbness to protect yourself from an overwhelming sense of sadness. It’s also not uncommon to have physical symptoms of nausea and dizziness during this stage. 

2. Denial. While some may experience denial in the form of literally denying the death of a loved one or loss of a job or relationship happened, others may experience denial by denying they are going through a hard time, affected by the loss, or denying themselves the opportunity to express their feelings. Denial may come from a lack of understanding of what happened, and until you can fully come to terms with what has happened, you may not come out of the denial stage for a while. Remember that there is no standard timeline for grief, and you should take all the time you need to process your emotions. 

3. Guilt. After reviewing and reflecting upon what has happened, it’s natural to regret not saying or doing something at the moment, or even feeling like the loss is directly your fault. These feelings are not logical or rational, and given that you are going through an overwhelming and chaotic time, you may feel an enormous amount of pressure emotionally. This can be scary and confusing, so find healthy ways to work through it, possibly by journaling or working with a life coach. 

4. Anger/Bargaining. Feeling angry with yourself for not being able to change the situation is a very real part of the grieving process. You may also just have feelings of anger because of the enormous amount of emotions you are sorting through, and you may take those feelings of anger out on other people, even if they have nothing to do with what has happened. You may find yourself then bargaining and trying to turn the situation around, however, this may end up leaving you feeling more powerless than before. 

5. Depression, Loneliness, and Reflection. During this stage, you may have come to terms with the circumstances, and have accepted the situation, but are now feeling intense feelings of sadness and depression. Because of this, you may want to spend more time alone. Though this is a good time to reflect on your emotions, try not to get too trapped in your depression and loneliness. Try staying active, making time to visit your loved ones, or even planning some type of trip outside of the house to help you regain a more positive outlook on life.

6. Reconstruction. When you return to a clearer state of mind and more normalcy in your life, you will begin wanting to sort things out to begin life as it was before your grief began. This may be returning to pay more attention to your physical health, your financial problems, or other daily tasks that one may lose sight of during the stages of grief. It’s great that you are beginning to move on, just remember that it’s okay to still have feelings of sorrow and sadness during this time. No one expects you to move on quickly!

7. Acceptance. Acceptance comes with the ability to say, “I recognize this happened, I can cope with these feelings, and I will be okay.” You may think about your loss, but you won’t feel an immense sense of pain anymore, and you may have more feelings of hope and positivity. 

Adolf Funeral Home and Cremation Services prides itself on providing exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your funeral planning and burial needs during this sensitive time of grief and mourning and will do whatever it takes to make our positive workplace environment translate to your experience with us. Adolf Funeral Home has been serving the Berwyn and Willowbrook areas for a number of years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. To discover more about how we can serve your needs, please visit our website or call one of our locations today. 

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Sources: 

https://www.thrivetalk.com/7-stages-of-grief/

https://www.medicinenet.com/loss_grief_and_bereavement/article.htm