SJM_DEPT_Aging Graciously_0523_Dept 5 / 23 / 23 3 : 59 PM Page 1 years and years is not an easy one , ” Harte says . “ We go at the individual’s pace . … When someone new is moving in , it’s L I F E S T Y L E really our residents who take ahold of them , who welcome them by inviting them to dinner , who’ll shadow them for about a month and make sure they get to the events that interest them . ” PLANNINGAHEAD ISN’T JUST THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY ONE’S GOLDEN YEARS : Facingthe Future with Dignity IT CAN BE AN ACT OF KINDNESS FOR No matter how much planning you do , unexpected medical emergencies and YOUR LOVED ONES , TOO . goodbyes that come too soon may become sudden realities . Organiza - tions like the not - for - profit Samaritan offer compassionate , home - based hos - pice and palliative services adapted to Aging byMadeleineMaccar individual circumstances . “ I encourage prospective patients to ask for help in understanding exactly what their healthcare options are , ” says Graciously Sara Pagliaro , DO , director of inpatient palliative medicine . “ Samaritan’s expert team coordinates every facet of care a epending on who you ask , growing older is either a privilege or not for patient might need . ” the faint - hearted . No matter how you look at it , though , it is a chapter with its And while it’s a hard topic to Down potential for joy and hurdles , just like every other phase of life . broach , it’s easier to do when you’re not And while many reach retirement age with the wisdom that comes with learning a life - scrambling to find care while you and time of lessons , a little bit of tried - and - true advice always goes a long way in making the your loved ones are already emotion - most of one’s golden years . ally maxed out . “ We plan for births , graduations Estateand Trust Planning and weddings , but most of us do not Renee C . Vidal , a shareholder in Capehart Scatchard’s Business and Trusts & Estate depart - plan for the one thing we will each nav - ments , knows how reluctant many are to discuss things like wills , but says it’s a crucial con - igate in life : the moment when aging or sideration that must be addressed with a qualified legal professional . illness affects the quality of our days , ” “ It’s not just peace of mind for the person who is doing the planning , it’s peace of mind Dr . Pagliaro says . “ I encourage individ - for everybody around that person who loves them to say , ‘ I love all of you and I want you to uals not to wait until they face an emer - know that I put time into this so that if something happens to me , I can take that stress gency or a new diagnosis . Have the away from you , ’ ” she explains . conversations that matter now , and put There’s no one “ best ” way to approach one’s estate , with family dynamics , special - your health care plan in place . You needs dependents , second marriages , children , business ownerships , Shore houses , high - will net - worth inheritances and more influencing how a legal document specifies the be giving a gift to yourself and to all n “ peaceful transfer ” of what the deceased left behind — and what their wishes are , both for those who love you . ” themselves and their loved ones . “ It really is sitting down with the individual and saying , ‘ What is it that you would like to SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION have happen ? ’ ” says Vidal . “ We try to create documents that have a good shelf life . … You want Finding Some to look at your plan every three to five years to just check in and see if it’s still accurate , and see Peace of Mind if anybody died , have there been any births and if there have been any significant life changes . ” Capehart Scatchard Choosing the Right Community Mount Laurel From getting to know new residents ’ interests , tastes and personal histories to offering ( 856 ) 234 - 6800 them on - site entertainment , medical treatments and services like fitness classes and CAPEHART.COM beauty salons , today’s senior care facilities look more like thoughtfully appointed , fully The Evergreens contained neighborhoods . Moorestown “ It’s very much a family atmosphere here , ” says Farryn Harte , senior manager of com - ( 888 ) 743 - 0893 munity sales and marketing at The Evergreens , a nonprofit continuing care retirement ABOUTACTS.COM / SJMAG community guided by “ loving care ” where retired educators , pilots and more add their Mount Laurel Home for Funerals splashes of colors to the residence’s collective tapestry . “ That’s really what life is about : Serving South Jersey being able to bring all of your experiences together and share them with one another . ” ( 856 ) 234 - 6900 Whether you’re looking for a senior - living facility for yourself or for aging loved ones , MOUNTLAURELFUNERALHOME.COM Harte says research and on - site visits are two of the best ways to ensure that you’re finding the community that’s right for you , both now and as your needs evolve . She advises asking Samaritan about safety measures and Medicare health care ratings — but also getting one’s family Mount Laurel involved and advocating for what you expect from your new home . ( 855 ) 337 - 1916 | ( 856 ) 596 - 1600 “ We understand that the decision of being uprooted from a home you may have lived in for SAMARITANNJ.ORG SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 20 issue 2 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 18 |