If you or a loved one were facing a terminal illness, would you know where to turn for information about end-of-life care?Every year, half of the American population will be touched by the death of a friend, family member or colleague. Hospice providers across the country are united in urging all adults, regardless of age or circumstance, to learn more about end-of-life care options that can transform dying into the final act of living well.There are four general questions that should be explored before one is touched by the unsettling reality of a terminal prognosis, explains Ann Klein, RN, VITAS patient care administrator in New Jersey North. They are:1. How will pain be managed?2. If the patient prefers to remain at home, what kind of assistance and in-home care will be available?3. What role can family members have in patient care?4. How will the spiritual and emotional support necessary for quality end-of-life care be administered?Hospice is an end-of-life care option that answers all four questions, Klein says. Tailored to the needs of each patient and family, hospice provides care to patients diagnosed with a terminal illness. It includes expert pain management, but also goes beyond medical care, providing emotional and spiritual support that most Americans believe is an important aspect of end-of-life care.Hospice care is provided by a multi-disciplinary care team comprised of doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy, and trained volunteers. Hospice care typically is provided in the home, allowing the patient to stay in a familiar setting surrounded by family and friends. Home is loosely defined, so terminally ill residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities can receive hospice care without having to consider moving.Medicare, Medicaid and most private health insurance plans provide coverage for hospice services. The Medicare Hospice Benefit is an all-inclusive benefit and includes coverage for physician services, nursing care, home medical equipment and medical supplies, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications related to the patient's terminal illness, counseling, spiritual support and bereavement support for the patients' loved ones. Patients and their families receive all benefits without any additional co-pays or ancillary payments.Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Robin Marshall, General Manager of VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of New Jersey North. For more information about hospice, visit the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, www.nhpco.org, or call VITAS at 973-994-4738.

1. Do Your Research Dont just hire the first mover you come across. Look for online reviews and ratings from past customers. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the company. Look for mover associations and certifications that prove the company is legitimate.   2. Get a Written Estimate Always get a written estimate of the total cost before signing a contract. Dont rely on verbal agreements or estimates over the phone. Know exactly what youre paying for, including any additional fees or surcharges. Some scam movers will offer a low quote initially, only to hike up prices later by adding fees not mentioned in the contract. 3. Insurance & Coverage Ask if they carry insurance and find out what type of coverage, they offer in case something is damaged or lost during the move. Legitimate movers will carry insurance that covers damages that occur during transportation. Without it, youll be responsible for the costs of any damage.  4. Review the terms of Service Take your time to review the terms carefully and dont sign it until you understand everything. Read the fine print and ask for clarification on anything you dont understand. Look for the cancellation policy in case you need to change your moving date or cancel entirely. A legitimate mover will make sure you understand everything before you sign.  5. Get their Contact Information Get contact information for the company and their employees in case you need to follow up on anything during or after your move. Make sure to get a working phone number and email address for the company in case anything goes wrong. If you have any questions, contact the company directly rather than relying on a third party. Make sure the company provides accurate addresses to avoid fraudulent activities.  6. Make a List (or Request One) Make sure to make a list of the content in your home, especially your most treasured items. Or get a copy of the inventory list with all items being moved. Dont be afraid to ask for a copy of the list, even if the movers are in a hurry. Make sure the inventory list is detailed and accurate to prevent damage, missing or stolen goods.  7. Never Pay the Full Amount Upfront Legitimate movers wont ask for full payment before the move is complete. Theyll usually only ask for a deposit upfront (a 25% deposit is the standard). Instead, pay the deposit and only pay the full balance after the move is complete, and youve verified that all your items are there and in good condition.  For more information on how to protect your move, read our blog here!  Let WayForth help you with your next move by utilizing our personalized services. These include downsizing, space planning, packing and moving, unpacking, storage and settling into your new home. Contact our moving professionals today at 1.844.WAYFORTH. 

Understanding Transfer Trauma  Moving to a new place is usually filled with a mix of excitement, apprehension and stress. But for those living with Alzheimers disease or dementia, a transition to a new community can trigger a huge range of reactions.  What is transfer trauma? Those facing Alzheimers or dementia who are in the early stages of the disease may encounter this type of trauma especially if they are leaving a familiar home and moving to a new community. Symptoms may be mild or severe and can include sadness, anger, anxiety and depression. There can be more confusion than normal, sleeplessness, poor appetite and even nausea. Family and friends may see the transfer trauma last for a few days or several weeks.  How to Plan the Move You can help mitigate transfer trauma by working with the persons family members, caregivers and healthcare team. Finding the right community for the person and making sure they have the appropriate level of care should also be considered.  Using a professional move management company that specializes in senior moving services can also help. The team at WayForth understands the emotional and physical challenges of a move like this and can help with several services such as downsizing, packing and unpacking, and space planning to lessen the stress on the person moving as well as their family.  Making a Loved One Feel Comfortable Encouraging them to do familiar chores such as making coffee or watching a movie in their new space can help them feel at home.  Joining an Alzheimers support group where you can talk with other families who are experiencing similar things that you are going through can help.  WayForth is a certified senior move management company here to make your transition stress and hassle-free. Our moving professionals handle everything from downsizing, packing and unpacking, to storage. Contact us today at 817-697-4478 or go to our website to learn more!

Here are WayForth's 5 tips for selling your house quickly and for more money: Stage Your Home One of the most important steps in selling your house is staging it effectively, but also efficiently. Buyers need to be able to envision themselves living in the house, so take time to declutter, deep clean, and repair any necessary items, but dont go overboard. But at a minimum, focus on decluttering, removing personal and unnecessary items and leaving the home as clean and open as possible. Price it right Setting the right asking price is essential if you want to make a quick sale with minimal time on the market. Working with an experienced realtor who can provide some insight into both current market conditions as well as comparable listings in your area is critical. Take Good Photos In todays digital world, many people will be seeing your property online before they even set foot inside it. Investing in quality photographs that can accurately capture how great your space looks will help attract more buyers and entice them to schedule a viewing appointment faster. Make Repairs (but not renovations) Buyers have high expectations when it comes to buying a home, and many struggle to see past even basic defects, so before listing yours make sure all those minor fixes have been addressed from squeaky door hinges to cracks in drywall to leaky faucets! Leverage Social MediaSocial media is an incredibly powerful tool that can help reach potential buyers matched specifically for your house! Once the listing is complete and your realtor is ready to launch the marketing campaign, be sure to share the listing on your own social media and encourage friends, family and especially neighbors to do the same.  At WayForth, we can help you with almost every step of the process, while also making sure you get settled in with minimal stress wherever you might be going. We can get you started whenever you are ready by doing some basic decluttering and packing. Give us a call at 817-697-4478 or go to our website to learn more!