Page 8 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - December '21

Page 8, Jupiter Ocean Mile

Financial Focus Jupiter Medical Center

Don’t Avoid “Taboo” Topics Leads The Way In Patient Safety

With Older Parents Jupiter Medical Center received an “A” Hospital Safety After measurements of medical-error prevention, injuries,
Grade for the seventh consecutive time from nationally accidents, infections and other patient safety issues are
By Sally Sima Stahl respected watchdog organization, The Leapfrog Group. The analyzed, each hospital is given its “A” to “F” grade.
If your parents top rating is awarded only to those hospitals across the country Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
are getting close to committed to the highest national standards of patient safety. “Jupiter Medical Center has made a clear and consistent
retirement age, or are Jupiter Medical Center is the only “A-rated” hospital effort to protect patients from harm,” said Leah Binder,
already retired, it may in Palm Beach County and the only hospital in the area president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Establishing
be time to talk with to have received seven consecutive “A” grades. and maintaining systems that optimize patient safety is
them about financial The Leapfrog Group assigns a grade between “A” and especially critical during times of crisis. I am grateful to
and aging issues, some “F” to more than 2,600 general hospitals across the country. the leadership and workforce of Jupiter Medical Center
of which may involve The grade uses over 30 measures of safety data including for their unwavering dedication to protecting patients.”
difficult conversations. rates of preventable errors, injuries and infections. It also Jupiter Medical Center
For the sake of everyone accounts for whether hospitals have systems in place to Rated No. 1 in the region for quality, safety and
in your family, don’t protect patients from harm. Leapfrog Hospital Safety patient experience, Jupiter Medical Center is the leading
avoid these “taboo” topics. Grades are considered the “gold standard of patient safety.” destination for world-class healthcare in Palm Beach
You’ll need to be careful about approaching these “Safety is one of the foundational elements for patients County and across the Treasure Coast. Jupiter Medical
subjects with your parents. Mention ahead of time when deciding where to undergo care,” says Dr. Amit Center’s state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge
that you’d like to talk to them about their future plans Rastogi, president and CEO of Jupiter Medical Center. “This technologies enable its award-winning physicians to
and reassure them that you want to understand their national designation assures that the healthcare provided provide a comprehensive continuum of inpatient and
wishes, so their affairs will be taken care of as they by Jupiter Medical Center is the safest possible in Palm outpatient healthcare services. Jupiter Medical Center’s
would like. Beach County and the Treasure Coast. Achieving seven specialty centers of excellence include: orthopedics and
If your parents are agreeable, choose a location consecutive ‘A’ grades is a testament to our commitment spine care, comprehensive cancer care, cardiac and
comfortable for them and ask whom they might to providing the highest level and quality of care.” vascular care, neurosciences, maternity care, Level II
like to invite (or not invite). Then, think about how The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital neonatal care, pediatrics, emergency care, diagnostic
to open the conversation, preferably not with what ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention imaging, concierge services and urgent care.
they want to do with their money – this could be of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system For more information about Jupiter Medical Center,
interpreted as your seeking information about your is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. please call (561) 263-2200 or visit www.jupitermed.com.
inheritance or being skeptical about their financial
decisions. Instead, build a broad-based discussion
about their vision for their aging years. A series of Experience Dentistry with a Woman’s Touch
shorter conversations may allow you to cover topics
more comfortably, one by one, rather than trying to
solve everything at once.
Try to address these areas: Cosmetic & Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry
• Health Care – You’ll want to learn if your parents
have established the appropriate health-related legal State of the Art & Same Day Restorations
documents – a health care power of attorney, which
gives someone the authority to make important Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation Available
decisions about their medical care if they become
unable to do so themselves, and a living will, which
spells out the extraordinary medical treatments they Joanne Green, D.D.S.
may or may not want.
• Independence – As people age, they may begin to 10887 N. Military Trail, Suite 6
lose their independence. Have your parents considered Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
any options for long-term care, such as a nursing
home stay, or the services of a home health aide? And (561) 622-2815 • www.joannegreendds.com
do they have plans in place? If they plan to receive
support from family members, do their expectations Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry - Cum Laude
match yours? Hospital of the University of Penn - General Practice Residency Training
• Financial goals – Focusing on the personal and Harvard Dental School - Former Instructor
financial aspects of the legacy your parents want Boston Brigham and Women’s Dental Group - Staff Dentist
to leave can be a valuable conversation. Have your
parents updated their will or other arrangements,
such as a living trust? Have they named a financial
power of attorney to make decisions on their behalf if
they become incapacitated? Do they have the proper
beneficiary designations on their insurance policies
and retirement plan accounts? If you can position these
issues as being more about your parents’ control over
their financial destiny, rather than “who will get what,”
you’ll more likely have a productive conversation.
• Last wishes – You’ll want to find out if your
parents have left instructions in their will about their
funerals and last wishes. Express to them that you,
or another close family member, should know who is
responsible for making sure their wishes are met.
Money, independence and aging can be sensitive
topics. Don’t think you have to go it alone – you can
enlist help from another close family member. Or, if
you know your parents are working with a trusted
advisor, such as an attorney or financial professional,
you could see if they’d be willing to have this person
participate in your talks. You might even be able to
introduce them to one of your advisors.
In any case, keep talking. These conversations can
be challenging, but, if handled correctly, can be of
great benefit to your parents and your entire family.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by
your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward
Jones. Member SIPC.
Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors
are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or
legal advice. You should consult your estate-planning
attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your
situation.
Call me for a free portfolio review at (561) 748-
7600, Sally Sima Stahl, AAMS, 1851 W. Indiantown
Road, Ste. 106, Jupiter, FL 33458.