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Family Ties
From its customized surroundings to its cutting-edge capabilities and the dedicated
care of all its staff members, the newest inpatient unit at Ocean Medical Center
earns high praise from this close-knit Toms River family.
When Jeff Blazewicz talks about
his mother’s recent hospital stay
at Ocean Medical Center, he is not
only complimentary of the medical
care she received, but he is quick to
comment on the way the entire team at
the hospital made his family feel like
the focus of their caring ways.
Jeff’s mom, Jane, 76, and his dad,
Edwin, met when they were young
children, and they’ve now been
married for 56 years. "There’s no
doubt that the bond between
them is an incredibly strong
thing," says Jeff. Perhaps the
greatest test of their collective
strength came one day five years
ago, when Jane was diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s disease. The
disease would challenge Jane’s
mental capacities, but this
progressive form of dementia
also meant added responsibility
for Edwin at home.
By the time Jane had taken
ill and was admitted to Ocean
Medical Center last winter,
her Alzheimer’s had progressed
to a point that required near
round-the-clock care by Edwin.
An ACE in the Hole
The medical reason for Jane’s hospital
admission had nothing to do with her
Alzheimer’s, yet the care she received
during her stay on Ocean Medical
Center’s newest patient unit — one
of only a few in the region that can
boast of the esteemed ACE (Acute Care
of the Elderly) designation — meant that
in addition to treating her physical
ailments, Jane received very specialized
geriatric care that included a
comprehensive approach to her
overall health.
"An ACE unit is designed specifically
to meet geriatric patients’ requirements
for care, comfort, and safety," explains
Ellen Barrington, R.N., nurse manager
at Ocean.With its comfortable and
modern décor, Ocean’s new ACE unit
offers an array of subtle but significant
features intended to enhance the
healing environment. "Every little detail
counts," adds James Heacock, M.D.,
board-certified internist on staff at the
hospital and Jane’s primary physician. "From the type of lighting to the color
choices to the design and care of
the flooring, this unit comprises the
optimal healing environment for our
elderly patients."
In addition to the rooms’ bountiful
amenities, potentially lifesaving
equipment is tucked away behind
doors and even wall hangings.
"There are high-tech considerations
that go into establishing an ACE unit,"
Ellen elaborates. "Certain illnesses
and health conditions, like dementia, incontinence, and chronic wounds,
are more prevalent among an elderly
population, and intentional design
of the space allows nurses and
physicians to handle those situations
with specialized equipment and
easy access."
Rave Reviews
Jeff’s mother has since been discharged
from the hospital, and both he and his
father agree that her experience at
Ocean was good
for her. "There is
something special
about the culture there.
I can’t come up with
enough superlatives.
Each nurse we had
during my mom’s stay
was even better than
the last," he offers.
In addition to the
nursing team, Jeff notes
that many other team
members helped make
a difficult time easier
for his family. "The
environmental services
staff and the transporters
always took a moment
to acknowledge me
and my dad. Case managers took their
time working with both of my parents,
and no matter how bad of a day Mom
was having, they were always able
to make things better. The volunteers
also went out of their way to make
the experience positive." Clearly, Jeff’s
family was more than satisfied with
each particular of his mother’s stay:
"Even the food was terrific, and we
weren’t expecting that!"
 – Lynne Nouvel
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