Serenity Hospice Inpatient Unit

My father suffered for two months with complications of colon cancer, staying in hospitals the entire time. From the moment he was hospitalized, every day was faced with immeasurable pain and suffering. Unfortunately he declined moving to hospice for too long, and his suffering was prolonged because of the need for life sustaining measures.

The day my dad decided to go to hospice, the process took a matter of course. I received a call from Serenity to help figure out logistics and go through the consent forms via Docusign, so everything was digital and very quick. I was texted instructions with parking information, how to enter the building, where to go, and what to do. My father was transported via ambulance to Serenity. I think the time between signing the papers and having in a bed there was around four hours.

From being bedridden in a hospital for two months, my dad looked a mess. His hair was long and shaggy, he hadn’t properly bathed, and was just not the man I knew. For his whole life he was always very clean cut, and this was not the dad I knew. As others have said, the first thing the care team did upon arrival was bathe him and style his hair. He looked like my dad again – finally with some dignity.

He was given pain medications and sedatives around the clock to make sure he was comfortable. For the first time in weeks he had no pain. It made me realize that the only thing keeping him somewhat lucid and awake was his pain. Shortly after, he stayed asleep. I slept by him in a fold-out bed (very thin, smaller than a twin bed, but it suits the purpose) for five days. At one point of of the nurses noticed that I hadn’t really left much/at all and made sure I was eating and taking care of myself. He even offered me some pizza that the nursing team had ordered.

We can’t change that our loved ones are going to pass away, and sometimes we can’t change the overall circumstances of their passing. But I am so grateful to the team at Serenity for everything they did to help make my father’s passing more comfortable and dignified. It’s the last memory I have of my dad, and I can’t thank you enough for making it better than it otherwise would have been.

My mother came to the inpatient unit after we were no longer able to meet her needs at home. We tried a nursing home and knew she didn’t want to go back to the hospital, thank god we learned about serenity inpatient unit from our doctor. James walked us through the process and took time to go over everything. We wish we found them sooner. Once she arrived, the Aides and Nurses made her feel welcomed and immediately helped control her agitation. Thank you to Sam and Lori; The staff treated our mom (and us) with respect and dignity. We aren’t the easiest family to handle, and Serenity was patient and understanding. Wish there were more of these types of places ❤️

Thank you all for everything you did for my grandma. She recently passed away, and I can't express how much it means to my family and me that you made her last days so comfortable. You treated her with so much love, and I have nothing but great things to say about the care she received.

We brought my dad to Serenity after three grueling months in a hospital. Unfor his body had been through too much to recover.

When he arrived at Serenity Samantha bathed him, washed his hair, and shaved him. When I first entered his room he looked like dad again. He was no longer a patient in a hospital. His room was beautiful and peaceful. Samantha compassionatly explained everything to me. I was worn down from the hospital stay, but I immediately felt comfortable at Serenity.

Over the next couple days we had nurses Joanna and Marissa, along with social worker Lindsey, and they all so wonderful. When my dad was able to speak I asked him if he was ok, he said, "this is like home, its good."

My dad passed with dignity in a calm and peaceful setting. ...his care was beyond excellent. Samantha, Joanna, Marissa, and Lindsey are four incredible human beings.

Thank you so much for taking care of my dad.

With warm regards,
-Fred V. Everett

The staff here make a difference in people’s lives every day. Everyone on the unit showed compassion, empathy and guidance at a time when a family needs it most.

Although no hospice inpatient stay is ideal, Serenity makes the environment as comfortable and calming as possible. They not only treat the patient but also the grieving family and friends.

Special thanks to the woman who played the harp and of course the therapy dog Louie. There’s a reason why Serenity is the best hospice in NJ and Pennsylvania