Education Programs & Community Services

Communication for the Hearing Impaired
Shore Memorial Hospital offers the following communications devices to deaf or hearing-impaired patients upon request. For assistance, please dial “0” for the operator.

• Flashcards are available in every patient care area.
• A TTY communications device is available through the Communications Department
• Volume adjustable phones are available upon request
• All telephone instruments, including pay phones, are hearing aid compatible.
• Sign language interpreters can be arranged, subject to availability. For further information, please dial the patient representative during regular office hours, at extension 3241.
  

Social Services
Understanding and coping with an illness or an accident are vital to health maintenance. The Social Services Department works to assist you with your needs while in the hospital. The Social Services Department provides assistance with financial concerns, charity care applications and counseling needs. Social Services will also assist you or your loved one with home health services, community service linkages – such as Meals On Wheels or outpatient services, and with rehabilitation or nursing home placement. Social Services is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30AM to 5PM. You may reach them at extension 3628 (or 609-653-3628).

Advance Directives/Living Wills
It is strongly recommended that you put in writing your specific wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment, and choose a person (healthcare representative) to make these healthcare decisions for you should you be physically or mentally unable to do so. The best way of making your wishes known in advance is to write an advance directive (also known as a living will). If you have further questions, contact the Patient Relations Office at 609-653-3241

Click here for an example of a living will. (PDF format, English version)
Click here for an example of a living will. (PDF format, Spanish version)

Organ or Tissue Donation
New Jersey law requires hospitals to determine upon admission whether patients have made an anatomical gift, or organ donation, and to whom the gift was made. The hospital is then required to maintain this information as a part of the patient’s records. This law amended previous New Jersey laws, which authorized people to make anatomical gifts and allowed people to note in a card attached to their driver’s licenses that they have made an organ donation.

In accordance with the New Jersey state law of “Required Request”, the healthcare providers of Shore Memorial Hospital encourage patients, families, significant others and members of our community to consider organ and/or tissue donation as an option in a crisis situation. For information on the donation process or if you need a donor card, please phone extension 3667.

Professional and Associate Education
The Department of Organizational Development offers a variety of Orientation and Continuing Education Programs for Employees, Volunteers, Physicians, Students, Contracted Staff and the Community.
Click here for details.