JFS Grateful to Temple Beth-El and Golden Manor Jewish Seniors Services
Jewish Family Service has maintained and expanded its Senior Case Management Services through the generous support both of the Kimmelman Charitable Fund of Temple Beth-El and Golden Manor Jewish Senior Services (GMJSS). Because of this assistance, JFS has been able to respond to the rapidly growing number of seniors who need and deserve community support. These seniors often face economic hardship, disability, or enormous stress related to mobility-impairment, home maintenance, transportation needs, medical emergencies, isolation, and mental illness. Even the most self -sufficient seniors may suddenly need JFS services.
A stroke, a fall, the loss of a spouse, or even the sudden loss of investment income can transform an autonomous senior into one who needs a hand. The dedicated JFS case managers assist seniors and their family members whenever they need care and coordinate services wherever the clients may be living. Because case managers retain a connection with the senior as they move from setting to setting, there are fewer errors in medical care, transitions are easier when clients change their places of residence, and the senior has a stable relationship to rely on at a time when she may be lonely and frightened. A good example was Mrs. Kogan, an 84-year old diabetic woman with a very fast-moving case of Alzheimer’s disease. She was middle class, did not qualify for poverty-based programs, but came to JFS with multiple needs. JFS worked diligently with this client and her family for 18 months through the steps of selling her home and moving to an Adult Independent Living complex and, within a year, into a Memory Care Facility. From there she went to a hospital for orthopedic surgery and then to a rehabilitation facility. JFS also partnered with her family, providing consultation, supportive counseling, information and referral. Mrs. Kogan’s situation was not unique, but the case management that JFS provided was unlike the usual patchwork of casework that is offered by each facility that serves seniors. In the past year JFS has provided direct case management services to more than 1000 seniors, their caregivers and their families. The demand for these services is increasing; JFS has enrolled 226 new clients since July 1, 2011. Temple Beth-El, GMJSS and the entire Jewish community have provided the financial means for JFS to offer quality, compassionate care to a precious commodity,
