By Janice Berte
Jewish Family Service of Metro West (JFS) is a nonprofit social service agency with over 35 years of experience in providing quality care to elders in the community.
“With family and friends working overtime and the needs of elder care being so complex, it takes a whole community to provide support so that older adults can maintain independent lives and have peace of mind,” said Malka Young, director of Healthy Aging and Geriatric Care Management.
JFS offers many Healthy Aging Programs for 60+ adults from all backgrounds that live in MetroWest. Partnering with other organizations in the community such as the Framingham Housing Authority, the Callahan Center, Bay Path Elder Services, Beacon Communities and the YMCA, JFS has specifically designed programs which enable residents to become more active and engaged where they live.
These services include: Care Management and Caregiver support, Health and Wellness programs, Information and Referrals, Homecare, Friendly Visitors, Lifeline Medical Alert, Enhanced Medical Escort Services, (Patient Navigator Program), Home Safety Evaluations and Geriatric Care Management.
With the baby boom generation living longer, there is a growing need for these programs. Also, as we age, there is a tendency to isolate due to relatives who live far away, loss of a job, medical problems, or adults who cannot navigate through the technological changes in our society. Many parents or grandparents feel that they do not want to bother their children or want to become a burden to them. However, letting your health go or missing appointments will not only be costly but could cause major health problems if not addressed. Some elders feel that they can handle the day to day responsibilities until something goes wrong, and that is when these programs will be there for them for support.
Because of these concerns, JFS has designed its programs to help people achieve and sustain healthy lives and independence. In addition to its professional staff, JFS has over 200 trained volunteers to help children in after school programs, tutor immigrants to become citizens, visit isolated elders or accompany patients to medical appointments, providing them with practical and emotional support. All volunteers have background checks done before they can start their important work. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with JFS, call 508-875-3100 or email sroth@jfsmw.org.
In addition to the free services JFS offers, there is fee-based assistance if a parent or loved one has been in a hospital or will need to go into a facility. JFS can offer personalized help and advocacy for things such as discharge planning, long distance care giving, regular monitoring visits, referrals to lawyers, financial planners or physicians.
Another educational program that is offered at JFS is the Lunch and Learn program. This program is held every other month, starting in September and going through June. It offers a delicious catered lunch for only $3 in advance, with guest speakers offering advice on a variety of topics.
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Doreen Nemeth, former director of SHINE, will present “Choosing Your Best Medicare Options”, just in time for open enrollment. Other experts have presented “Why we grow happier as we grow older” and “Difficult conversations at the end of life”.
For more information about its services and upcoming programs, call JFS of Metro West at 508-875-3100 ext. 180 or visit www.jfsmw.org.
