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Dear Caregivers,

Welcome to another week and Chag sameach! (Happy holiday!) May this Hanukkah bring blessings upon your family and may your candles burn bright this season.

See below for this week's news and announcements.



JFS COMPASS HOLIDAY GATHERING

JFS COMPASS Holiday Gathering

Tuesday December 12, 10:30a-12:00p

Location: SIEGEL JCC, Gameesh Room (building connected to JFS)


Please join us tomorrow for a holiday gathering for COMPASS patients and caregivers to come together with each other and with the COMPASS Team this season. Feel free to join for some or all of the time. The mood will be festive, with refreshments, music and games.


A late-breaking addition to the festivities is the inclusion of a small raffle for a Hickory Farms gift box! Raffle tickets can be purchased during the party for $5/each or $12/3 tickets by cash/check or electronically (via QR code scan).


Please RSVP by responding to this email.

CAREGIVER TIP OF THE WEEK: BOUNDARIES   

Part 4 of 4: Healthy Boundaries


Today we conclude our Boundaries series, adapted from content originally authored by JFS Fellowship Program Director, Wendell Covell, LCSW. We hope it will continue to be a helpful support to you as we head into the holidays.


Healthy boundaries exist when we value our own opinions, don’t compromise our values for others, know our own wants and how to communicate them, and can accept when others say “no” to us. Healthy boundaries are so important for us, especially when we are in a care giving role. They take care of us and keep us safe, but they also allow for intimacy and healthy relationships. 

In order to establish healthy boundaries in our relationships it is important to do 4 things: 


Define – Identify the desired boundary that we want. If you notice something is off with your boundaries or a relationship take some time to yourself to think “what do I want,” and go from there. 


Communicate – Say what we need, what the boundary is, and what our expectations are. It is important to keep the focus on ourselves during this time and make it about what we need and how it is connected to our boundary 


Stay Simple – Don’t over explain our boundaries, or why we chose them. This kind of interaction can get us stuck in conflict and take away from what we are trying to establish. 


Set Consequences – It is important to only state consequences you can follow through with. Sometimes it means you are going to have less communication, sometimes it means that you won’t talk to them until they change how they manage the boundaries you set, and sometimes it just means you aren’t going to share as much personal information in the future. It is whatever works for you with each relationship, but it is important to state the consequence with the person you are in relation to. 


Setting boundaries is a huge deal, and it’s not an easy task. If it’s something you want to work on, be gentle with yourself, and if you need anything, as always, the COMPASS team is here for you--please reach out with any needs.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

JFS COMPASS Holiday Gathering

Tuesday December 12, 10:30a-12:00p

Location: SIEGEL JCC, Gameesh Room (building connected to JFS)


Please join us for a festive gathering for COMPASS patients and caregivers to come together with each other and with the COMPASS Team this holiday season. Feel free to join for some or all of the time. Pizza and soda will be served.


A late-breaking addition to the festivities is the inclusion of a small raffle for a Hickory Farms gift box! Raffle tickets can be purchased during the party for $5/each or $12/3 tickets by cash/check or electronically (via QR code scan).

COMPASS Caregiver Therapy and Support Group

Wednesday December 13, 5-6 PM


Did you know that the COMPASS community has an ongoing therapy group for caregivers? The COMPASS Caregiver Therapy and Support Group is co-led by JFS social work clinicians (Emily Barnshaw and Jordan Gerecke) and is billed through our participant’s insurance. It is strictly for COMPASS caregivers, and the focus for each session is on introducing and developing various therapy concepts that directly connect to the caregiving experience and stress that comes with it. It is an active group, and participants often use their insight and personal experiences to take the conversation into productive and new directions. We meet virtually on a bi-weekly basis (every other Wednesday from 5-6pm). Due to insurance, this group is only available to caregivers who reside in Delaware.  


Please note that the Caregiver Therapy and Support Group will be held on Wednesday 12/13 as scheduled and will then take a pause, resuming on Wednesday 1/24 at 5p.


Also please note that this group is currently at capacity. If you would like to be added to the waiting list, please email Kate. 

COMPASS ON CALL SERVICE:

PHONE NUMBER: (302) 530-3159         


HOURS: Weekdays/Business Days: 5PM – 8AM

               Weekends/Non-Business Days: 24/7

  • The COMPASS On Call service is available to assist with urgent patient/caregiver needs related to the patient’s dementia care plan, such as providing support and guidance if the patient is experiencing a behavioral symptom crisis or if the caregiver is experiencing a caregiver stress crisis
  • The COMPASS On Call Service is staffed by JFS clinical staff from across the agency, including social workers and care managers, who work closely with the COMPASS team. Your call will be returned within 1 hour. 
  • Non-urgent needs, such as canceling/rescheduling appointments or prescription refill requests, are best addressed by the COMPASS team during business hours. Non-urgent information can still be sent to COMPASS team members after hours by voicemail or portal message.  
  • Patients and Caregivers are directed to contact the patient’s primary care provider regarding concerns related to the patient’s general medical conditions and any urgent medical symptoms. For medical emergencies, call 9-1-1. 

COMPASS PATIENT PORTAL:

Access the COMPASS portal here or click on the box below.

COMPASS PATIENT PORTAL

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The JFS COMPASS Mission is to provide specialized medical care for older adults with dementia and just as importantly, critical support for their caregivers—including education, counseling and improved access to services—with the over-arching goal that patients and families affected by dementia in our community will receive the care and support they need to navigate the challenges they face. We strive to do this with a spirit of service and compassion. 

Jewish Family Services of Delaware (JFS) is a nonprofit human services agency with a mission to strengthen individuals, families, and the community by providing counseling and support services. With an interdisciplinary and innovative approach, we combine talent, expertise, and leadership to make our robust therapeutic and support services available to everyone, regardless of religion, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or special need.

99 Passmore Road
Wilmington, DE 19803

20684 John J Williams Hwy, Suite 4
Lewes, DE 19958

(302) 478-9411
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