JFCS Spotlight - July 2023

Who takes care of those in our community who do not have enough support as they age? When it comes to poverty among our elderly neighbors, unfortunately, thousands struggle to meet their basic needs. It is disheartening that some of our most vulnerable citizens do not have a “support system” or the financial security required to compensate for that lack of support. So what can we do to make a difference in their lives? It is up to us, the collective community, to ensure that our homebound and frail older adult population is cared for through direct service, advocacy, and volunteerism.

At JFCS, it is core to our mission to safeguard our older adult population and facilitate their ability to live and age with dignity in their own homes. This is accomplished through diligent case management, various social services and entitlements, and a robust volunteer program that work in tandem to meet the essential needs of our elders. Dwindling health, lack of exercise and socialization, inability to access healthy food, and, often, a lack of affordable housing are among the challenges we address daily to support our older adult clients. Some come to us directly asking for help, some are referred to us by friends or neighbors, and some are introduced to us by concerned adult children, but regardless of who they are or their particular situation, our goal is always the same - providing comprehensive, compassionate, and high-quality care.

Our Older Adult Services are highlighted through this real-life client story. Over this past year, we have been serving a 78-year-old woman who lives on her own in an apartment in Hudson County. She has no children or family in the area to help her, which only exacerbated her unhealthy eating habits, excessive weight loss, and overall loneliness. Her neighbor noticed these troubling signs and called JFCS on her behalf to see what we could do. We reached out immediately to begin our assessment and got to work on building a plan for her. Soon after, she began receiving KMOW (Kosher Meals on Wheels). This constant supply of nutritious (and free) meals helped our client regain her lost weight. What she values nearly as much as the meals is the camaraderie she has built with her KMOW driver - they often chat and spend a few minutes together when the delivery is made. She is so appreciative of the food and friendship that she calls our KMOW coordinator regularly to thank her.

It is incredible how a little nourishment, for both body and mind, can impact a person's life. That is the goal we strive to achieve every day - uplifting our older adult clients so they can live in the safety of their own homes with respect, purpose, and happiness.

Dear JFCS family,

I hope that you are enjoying these steamy days of summer. Hopefully, you’re taking some time off, and, for the children in your lives, maybe it’s camp or travel or just relaxation at home, far from the pressures of school.

If you’re lucky enough to have grandparents or great-grandparents in the area (or anywhere, in fact), we hope that the summer affords you more time to visit with and even pamper those older adults in your lives whom you may be the critical human connection who they rely on. For so many older, frail, and isolated adults, there is nobody…no family…friends are gone…connections have been lost. JFCS care managers are here for those who are alone and for all the older adults in Northern New Jersey who need help. If we cannot provide the help needed, we will guide you to that help. JFCS staff are also at the ready, at any time to consult with seniors and/or their family members before a crisis occurs, to plan and strategize when someone seems to be declining in some way and their wellness and self-care are becoming a concern.

Of course, the same level of compassion and comprehensive care our Older Adult team of care managers provides is also offered in our other Pillars of Service: Mental Health, Food Insecurity, and Basic Needs Assistance. We are here to strengthen one’s existing support system or to step in and be that support system, and we are so very proud and humbled by our essential work.

So, on behalf of all of our clients, I want to thank all of you who support JFCS through your philanthropy and volunteerism for enabling us to support so many others!

Wishing you, your family, and your friends a fun and happy summer!

Susan