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www.theconnectionsnj.com
Spotlight on
“
SeniorS”
Keeping our aging population at home
presents its challenges. It can be over-
whelming to manage medications and
appointments, as well as other healthcare
needs. Seniors have been able to navigate
these challenges with the help of Jewish
Family Service and the Home Sweet Home
Program in conjunction with Stein Hos-
pice. The following story illustrates an
example of an older adult who has benefit-
ed from this program.
JFS received a referral from the Department
of Aging for a 78 year old client, Eleanor,
who seemed isolated and alone with few
community supports. The JFS social work-
er arranged a home visit to Eleanor and
found that she was struggling with chronic
pain and other health problems and seemed
confused about her medications. She also
seemed somewhat depressed in her mood
due to being less active and less social
because of her declining health. A referral
was made to have the nurse consulting with
JFS from the Stein Hospice, visit Eleanor
for a medication and home safety review.
JFS had recently received funding from the
Grotta Fund for Senior Care to provide this
nursing consultation service. The social
worker also made arrangements to meet
with Eleanor on a regular basis to discuss
her day-to-day concerns in order to help her
improve her quality of life despite her cur-
rent health status. During the initial nursing
visit, it was confirmed that Eleanor was
confused about her medications and was
not benefiting from them as she could have
been. In particular, Eleanor seemed to be
waiting too long to take her pain medica-
tion which left her in pain for long periods
of the day and this made her feel depressed
and incapacitated. The nurse, with
Eleanor’s permission, contacted the doctor
and explained the situation. She helped
Eleanor set up a pillbox, and instructed and
encouraged her to follow up with her doc-
tors. She also educated Eleanor on how
pain medication works and the advantage of
taking it at the onset, rather than waiting
until the pain was severe. This greatly
improved Eleanor’s pain relief.
In collaboration with the doctor, the nurse
began to educate and monitor Eleanor’s
medication regime and, after several weeks,
saw an improvement in medication compli-
ance and Eleanor reported feeling better. The
nurse continued to visit Eleanor on a regular
basis to support her improved compliancy.
During one of these visits, the nurse noticed
Eleanor’s leg was red and swollen, an acute
condition requiring immediate medical
attention. Eleanor was reluctant to address
this concern but, with urging from the
nurse, Eleanor agreed to call her doctor
who then prescribed antibiotics which
improved Eleanor’s condition.
At the same time, the social worker visited
Eleanor regularly and encouraged Eleanor
to discuss her concerns and she supported
the efforts of the nurse to help Eleanor be
informed about her medical care. The
social worker also helped Eleanor cope
with some longstanding personal issues
that bothered her and, although not
resolved, she felt better knowing she had
someone she could talk to who would try
and understand her and not judge her.
Both the nurse and social worker commu-
nicated regularly with each other to coordi-
nate their work with Eleanor. With this
coordinated effort and with Eleanor’s
improved compliance with her medical
care, she began to feel better and resumed
a portion of her previous activities which
helped to improve her overall mood. The
nurse continues to visit Eleanor periodical-
ly and calls in between visits to monitor
Eleanor’s medical concerns and the social
worker also visits on a regular basis to sup-
port Eleanor in her desire to remain inde-
pendence in the community.
JFS of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties
is committed to serving the needs of the communi-
ty and provides a continuum of programs and serv-
ices. If you are interested in learning more about
JFS programs, please contact us at (908)725-7799
or visit our website: www.JewishFamilySvc.org.
The Martin and Edith Stein Hospice based in
Somerset, NJ offers compassionate, individual-
ized hospice care to patients experiencing a life-
limiting illness and their families. For more infor-
mation about their program and services, contact
them at 888-313-0369.
JFS Helping the Elderly Age in Place
This article was compiled by Mary Farrell, LPN, a nurse at The Martin and Edith Stein Hospice and
Alexia Arntz, MSW, LSW, a social worker at Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties.
The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jew-
ish Community Center (JCC)
opened its doors to the community in
1999
and over the past 13 years has
served thousands of seniors from
Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren
Counties. The JCC is located on
Talamini Road in Bridgewater. We
are pleased to provide proper nutri-
tion and physical activities for senior
adults. Our program combines nutri-
tional kosher meals with a wide vari-
ety of social, cultural, recreational and
age appropriate physical programs.
We attract a diverse population of
seniors and all are welcome at the
JCC, regardless of race, religion or
ethnicity. Most of our seniors live in
the nearby community, with some
residing in area assisted living or
independent living facilities. The JCC
is pleased to offer Seniors life-enrich-
ing social and recreational activities.
We offer hot kosher meals twice a
week, and free transportation is avail-
able from certain areas. The JCC Sen-
ior Program currently serves nearly
200
seniors. The seniors thrive on the
activities and entertainment, but most
importantly, the social contact and
friendship.
Many of our Seniors exercise in our
Fitness Center and also participate in
Senior Group Fitness classes. The
JCC Fitness Department offers any-
where between 12 and 15 classes a
week that are specifically geared for
seniors, including Silver & Fit Senior
Strength and Range of Motion,
Zumba Gold, Water Fitness. Personal
Training is also available.
Our salt based, zero access indoor
pool is uniquely constructed with
access via a gently inclined 12-foot
wide ramp. The ramp runs the entire
25
foot length of the pool and allows
our seniors and those with physical
disabilities to gradually enter the
pool. A special wheelchair is available
for pool access. There are also sauna
and steam rooms which have thera-
peutic benefits.
Our weekly GrandFriends Intergen-
erational program has been enjoyed
by our seniors and pre-school stu-
dents for years. Holiday celebrations,
story time, cooking, crafts and music
have all become part of our Grand-
Friends program which offers a host
of benefits for everyone involved.
Many senior adults do not have chil-
dren or grandchildren living nearby,
and this program provides an oppor-
tunity for interactions with children
in a positive environment.
The JCC offers a wide variety of
social events to keep our seniors con-
nected to the community and
beyond. There is weekly entertain-
ment, Mah Jongg and Bridge, movie
days, lectures by prominent authors
and community leaders, as well bus
trips to museums, cultural arts per-
formances and more.
For further information on the JCC
Senior Program, please contact
Lisa Kopman, Adult & Senior
Program Director at 908-725-6994
x206; LKopman@ssbjcc.org. Visit
our website at www.ssbjcc.org.
SENIOR PROGRAMS AT THE JCC
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