Grant Awarded to JFCS by Janssen to support partnership program with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton
In April 2019, Robert Wood
Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ) launched Healthy Lives Hamilton,
a program designed to improve quality of life for those living with heart
failure. Through a generous grant by Janssen
Pharmaceuticals, JFCS is now teaming up with RWJ to bring our geriatric
care management skills to offer Healthy Lives Hamilton Plus.
Studies have shown that providing home visits and early
intervention upon discharge for patients with a diagnosis of heart failure have
significantly lowered the risk of readmission. JFCS will provide the services
of a geriatric care manager to discharged RWJ heart failure patients. Our care
manager and a registered nurse will assess the patients in their homes within
24-72 hours post discharge.
The home visit allows the care team to provide health
literacy skills so the patient and caregiver may better understand basic health
information and services to make informed health decisions. These include
medication usage, side effects and discharge instructions. A home visit also
allows the RN to gather information firsthand about which medications are being
taken regularly, and to better identify barriers to medication compliance or
exacerbating factors such as high sodium foods in the kitchen. The goals of
these initial visits are to increase adherence to the discharge plan,
compliance with the new medication regimen, and identify resources that are
needed including home care, medical equipment and/or assistive devices.
Our care manager will assess for activities of daily living, safety, transportation, and the level of caregiver support. Equipping patients with the necessary education and tools at home allows for the early detection of avoidable problems, improving their quality of life and reducing the likelihood of readmission.
In Mercer County, almost 40,000 men, women and children lack
consistent access to enough food to lead healthy, active lives. Often, they
don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
For 20 years, JFCS has maintained a brick-and-mortar
healthy, choice pantry at our Alexander Road offices. The JFCS Yvette Sarah
Clayman Kosher Food Pantry is one of several resources in the community;
however, we recognized that many have difficultly accessing these existing food
pantries and food banks due to limitation in transportation options, mobility
concerns and other obstacles.
The JFCS Mobile Food Pantry will bring the resources of the JFCS pantry on the road to locations across Mercer County. At each location, JFCS will park the fully-stocked truck and distribute groceries to those in need.
When patrons come to the JFCS pantry, they are provided with
guidelines by which to shop and select items. We utilize USDA nutrition
standards for a balanced diet in setting parameters for food selection. Every
patron is allowed the shop privately in the pantry and make their choice of
products in the various categories – grains, proteins, produce, dairy, etc. –
to best meet their dietary needs and preferences.
In designing the mobile experience, we remained committed to
replicating the healthy, choice-based, individualized experience for those
using the Mobile Food Pantry. The Mobile Food Pantry includes two refrigerators
and a freezer to stock fresh and frozen produce, meats, and dairy products,
along with standard shelf-staples. In the mobile experience, patrons will be provided
a shopping list and make selections based on their family size and personal
preference of products.
The Mobile Food Pantry will be making scheduled stops at
established locations in Mercer County including churches, daycare centers,
low-income housing and low-income senior housing. We are partnering with
designated sites so our patrons will not be forced to wait outside during
inclement or extreme weather conditions. Volunteers staffing each distribution
site will be there to “shop” the Mobile Food Pantry based on the completed
lists and bring the bagged order to patrons waiting inside the partner facility
or even directly to their apartment.
The first distribution stops of the JFCS Mobile Food Pantry
will be announced this month and will focus on existing partners in Princeton,
West Windsor, East Windsor and Hightstown.
2019 is
quickly coming to an end and the New Year is right around the corner.
The end of
every year end brings a sense of reflection, but when we stand at the precipice
of an entire new decade, we are even more prone to contemplation.
Although I
was not a part of JFCS 10 years ago, in my four years as Executive Director I
can see that JFCS is not the agency it was in 2010. I am incredibly proud of
how the agency – our Board of Directors, our dedicated staff members, and the
community of supporters who make our work possible – have all adapted to the
changing needs in Mercer County.
In the
last year, the agency has made incredible strides expanding the reach of our
programs to better serve those in need of mental health counseling, seniors in
need of supportive services to remain in their homes, and individuals and
families desperately in need of access to nutritious resources found in our
food pantry.
What will the new year and new decade
bring for JFCS?
The
possibilities are endless but I do know that….
Our
counseling department will continue to grow and be available to those who need
therapy. Our team includes bilingual counselors who can provide mental health
therapy in Spanish. Additionally, JFCS is one of the handful of options in
Greater Mercer County available to individuals who have Medicare, Medicaid or
are uninsured.
The senior services team remains dedicated to older adults who wish to remain in their home as long as possible. They ensure that seniors can age with dignity through our array of elder care solutions – grocery delivery to homebound seniors, provision of nutritious meals to low-income seniors at Kosher Cafés, and comprehensive geriatric care through our membership programSecure@Home.
Our food pantry will expand beyond the office walls in 2020 with the official launch of theJFCS Mobile Food Pantry. The team at JFCS recognized the challenges people face in accessing the brick-and-mortar food pantries and food banks available in Mercer County, and developed a solution. JFCS is bringing the resources of our food pantry directly to the people who need it most.
I invite you to grow with our agency into the next decade – it is only through the dedication of our volunteers, our donors, our partners that our agency can continue to serve this community.
If
you and your family are having trouble paying bills, and seeking a resource to
keep food on the table, you will find a different approach at our on-site food
pantry. The Yvette Sarah Clayman Kosher Food Pantry is a healthy-choice pantry
open to anyone living in the Greater Mercer County.
What does it mean to be a choice pantry?
Your
individualized experience will be personal, confidential and respectful at our
food pantry. We stock our pantry with shelf staples, fresh and frozen dairy,
produce, eggs, meat and more. All items in our pantry have been stocked on the
direction of a registered dietitian to ensure we are providing healthy,
convenient options to all. Anyone who utilizes the pantry is allowed to select
the products that meet their personal preferences and dietary needs.
What does a pantry “shop” look like at JFCS?
Individuals
are provided private access to our pantry for a confidential “shopping”
experience. You will be provided guidelines for selecting quantities by
category (example grains include bread, pasta, rice; example dairy include
strong cheese, shelf stable milk, yogurt; etc.) determine by size of your
families (example: a family of 4 can select 4 grain products). A staff member
will help you with selections as well as packing your groceries into bags and
bringing them to your vehicle. Every visitor to our pantry will receive our
regular newsletter with recipes using the pantry resources and helpful tips for
healthy choices beyond our offerings.
Who can visit our food pantry?
If
you’re in an immediate crisis and need food for you or your family, our pantry
is open to anyone on an emergency basis. Call our offices at 609-987-8100 to
confirm we are open and let staff know you are in need of food. A staff member
will meet you and help you “shop” the pantry according to your needs. We will
also walk you through a brief assessment to see how we can further assist –
whether it is setting you up with a monthly shopping schedule at the pantry,
connecting you to one of our other programs or services OR making a connection
to an outside agency for help with employment, financial management or
applications to benefit programs.
Improving convenience with our Mobile Food Pantry.
The JFCS Mobile Food Pantry will be on the road soon. This fully stocked truck will include all the offerings of our on-site pantry, delivered directly to those who need it most. Email us to receive regular updates on the upcoming Mobile Food Pantry stops.
Jewish Family &
Children’s Service (JFCS) will be taking its Community Food Pantry on the road
and hosting a Pop-Up Food Pantry at Christ Congregation in Princeton (50 Walnut
Lane) on Thursday, October 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Fresh fruits,
vegetables, snack foods, and non-perishable items will be available. A
vegetarian dinner prepared by congregants will be served at 6:00 p.m. and there
will also be a coloring activity for kids. Food pantry distribution is
first-come, first-served until food runs out. Open to the community.
No proof of income is necessary, but you must self-attest to need.
If you plan to attend the dinner, please RSVP to Beth Englezos at bethe@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100,
ext. 126.
Jewish Family &
Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County (JFCS) has been operating the
Yvette Sarah Clayman Community Food Pantry since 1999. The Pantry is
choice-based and allows clients to shop for their food instead of picking up a
prepared bag. This follows our philosophy of empowering clients to care
effectively for themselves and others. It is open to people of all
denominations in Mercer County.
Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads our nation in observance of Older Americans Month. We are proud that the work of our Senior Services Department at JFCS so well reflects this year’s themes: Connect, Create, Contribute.
Connect: All our Senior Programs are designed to connect seniors to each other and to the wide variety of resources that are available in our community. Secure@Home and our Geriatric Care Consultations bring the expertise of our geriatric care managers to each individual’s home, for personalized care and support. Jewish bereavement group, caregiver support groups and the Dementia Caregiver Connection all enable those affected to share their painful experiences with others and also receive support and information from knowledgeable sources. Nosh & Knowledge events bring dynamic learning to our community. Friendly Visitors pairs volunteers and older adults for a fulfilling experience for both on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.Beginning in July, we will partner with Greenwood House to create a social gathering for anyone affected with memory challenges and their care partners at Friend’s Circle: A Memory Café.
Create: At JFCS, we are always looking for new ways to respond to community needs, on our own and in partnership with other organizations. This year we have begun several new Senior Nutrition Initiatives to support the health and mental well-being of our seniors. Cooking Companions debuts this month as part of a first-time innovative national grant to bring volunteers and isolated seniors together to cook and share a meal. Shabbat on Wheels is a new addition to our long-standing Kosher Meals on Wheels program to provide a traditional Shabbat meal to seniors once each month. And our Healthy @Home Senior Nutrition Program works in conjunction with our unique kosher food pantry and our on-staff dietician to meet the dietary needs of low-income, homebound older adults in our community.
Contribute: Many of the programs mentioned above provide opportunities for seniors to contribute to their success as volunteer helpers, as well as recipients. And each and every program contributes to the overall well-being of seniors in our community by paying attention to ALL aspects of their lives: health, safety, nutrition, intellectual stimulation, socialization, spirituality and support in hard times.
We at JFCS are so proud of our Senior Service. We want to add a 4th C to the list of themes:
Compassion: This is the watchword for everything that we do at JFCS in working with our Seniors, our volunteers, and everyone who comes in contact with our Agency. We continue to look for new and exciting ways to further the goals of Older Americans Month not just in May but throughout the year.
For most couples, going out for a meal or an activity is a normal part of life. But when one of the members of the couple is memory-impaired (with Dementia, Alzheimer’s or other conditions, possibly combined with movement restrictions ), even the simplest activity is filled with anxiety and difficulty. Will my spouse act appropriately with others? What can I do to keep his/her attention focused? How can I enjoy my time out when I am so worried about my spouse’s behavior? Are there others in the community facing the same issues that I am?
JFCS has created a unique program to help caregivers and their spouses with memory impairments to enjoy time out together, combining a caregiver support group with an engaging activity for the care recipient. We piloted the program, called the Dementia Caregiver Connection Group, for four weeks in May, working with Artis Senior Living, a state-of-the-art memory care facility in Princeton Junction.
The morning began with coffee, cake and time to schmooze. Then the caregivers and their loved ones separated for the next hour. I facilitated the caregiver support group where participants could speak openly about the issues that they face on a daily basis and receive suggestions for techniques and resources. In a very short time, the group members bonded and honest conversations abounded. It did not seem to matter that each member’s situation was unique—what mattered was that they could come together to share feelings and experiences, with love and support and without judgment. There is something magical in a support group that is hard to describe—the participants experience such power in being accepted for who they are and what they are experiencing.
While the caregivers met, Artis’ art therapist worked with the care recipients on a variety of projects (woodworking, gardening, art, etc.) After the first session, the art therapist understood the needs and interests of each participant and tailored the activities to their particular personalities. The spouses were engaged and did not seek out their caregiver spouses.
At the end of the hour, the couples reunited for a delicious lunch and time for socialization. Relationships formed; emails exchanged; experiences shared; isolation banished. All care recipients returned despite some initial hesitation. They surprised their spouses with positive attitudes, memories from past weeks (in some cases) and a general sense of well-being after each session.
Many thanks to our partners at Artis who provided their caring, experienced staff, beautiful surroundings and delicious food. We look forward to the start of another four-week group beginning on Thursday, September 6th. For questions and more information, please contact Beverly Rubman at BeverlyR@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100 ext. 151.
This week, the world was shocked by news of two high profile suicides; yet the reality is there were many more lives that have been lost to suicide.
The reality is, in NJ, one person dies by suicide
every 11 hours.
The reality is, those who have been lost are fashion designers and young dreamers, awarding winning chefs and parents, isolated seniors, disconnected neighbors, your loved ones.
The reality is, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness BUT only 40% receive the help they need.
The reality is, there is a stigma that holds people back from speaking out when they are suffering. The reality is, there is a lack of general understanding of the signs, the symptoms and the most beneficial ways to help a loved one struggling with this disease.
The reality is, the conversation cannot stop today.
Together, we can keep the conversation going on mental illness, we can fight the stigma, we can reach out to those around us we see in crisis, we can recognize we are not alone. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, contact the Capital Health Crisis Center at 609-396-4357 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.
If you are struggling to cope with anxiety or depression,
Across the country, older Americans are taking part in activities that promote wellness and social connection. They are sharing their wisdom and experience with future generations, and they are giving back to enrich their communities. They’re working and volunteering, mentoring and learning, leading and engaging.
For 55 years, Older Americans Month (OAM) has been observed to recognize older Americans and their contributions to out communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, every May offers opportunity to hear from, support, and celebrate our nation’s elders.
This year’s OAM theme, “Engage at Every Age,” emphasizes that importance of being active and involved, no matter where or when you are in life. You are never too old (or too young) to participate in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotion well-being. Since 1937, Jewish Family & Children’s Service has been dedicated to helping older adults.
And, join ACL and AoA in celebrating by participating in the Selfie Challenge! They want to see how you’re engaging. Simply take a selfie (or have someone take your photo) and tweet it with the hashtag #OAM18. Visit the official OAM website by clicking here.
As we reflect on the past year, we thank you for bringing your commitment and your compassion to JFCS allowing us to serve so many in need in our community.
In the year to come, JFCS will continue to bring hope for those working to overcome personal and mental health crises.
We will bring health to families struggling against difficult circumstances, fighting hunger and malnutrition.
And we will bring happiness to senior adults who wish to enjoy their golden years.
We invite you to join us in this mission once more in 2018.
Wishing you all hope, health, happiness in the coming year!
