Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh

Family Consultation

Often the hardest part of caregiving is getting your loved one to accept help—from you or from professionals. Family/sibling dynamics may also be a problem. JF&CS's geriatric care coordinators have extensive experience in working with families to address "difficult" issues and help put together a well-thought-out plan for your aging loved one based on the needs and wishes of those who will be receiving care and of family members.

How We Help

• JF&CS's geriatric care coordinators have extensive experience in working with families to address "difficult" issues and get everyone working together to determine future responsibilities and to develop a plan of care.
• Our staff can help families through any interpersonal issues and/or constraints that might be inhibiting progress on developing or implementing a plan of care for a loved one.
• While helping family members evaluate their own values, responsibilities, finances and other factors, we keep the family focused on the objective: ensuring that loved ones are well-cared for in a way that is consistent with their needs and wishes.
• We can work with families in several ways depending on each family's particular situation:
  • With family members, helping them to prepare to talk with their aging parent(s) about their need for additional help.
  • With the loved one, to gradually build a relationship that will enable us to get needed supports in place.
  • With the entire family, to discuss together the need to plan for current and future issues.

Meet the People We Help

• After a debilitating fall, Jake's* elderly father can no longer care for his mother, who suffers from bipolar disorder. Their son doesn't know where to turn, especially because his parents are reluctant to seek outside help.
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• Living in a small town meant Rachel* and Avrum* didn't have access to the medical and psychological care they required as Holocaust survivors. One daughter wanted her parents to move to Pittsburgh for better treatment, but the family wasn't sure it would be the right move for the elderly couple or what help was available.
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*Name changed to protect client confidentiality.

Contact Information