Ongoing Crisis Response Help Here
Help us help the community DONATE NOW
Ongoing Crisis Response Click Here
For Families and Caregivers
You are worried about your aging parent or loved one who is in need of some assistance. Perhaps you are a primary caregiver who needs some support yourself. We can help.
Information and Referral
AgeWell Pittsburgh, a multi-agency collaborative resource created to help older adults live well, offers an information hotline where a knowledgeable specialist will help answer your questions and help you connect with services for your aging parent or loved one.
How We Help
The AgeWell Pittsburgh information and referral hotline is answered by a real person who is up-to-date on local services and places to find information. We provide information and support for the whole family.
CONTACT US TODAY
JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org
Family Consultation
Often the hardest part of caregiving is getting your loved one to accept help—from you or from professionals, especially when family dynamics are involved. JFCS’s licensed clinical social workers can help you broach the subject and move on to developing and implementing a realistic plan.
How We Help
JFCS staff have extensive experience in working with families to address interpersonal issues, deal with financial concerns, determine future responsibilities, and get everyone working together to develop the plan of care.
We keep the family focused on the objective: ensuring that your parent or loved one is well-cared for in a way that is consistent with their needs and wishes, but satisfies your concerns about their safety and well-being, and your own.
CONTACT US TODAY
JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org
In-Home Geriatric Assessment
Our experienced geriatric social workers visit clients in their homes to complete a thorough, multi-dimensional assessment. By evaluating clients in their homes, the social worker is able to make first-hand observations of the living environment and how the client functions in it.
How We Help
Our comprehensive assessment covers the following aspects of a client’s life:
• Health concerns and medication management
• Nutritional intake
• Activities of daily living (such as bathing, getting dressed)
• Mood disorders like depression and anxiety
• Cognitive functioning
• Socialization
• Exercise and physical activity
When this assessment identifies areas of potential concern, the geriatric social worker will educate the client and family members about additional services from either JFCS or other community-based providers that could address any deficits and benefit the client.
Please note that in-home assessments are limited primarily to areas within the boundaries of Allegheny County.
CONTACT US TODAY
To learn more about Geriatric Care Management at JFCS, contact JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org
Home Care
Caregiver Connection is a Pennsylvania-licensed Home Care Registry through which JFCS provides fully screened, trained and experienced caregivers for short- or long-term engagements, with 24/7 back-up coverage as needed.
How We Help
Fully-screened and trained caregivers can provide home-based services that ease the difficulties brought on by advanced age, recuperation after an illness or surgery or the challenges of managing special needs. Specialized services from personal care and light housekeeping to dementia care are available.
As a non-profit organization, JFCS charges a small administrative fee, but all other fees are negotiated with and paid directly to the caregiver, saving money without compromising quality.
CONTACT US TODAY
JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| info@pghcaregivers.org
Personal Emergency Response
Help the older adult in your family live independently with confidence with the ElderAlert personal emergency response system. Emergency assistance is available at the push of a button. 24 hours a day. 7 days a week.
How We Help
Trained technicians install the ElderAlert system, instruct the client on how to use it, and test it monthly.
The button-activated base unit connects to the telephone with a built-in battery backup. An alarm sounds alert when the system is activated. There is also a button-activated waterproof, miniature emergency alert pendant or wristband that is effective up to 250 feet from the base unit. A low-battery signal contacts the response center and a technician will come and replace it.
CONTACT US TODAY
JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org
Holocaust Survivors
Most Holocaust survivors are widows and widowers now in their 80s and 90s. They may feel isolated, depressed, alone and anxious. Their ability to cope with the challenges of illness and aging can be complicated by the suffering, loss and deprivation experienced during the Holocaust.
How We Help
JFCS’s program for Holocaust survivors addresses the unique needs of Jewish victims of Nazi persecution through services including home-based care, counseling and help in filing claims for reparations.
Social services for Nazi victims are supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Inc.
CONTACT US TODAY
JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org
Counseling and Support
Aging presents challenges that can feel overwhelming for everyone involved. For aging adults, it might be a growing mental infirmity, the death of a spouse or the loss of independence. For adult children, it may be the stress of juggling the care of an older parent with the demands of families and jobs.
How We Help
Our professional staff of licensed clinical social workers and consulting geriatric psychiatrist are adept at addressing the psychological challenges of aging, and its effect on both seniors and their families and caregivers.
After a comprehensive evaluation, we offer a wide range of services including individual and family counseling, services for those unable to come into the office and psychiatric assessment and medication treatment.
CONTACT US TODAY
JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org
Care Management
Geriatric care management services at JFCS connect older adults with the resources they need to live as independently as possible. Care management services can also be valuable to support older adults and their family members as they prepare to transition to a facility, such as a personal care home.
How We Help
The care management process begins with an in-home geriatric assessment (SEE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT, ABOVE) by a licensed clinical social worker who has expertise in the unique issues faced by older adults.
After completing the assessment, the social worker will develop a care plan that details the client’s needs and makes recommendations and/or referrals to various providers for appropriate services. The care plan may address issues such as:
• Medication management
• Bill-paying/paperwork
• Medical appointments
• In-home non-medical caregivers
• Transportation
• Assistance with placement in a facility
• Ongoing monitoring of the client’s status
• Communication with family members as needed
To learn more about Geriatric Care Management at JFCS, contact Maxine Horn, Information and Referral Specialist……..
CONTACT US TODAY
To learn more about Geriatric Care Management at JFCS, contact JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org
AgeWell Rides
Seniors ages 60+ who no longer drive and qualify can apply to have a friendly volunteer drive them to local medical appointments, shopping or activities.
AgeWell Rides is a collaborator in Open Your Heart to a Senior of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
How We Help
AgeWell Rides keeps you active and independent, by providing volunteer drivers for short, local rides, allowing older adults to be less dependent on family members for transportation. Available in Squirrel Hill, Oakland and Shadyside. We also collaborate with Travelers Aid, to provide back-up drivers for medical appointments, using Lyft and Uber.
AgeWell Rides is always in need of volunteers. We provide training, flexible hours, and a convenient web-based scheduling system.
CONTACT US TODAY
JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org
AgeWell Visits
AgeWell Visits helps older adults 65+ remain connected to the community by arranging friendly home visits from volunteers.
AgeWell Visits is a collaborator in Open Your Heart to a Senior of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
How We Help
If the senior in your life lives alone or spends hours alone each day, a friendly visit can help alleviate loneliness or depression, and keep them connected to the community.
AgeWell Visits volunteers will chat and listen, help with small household projects like watering houseplants or organizing photo albums, play games like Scrabble or cards, or engage in any number of easily shared activities to help brighten a senior’s day.
AgeWell Visits needs friendly volunteers! Do you enjoy spending time with seniors? Are you a reliable and friendly person? We provide training, a convenient, web-based scheduling system, and free background checks.
CONTACT US TODAY
JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org
UCLA Longevity Center Memory Training
If the senior in your life has trouble remembering names, faces or where they put things, has “tip of the tongue” memory challenges, or forgets upcoming appointments or activities, this innovative, research-based program for adults over age 60 can help them strengthen their memory.
How We Help
The four-week program, taught by certified trainers in a fun, engaging atmosphere, focuses on strategies that develop good memory habits and techniques to improve memory. Sessions include group discussions, memory checks, and skill-building exercises, and booster sessions are also available to reinforce memory skills gained during the course.
This program is not intended for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
CONTACT US TODAY
JFCS Senior Services | 412-422-0400 or 1-877-243-1530 (toll free)| seniors@jfcspgh.org