Senior Engagement
Jewish Family Services is dedicated to ensuring that older adults feel supported, engaged and connected, and can live as independently as possible for as long as possible. JFS’ team is sensitive and responsive to the special needs of all seniors regardless of faith, race, nationality, gender or sexual orientation.
Friendly Outreach
JFS staff and trained volunteers provide friendly visits to seniors living independently in their own home or in residential senior communities. Visits provide regular social interaction and can reduce feelings of isolation.
Care Management
JFS assists in coordinating and planning care for older adults. Our staff helps to develop an individualized plan to connect to services such as meals, transportation, housing, financial support, health options, social activities and other benefits. With an emphasis on maintaining dignity, the JFS Food Pantry provides food. During holidays too, like Rosh Hashanah and Passover, JFS delivers bags with special holiday treats to those who might otherwise go without enjoying a bit of tradition.
Counseling
The aging process presents different issues and challenges. Our counselors are experienced with these challenges and can help with:
- Life’s transitions
- Grief and loss
- Stress
- Depression and anxiety
- Family relationships and
- Other life decisions that arise with the aging process.
Whether someone lives at home or in a senor residential community, JFS therapists can help retain and/or improve emotional quality of life. JFS serves on multiple insurance panels, accepts Medicare, Medicaid and provides therapy on a sliding scale for those who qualify.
Holocaust Survivor Services
JFS is committed to enhancing the quality of life for our community’s Holocaust survivors. The senior engagement staff has the knowledge, expertise and sensitivity to address the unique needs and interests of this community and their family members.
In addition to regularly scheduled programs designed to connect, engage and support the survivor community, Holocaust survivors and their family members can access all of the other JFS Senior Engagement services: Friendly Visits, Care Management, Counseling, Caregiver Education and Support, senior Programs and Celebrations.
Caregiver Education & Support
JFS recognizes the unique needs of caregivers and offers a variety of support to this community who often times must show up for duty 24/7 when caring for a loved one.
Our next monthly caregiver support group will begin in October and will meet in person the first Tuesday of every month from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. at the JFS Office. Meetings are open to all members of the community.
JFS staff is well versed in the challenges of caregiving and the community resources that are available for caregivers and their loved ones.
Senior Programs & Celebrations
JFS provides relevant and meaningful educational programs and coordinates Jewish holiday and cultural celebrations throughout the community. These experiences touch the lives of seniors living on their own or in a senior residential community, often times becoming the one connection our Jewish seniors have to their culture, heritage and traditions. JFS provides:
- Educational lectures
- Jewish holiday celebrations
- Friendly visits
- Weekly Shabbat Services
Resources
Coming soon.


Sheryl Gerrard, MA, GC-C
Senior Engagement Manager

Amanda Levine MSW, LCSW-A
Senior Engagement Therapist
For More Information on any of our senior services or to arrange a visit
from our Senior Engagement staff call JFS at 704.364.6594