Table of Contents:
- A New Resource for Older Adults and Caregivers
- Resources to Help Older Adults Thrive
- Building Connections & Aging with Dignity
A New Resource for Older Adults and Caregivers
A key component of Judaism is community. As the Talmud states, “Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh” (All of Israel are responsible for each other). Generation after generation, we have been taught that we must come together to help one another through life’s challenges.
Access Jewish Cleveland, powered by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, is here to support our community through Aging Well — an information and referral line and a dedicated webpage that brings together resources for older adults.
This new resource brings together information on the full range of programs and services available to older adults and their caregivers in Jewish Cleveland. This is also useful for individuals aged 55 and up, helping them plan and prevent future problems.
The webpage provides information about the services listed below, allowing older adults and caregivers to explore these options further. Federation and Aging Well do not provide these services directly; rather, our goal is to save older adults and caregivers time, reduce stress, and simplify access by consolidating information about available community resources in one place.
“It’s a responsibility and a calling to be able to address the needs of our elders. Older adults are a really valuable part of our community that we respect and want to give back to.”
Atara Engel, Senior Associate of Aging Well
Resources to Help Older Adults Thrive
Through Aging Well, you will find information about the following services:
Care services: Short-term and long-term support helping older adults stay in their homes by helping with bathing, dressing, grooming, cleaning, and medication reminders. There are also ways to access information about home nursing and medical social workers.
Caregiver support: Resources for caregivers dealing with the stress and frustration of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia-related disorders, including support with care planning and service coordination.
These disorders can be among the most daunting scenarios for caregivers, said Emily Shapiro, Federation’s director of planning and evaluation. This is especially true when adult children are caring for their parents and children while working full-time. “It can be a lot to cope with emotionally, logistically,” she said.
Medical support: Users can find information about/learn about services to establish goals, set plans, and coordinate various aspects of care for an elderly family member.
They can also learn about Medicaid eligibility and bereavement support. Services are available to provide comfort and support to older adults facing health problems. Older adults and their families can also obtain medical alert systems and primary and specialty care.
Transportation: One of the most significant obstacles older adults face in receiving the services they need is the lack of reliable transportation. Aging Well provides information about several resources to address this issue.
These transportation services for older adults, including those with disabilities, provide trips to and from medical appointments, for shopping, grocery shopping, social/recreational activities, senior centers, and banking.
Housing: Information is available about various independent living facilities for adults. There are also services to obtain food, household supplies, and clothing.
Food & nutrition: Older adults and caregivers can find options for obtaining food assistance, including kosher items; having fully cooked, ready-to-heat meals delivered to older adults who cannot cook for themselves; and learning about food subsidies.
Building Connections & Aging with Dignity
To maintain an active lifestyle, older adults and caregivers can access many opportunities to avoid social isolation and loneliness through Aging Well.
These include programs in lifelong learning, fitness, community engagement through classes and volunteering, arts and culture, and intergenerational opportunities. They can also build social connections through luncheons, men’s clubs, and women’s social events.
Providing this support is personal for us, said Atara Engel, senior associate of Aging Well.
“It’s a responsibility and a calling to be able to address the needs of our elders,” she said. “Older adults are a really valuable part of our community that we respect and want to give back to.”
Not sure which option is the best fit for you? We’re here to help.
