WJCS helps seniors throughout Westchester County to help them stay engaged in their communities and age in place safely with dignity. We are thrilled that WJCS has been recognized as a Community Champion by the Westchester Public/Private Partnership Membership Fund for Aging Services.
Among the many programs and services offered by our Senior Care program, supervised by Judy Fink, LCSW, are: Care and Case Management which involves our staff assisting clients, families, and caregivers by providing them with the information and assistance they need, whether it is via phone calls, emails, or home visits. “We ensure that seniors obtain the programs, services, benefits and entitlements that they are eligible for, as well as providing mental health counseling, as needed”, says Fink.
At WJCS we are very aware of the stress that caregiving puts on an individual, whether it’s a family member or a hired employee. The respite program consultants from WJCS Project Time-Out provide needed time off to caregivers, to give them a break from 24/7 care, and, at the same time, provide socialization to the senior. WJCS’ kosher home-delivered meals program has expanded to reach more homebound Jewish clients, including Holocaust survivors and other vulnerable and isolated seniors, who are unable to shop or order groceries online. WJCS has joined forces with Hope Community Services to provide grocery package deliveries to homebound seniors.
Thanks to a grant from the New York State Office of the Aging, WJCS began partnering four years ago with The Yonkers Office for the Aging to create a NNORC (Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community). We provide a robust schedule of programming—both in-person and via Zoom—to keep seniors engaged in social activities. Fitness, gardening, art, and other recreational and educational classes are offered. We also call NNORC members and run support groups to ensure they don’t feel alone.
The WJCS Alzheimer’s Program includes discussion groups for caregivers to provide them with support, offered by both the professional leaders and their peers who are in a similar situation. The WJCS’ Livable Communities Program provides an array of programs to enhance the quality of life for Westchester seniors, caregivers, and staff. Through a grant from New York State Office for the Aging, we even provide animatrons (robotic dogs and cats) to help decrease loneliness among isolated seniors!
