It is an undeniable fact we must all face the aging process. Medical advances enable us to live longer, but it is up to us to ensure that we maintain a quality of life for our loved ones – one that emphasizes dignity and compassion. Now more than ever, the complex issues of caring for an aging parent require an array of medical, healthcare, psychological, and support services. Statistically, it costs 14 times more to maintain someone in a residential care facility than it does to provide home health care.

With this in mind, JFS has developed Transitions ElderCare Services, a comprehensive menu of senior care management services, administered by reliable and dedicated professionals. Our services include:

• in-home and office counseling
• medication evaluation and monitoring
• comprehensive geriatric assessment to diagnose depression, Alzheimer's, etc.
• referrals for home health aides and attendants to assist with community living
• support groups to cope with loss and caregiving
• advocacy with entitlement programs and insurance
• developing a transition plan to accommodate a move into assisted living or other residence
• transportation to medical care
• volunteer services
• information and referral

Transitions is also an organizational user of BenefitsCheckUp, a program of the National Council on Aging, which is the nation's first 50-state online service to provide benefit screening. The program was developed to address a growing problem of great concern: millions of older adults are eligible for benefits, but are not receiving them. BenefitsCheckUp helps individuals find senior programs that may pay for some of their essential items or services, such as prescription drugs, health care, and utilities. A confidential questionnaire is filled out, and, once the information is recorded, BenefitsCheckUp then returns a list of resources and contact information.

JFS cherishes the value of K'lal, and as the preferred provider for senior care management, it is our vision to ensure the same quality of care for all older adults that we expect for our own parents and family.

For more information about Transitions ElderCare Services, call 973/467-3300.