Working With Seniors in Our Community

Working With Seniors in Our Community

Note from Andy: This month, in place of my regular column, I invited Lynne Azar, Jewish Family & Community Services Outreach Coordinator, to share her thoughts. 

I began my position with Jewish Family & Community Services and the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown in June 2021, to serve our growing elder population of the Mahoning Valley. I split my time between JFCS and the JCC.

Through my position at JFCS, elder community members can complete their advance directives (health care power of attorney and living will) for free and have them notarized. I spend much of my time out in the community, with visitations and presentations, providing resources and referrals. I also answer several calls a week, asking for assistance and guidance for a loved one that may need care at home, transitioning from hospital to a rehab facility or placement into long term care. If I cannot answer your questions, I will refer you to a vast network of agencies that are also trying to help elders in the community.

I have had the privilege of assisting many members of the JCC over this past year and continue to do so. I have also been able to guide staff members with their aging parents, and assist them with the resources they will need to care for them.

JFCS received two major grants to fund some of the outreach seniors in our community, from the Mahoning County Mental Health Board and The Trumbull County Mental Health Board. These grants have allowed us to purchase technology, such as Amazon Echos, which we have given to elder individuals and other organizations that serve elders, such as our own Adult Day Services at Heritage Manor Rehabilitation & Retirement Community. Ipads were also purchased for other organizations to assist with activities and programming. Robotic pets were purchased and distributed to residents of Heritage Manor and Paisley House.

The funding has been used to improve the lives of our elder community members. Meals have been delivered, gift cards for groceries given, and hygiene kits supplied. Through grant funding we have purchased Virtual Reality Goggles and a tablet. We are working with the company Rendever that provides the goggles and online content that is streamed to the goggles. Residents at Levy Gardens Assisted Living and other assisted living facilities have had the chance to go on a hot air balloon ride, meet African elephants up close, travel to Israel and other countries, and so much more. Virtual Reality gives them the freedom to explore in a safe environment. There is the power of a shared experience that creates socialization and communication.

At the JCC, I provide programming for seniors who are members of the JCC. Tech Tuesdays is designed to assist seniors with technology challenges. Seniors have learned to better understand and use smartphones; use online tools; set up Gmail; register for MYCHART or other medical databases; group text; text an image, article or recipe; cast from a phone to a TV; use Google maps; and so much more. It’s been great to have Akiva Academy students assisting with these classes for intergenerational learning.

Caregiver Cafe is a support group that  Laura Haas, MSW, and I lead, for caregivers, providing counsel, resources, and support, free and open to the community. Lunch Bunch is a once a month lunch and learn for seniors to come and have a free lunch and learn from community professionals on topics regarding aging. We average 40 to 60 individuals and have had positive feedback for our presenters.

I am proud to work for an organization that values the elder community and provides them with the assistance they need. We have an amazing Silver Sneakers program at the JCC and an active elder community. If you or your family members are in need of my services, please free free to call JFCS at 330.746.7929.

Lynne Azar
JFCS Outreach Coordinator