STAY CONNECTED
by Kay Kornmeier, CJFS President Elect I have been a donor to the CJFS Friends Campaign since 2016, when I first learned about CJFS. As I have become more involved and learned more about the work we do, I am always impressed that CJFS finds a way to say ‘yes’ when people need help. Whether […]
. At some point in college or my early twenties, my grandmother gifted me a scrapbook full of poems, stories, cartoons, and musings, all of which had spoken to her at different times in her life. I like to think it encouraged me to start gathering my own pieces which I have saved in my […]
By LaBrena Friend, LBSW When an older adult is experiencing new age-related problems, their friends and loved ones may not always recognize what is wrong. But by taking a few proactive steps, you can find out if an older adult you know or care for needs help – and you can be part of the […]
Many people in greater Birmingham know CJFS because of our bright purple Buz-A-Bus, which for decades has been providing affordable door-to-door transportation for older and disabled adults. Or they’re familiar with CARES, our acclaimed respite program for people with dementia. But for many other older adults and their families, CJFS provides confidential services that don’t […]
By Amy Neiman, LMSW We have all experienced the signs of ANXIETY when facing an intimidating or challenging situation: sweaty hands, heart beating faster or butterflies in the stomach. These feelings are sometimes referred to as “stage fright”, “nerves” or “anticipation.” Scientifically, it is our body’s physical reaction to the stress of the unknown. At […]
by LaBrena Friend, LBSW On our calendars, we just checked off Valentine’s Day – a day when the whole world seems focused on expressions of romantic love. But how do we show love to the older adults in our lives – the parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends who have meant so much in our lives, […]
by Caleigh Rathmell Alevy, LMSW With 2023 fast approaching, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past year and resolving to change ourselves, our routines or the interests we will pursue in the New Year. When we make New Year’s Resolutions, we often focus on changes we want to see within ourselves. But what if, instead, we […]
by Amy Neiman, LMSW Difficult conversations are well, difficult. As parents, spouses and children, we must have discussions that are challenging and can be life-changing for those involved, but they are never fun conversations to begin. As we watch our parents age, these exchanges often revolve around medical care, housing and what many think of […]
by Emily Bebenek Birmingham resident Emily Bebenek, a rising junior at Wake Forest University, worked as a Hillel Connection intern this summer with our Development and Outreach team. Here, Emily reflects on a family trip that opened her eyes to the challenges of aging and caregiving. While my family lives in Birmingham, and my cousins […]
by Marcy Morgenbesser, LICSW In my role as Clinical Director for CJFS, I frequently get calls from adult children concerned about their aging parents’ living situations. Often, a son or daughter believes that, in their current residence, Mom and/or Dad are unsafe or that they need more help. Although these family members sense that their parents’ situation needs to be addressed, they may not have any idea what kind of services or […]
Julie Cohen recalls that on the road to becoming the parents of a 4-year-old and twin toddlers, she and her husband went through “a lot of pain.” “And I like to think that we’ve gone through that so that I can help others” on that journey, said Julie, manager of the new Birmingham office of […]
Family caregivers now can receive one-on-one support and guidance at no cost from CJFS, through generous grants provided by the United Way of Central Alabama and Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. “The pandemic only heightened the stress that many family caregivers were already experiencing,” said Pam Leonard, LBSW, a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Program Director […]
