STAY CONNECTED
by Mark Driskill, LICSW-S “What people say and what people do is all about them and not about you.” For many years I’ve used this statement as a kind of mnemonic to help me remember that a person’s words and behaviors inform me about them and really have nothing to do with me. Someone may have […]
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 […]
by Caleigh Rathmell Alevy, LMSW As I exchange pleasantries with a passerby, my children often ask, “Who was that?” Their curiosity never gets old. Sometimes, the person is a friend and I explain how I know them; but often it’s a “stranger” and I’m simply acknowledging them with a wave or a smile and a […]
. 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 Mother’s Day is a special day where we take time to honor the women in our lives. It is a reminder to reach out and express our love and gratitude. For me, this year is bittersweet as it marks a decade since my mom’s passing when I was only 30 years […]
Socializing with others makes most of us feel better about ourselves and about the world. For people affected by dementia, social interaction has a proven additional benefit: improved communication and cognitive function. This is certainly the case at CARES, CJFS’ respite program for people affected by memory and movement disorders such as dementia and Parkinson’s. […]
by Anna Read, CJFS Fund Development & Outreach Director Recently, my mom underwent knee replacement surgery. For the first time in a decade, discussions about her Will and Advanced Care Directive surfaced. As she a I delved into her important legal documents, it struck me that my siblings and I hadn’t broached “the talk” with […]
by Amy Neiman, LMSW I told myself that 2024 would be less stressful. Seriously. I had a conversation with myself while I was walking my dogs. I was going to be more organized. I was going to plan out dinners for the week. I was going to walk these dogs every day – rain or […]
By Mark Driskill, LICSW-S I remember watching cartoons as a child and seeing one in which a character had an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. Each of these was trying to influence the main character to behave in a particular way. Sometimes I remember this when I talk to clients […]
by Executive Director, Lauren Schwartz, MSW This is a time of uncertainty, fear, anger, pain, and sadness. The shock and brutality of the Hamas attacks have left our Jewish community in a state of emotional crisis. Regardless of the degrees of separation we have from that attack, we are–all of us–affected and are trying to […]
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 Gail Schuster, LICSW, ACSW ‘Denise’, who is in her 40s, had worked with the same company for more than a decade. She had always considered herself fortunate to work in a supportive professional environment, where she was well compensated and performed work that had a positive impact on others. She had believed it highly likely she […]
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 Pam Leonard, LBSW, CDP The emotional and physical demands of family caregiving can be overwhelming under the best circumstances. When you add anxiety and self-doubt into the mix, the strain only worsens. Anxiety can lead a family member to believe, falsely, that they are failing in the role of caregiver, and that whatever they […]
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 Elaine Witt First, her mother fell and broke her hip, leading to a partial joint replacement. Then she fell again, this time fracturing her arm. That was when Maria Whiting knew it was time to move her mother, 79-year-old Blanche Taylor, from her from her home in Pensacola to Birmingham, where Maria has lived […]
By Pam Leonard The decision to move a family member into a long-term care facility can be difficult. Family caregivers often feel guilty when they begin considering such a move. They may feel it is their responsibility to care for their loved one at home. They may be concerned that a facility will not be […]
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 […]
