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 […]
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 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 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 Marcy Morgenbesser, LICSW, CJFS Clinical Director. Older adults are often referred to CJFS because of one acute problem – say, they’re grieving the death of a spouse, they have serious financial problems or their loved ones have noticed they’re growing forgetful. But while working with the client to deal with that problem, our clinical […]
by Gail Schuster, LCSW We all wonder what “normal” is when it comes to different stages of life. One of the stereotypes of aging is that it is normal to feel depressed or anxious. The truth is feeling this way is NOT normal, but it also not uncommon. A recent study from the American Journal […]
by Marcy Morgenbesser, LICSW Alice, 67, has bipolar disorder and lives alone in a subsidized senior housing community. She has been a CJFS client since 2017, receiving Personal Care and Care Management services, Counseling and riding the Buz-A-Bus. When the pandemic hit, CJFS suspended face to face services, but Amy, Alice’s CJFS Social Worker, continued to […]
by Cynthia Bryant, LICSW The COVID pandemic has obviously impacted everyone’s life. Just when you think you have adapted to the current reality, new information and recommendations emerge. Every day there seems to be a new report about vaccine effectiveness, mask guidelines and daily totals for active cases and mortalities. In addition, we hear of […]
by Amy Neiman, LMSW With four pre-teens and teenagers under one roof, our family has some interesting discussions. Due to the pandemic, they have been hanging out at home even more for over a year. Our discussions range in topics from detailed explanations of Minecraft worlds to college essays and current events. Throw in a […]
by Pam Leonard, LBSW, CDP What can we do to help ensure that as we age, we maintain our cognitive and physical health for as long as possible? We already know the importance of a healthy diet and exercise, and we know it can be helpful to work puzzles, learn about new things and generally […]
by LaBrena Friend, LMSW Have you delayed health care visits to avoid potential exposure to Covid-19? If so, you are among millions of people who have postponed care, thinking the pandemic would be “over soon.” By now, you may have missed nearly two years’ worth of screenings for cancer, diabetes and heart disease, as well […]
By Cynthia Bryant, LICSW You’re attending, or maybe hosting, a holiday party or family dinner – yay! Or is it nay? Holidays, and the way we anticipate them, can be complicated. We may generally look forward to catching up with friends and family. And yet, the most delightful gathering can be dampened when someone behaves in a way we perceive as crude, unkind, overbearing or provocative. With some people, these moments can even be predictable … and […]
by Gail Schuster, LICSW, ACSW My client, Joan, was excited about joining her sister Nan to celebrate the wedding of Nan’s son in Washington, D.C. Joan, who lives alone, was especially looking forward to some special “sister time” after the wedding at Nan’s home nearby. But those plans were dashed by COVID-19. The wedding, […]
