STAY CONNECTED
For Lise Grace, Assistant Director of CJFS CARES respite program, the work is personal. When she first joined CJFS, she was quietly navigating one of the most challenging chapters of her life: her husband Dan was living with early-onset Alzheimer’s. “Before Dan’s diagnosis, his personality changed drastically,” Lise shares. “He became paranoid and verbally abusive, […]
By Meredith Stutts, LICSW Do you ever feel overwhelmed, pulled in multiple directions at once? Trying to balance relationships, excel at your job, be the perfect parent and/or care for your aging parents? More than 50% of Americans over the age of 40 are simultaneously caring for both growing children AND their aging parents, otherwise […]
by James Cannon, LMSW Memories are powerful. They can shape our decisions. They also help us reflect on ourpast in ways that alter our point of view or transport us to other moments in our lives. Nostalgia,on the other hand, is more than just a fond memory. Nostalgia is defined by longing. Sometimesthis feeling of […]
This January, CJFS welcomed two exceptional social workers to our team: James Cannon and Meredith Stutts. We’re excited to introduce them during Social Work Month this March, a time when we celebrate the invaluable contributions of social workers nationwide. This year’s theme, “Social Work: Compassion + Action,” resonates deeply with the dedication James and Meredith bring […]
Caring for a loved one with memory loss or a movement disorder is an act of profound love—but it can also be isolating, exhausting, and overwhelming. Caregivers give so much of themselves, often putting their own needs aside to ensure their loved ones receive the support and attention they need. At CJFS, we understand that […]
by Caleigh Rathmell Alevy, LMSW Caring for a loved one is deeply meaningful but can also be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. When caregiving ends with loss, grief can amplify feelings of guilt and isolation. Self-care is essential for resilience and healing. Challenges of Caregiving Burnout, compassion fatigue, and neglecting personal needs are common struggles. […]
by Amy Neiman, LMSW Ms. Green and her sister have lived together for the past 15 years in a house not far from the CJFS office. When her sister first moved in, they did what most close sisters do. They gardened, watched the birds, shopped together and played Bridge. They split the bills and reminded […]
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 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 Pam Leonard, LBSW, CDP Twice a week, in my role as director of the CJFS CARES dementia respite program, I co-facilitate virtual support groups with Lise Grace (CARES Assistant Program Director) for family caregivers of people with dementia. CJFS initiated these support groups more than twenty years ago, before CARES existed. We offer these […]
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 […]
