For many seniors, especially those who live alone, life can become progressively more challenging and isolating, compromising their ability to age well and safely in place. According to a report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, nearly one-quarter of adults age 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and 43% of seniors age 60 and older report feeling lonely. Social isolation is described in the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community (Murthy, 2023) as “having few social relationships, social roles, group memberships, and infrequent social interaction” (Badcock et al., 2022; Holt-Lunstad & Steptoe, 2021) and loneliness is defined as “a subjective distressing experience that results from perceived isolation or inadequate meaningful connections,” (Prohaska et al., 2020; NASEM, 2020), both can be harmful to one’s emotional and physical health. Socially isolated seniors are associated with an increased risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, and death. Loneliness is associated with higher rates of depression, which may impact motivation to maintain one’s physical and mental health.
Addressing issues faced by the elderly is increasingly important in Westchester County, New York, where people 65+ compose the fastest-growing age group and represent 18.4% of the population in 2022.
Seniors living on limited incomes in Westchester often face insecurity, with 8% of seniors 65+ living in poverty and more than 39% of people 65+ living alone.
Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), one of the largest human service agencies in Westchester County, New York, serving people of all ages and backgrounds, is dedicated to helping seniors age in place safely and with dignity. We recognize that seniors often experience health challenges that make shopping, driving to medical and dental appointments, and socializing difficult. Being involved in the community becomes a struggle. The death of a spouse or friend, the demands of being a caregiver, and the difficulty of traveling to see friends can all create a sense of social isolation. Those who enjoy and are no longer working often lack a sense of purpose and vitality.
WJCS offers a wide range of programs, services, and activities to help seniors maintain a sense of safety, identity, self-esteem, and self-worth.
Our senior programs are aimed at supporting low-income seniors in Westchester County, so they have the opportunity to age safely and well in their homes or communities with dignity and give peace of mind to their family members and caregivers. Programs are offered at no charge or on an income-based sliding scale and extend beyond health and wellness for seniors to include support for their loved ones, including dementia support, end-of-life care, and bereavement services.
WJCS services for seniors and their families include:
Geriatric Care Management: WJCS offers comprehensive services, including in-home assessments, personalized care planning, ongoing case management, guidance about senior living options, referrals for home health care, and legal and financial advice. Our experienced staff members are adept at working with out-of-town families to oversee and coordinate long-distance care.
Isolation to Connection: Through this free program, caring professionals work with isolated seniors to assess their needs and connect them to an array of community-based services, including home-delivered meals, transportation, vaccine appointments, ongoing case-management programs, home-based medical services, telephone or in-person counseling, home care, and social programming.
Respite for Caregivers: Project Time-Out is our respite services program that gives caregivers the opportunity to attend to medical, social, recreational, or business matters while providing stimulating companionship, supervision, and socialization for their loved ones. Program coordinators offer free assessments of a family’s respite needs and referrals to home health care and legal and financial experts. Carefully screened, experienced, and trained consultants are matched with families to offer relief from caregiving responsibilities on a flexible basis. The cost for families requesting an in-home companion and who are caring for an older dependent adult is based on the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services EISEP sliding scale, determined by the income and expenses of the older adult or married couple. WJCS also offers caregivers of older adults an Escort Program that enables caregivers to enlist an escort to accompany their senior loved one to a doctor’s visit, shopping trip, errand, movie, or restaurant. The escort service itself is free. Users are responsible for arranging transportation and any costs associated with the outing.
Livable Community Connection Project: This program encourages people to work proactively at the grassroots level to create communities where older people can remain at home, stay healthy and connected to friends and family, and be actively engaged in their communities. Livable Community Connections services include health, wellness, educational, and cultural programs along with support services, such as accessible transportation, personal safety, and advocacy for affordable housing, safe sidewalks, and roads.
Northeast Yonkers NNORC (Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community): In partnership with the City of Yonkers Office for the Aging, WJCS provides a wide range of activities, services, and resources to seniors 60+ in Northeast Yonkers to help them maintain their quality of life and independence as they remain connected to their neighborhoods. With 17% of its population being age 65+, Yonkers is the oldest city in New York State. WJCS is employing a preventative, early intervention, cost-effective approach to deliver services to this type of densely populated naturally occurring senior community – a model that can be duplicated in similar communities.
Assistance to Individuals with Dementia and Their Caregivers: WJCS provides professional assistance to individuals and families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia (through the New York State Department of Health Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative). Our compassionate and specially trained staff offer care consultation and clinical assessments, individualized care planning, resource referrals, individual and group counseling, discussion and completion of advanced directives, as well as specialized home care and respite services.
Monthly Support Groups for Family Caregivers: Emotional and practical support, both individual and in groups, helps caregivers who are often overwhelmed with stress and added responsibilities navigate their challenges and feel less isolated and alone as seniors. Emotional support, care management guidance, and resources play an important role in helping caregivers deliver the best care for their loved ones and themselves.
Addressing the Challenges of Serious Illness: Our Pathways to Care program offers an array of services to people and their caregivers impacted by chronic or life-limiting illnesses at locations throughout Westchester County. Services include needs assessments; home, office, and hospital visits; supportive individual, family, and group counseling beginning on the day of diagnosis; referrals to resources; discussion and assistance completing advance directives; insurance, financial, and legal advocacy; assistance navigating complex medical systems; emotional support at the end of life; bereavement counseling for individuals, families, and groups; on-site grief counseling; and chronic illness support group.
Judy Fink, LCSW, is Director of Senior Services at Westchester Jewish Community Services. To learn more about WJCS’ programs & services for seniors and caregivers, go to www.wjcs.com.
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