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It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgement; and in these qualities old age is usually not only not poorer, but is even richer.

—Cicero, 106-43 B.C.

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Aging in Place: a little help can go a long way

VERONA, N.J. (AP) – Retirement communities may have their perks, but Beryl O'Connor says it would be tough to match the birthday surprise she got in her own backyard when she turned 80 this year.

The 80-year-old Beryl is among a group of seniors who are embracing the concept of "aging in place" maximizing the prospects for growing old in one's own longtime home rather than move to a retirement community. more

Source: USA Today

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from the New Jersey Jewish News

Nurturing body, mind, spirit without leaving home

As winter weather approaches and days grow shorter, many people find themselves at home more. This can be especially true for older adults. However, winter doesn’t have to be a time of hibernation or isolation — rather, it can be a time to renew and recharge. In terms of body, mind, and spirit, winter offers opportunities to expand one’s possibilities by taking advantage of things that come to you, rather than you going to them! more

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from the New Jersey Jewish News

Seven secrets for banishing the winter blues

Our families, friends, and the media all tell us we should be happy and enjoying ourselves, all the time. But for many people, the winter months can cause undue stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. Some older adults are able to travel to a warmer climate to avoid the cold and winter demands. For many older adults, however, that sort of escape is not possible. For older adults who will be staying closer to home in MetroWest, here are a few suggestions to help make this winter better. more

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from the New Jersey Jewish News

Remembering our elders, reflecting on our lives

a different kind of passover I have never missed sitting next to my grandmother and holding her hand as we listen to the shofar. I am not sure that she can go to hear the shofar any more.” “My father always made sure that he sent me a honey cake on the week before Rosh Hashana. He would say, ‘Have a sweet year, Honey!’ Now I cannot hear him speak; he is too weak.” more

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Verona LIVE Caregiver's Program a Hit
Exhibits and presentations provide vital resources

Benefits and support information are a phone call away It was standing room only at the Verona Community Center [May 9]. Verona LIVE (Lifelong Involvement for Vital Elders) presented “Sandwiches for the Sandwich Generation,” a program for caregivers and seniors interested in learning about support services in the area. read more

—Verona-Cedar Grove Patch, May 17, 2011

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Families and caregivers needing answers to broader eldercare questions and help with community resources can contact Elderlink – a portal to all MetroWest services for older adults and their families. Elderlink can be reached at (973) 765-9050 or via email at elderlink@jfsmetrowest.org. Visit the elderlink website at www.elderlinkmetrowest.org.

Elderlink has received generous funding from United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ and Jewish Family Service and was established with initial funding from The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey.

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LIVE helps seniors age in place

Since September 2004, Parsippany residents have directly benefitted from a United Jewish Communities (UJC) of MetroWest NJ-initiated program involving hundreds of households with older adults. Parsippany LIVE (Lifelong Involvement for Vital Elders) was started with a one-year federal grant from the Administration on Aging in 2004, to develop a program that would help older adults “Age in Place” within Parsippany. In 2008, the program was launched in Caldwell as Caldwell LIVE. In January 2011, the third LIVE Community began providing services in Verona.

• What is Caldwell LIVE?
• Learn about Caldwell LIVE services (PDF)
• Caldwell LIVE Directory of Senior Services (PDF)
• Caldwell LIVE Transportation Guide (PDF)

• Learn more about Parsippany LIVE
• Learn more about Verona LIVE

MetroWest CARES Partner Agencies

Daughters of Israel (DOI)
Providing a continuum of health related and social services to the Jewish elderly and disabled regardless of their ability to pay

JCC MetroWest (JCC)
The premier Jewish social, recreational, cultural, and educational centers that serve the MetroWest Jewish community

Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest NJ (JCF)
The source for planned giving and endowment opportunities in the MetroWest Jewish community

Jewish Community Housing Corporation (JCHC)
Active living for Jewish seniors

Jewish Family Service of MetroWest (JFS)
Providing comprehensive social and related services to Jewish people and others in the MetroWest area which contribute to harmonious family and personal lifestyles

Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest (JVS)
A comprehensive vocational, educational and technical training agency, providing a range of services on a nonsectarian basis

Joint Chaplaincy Committee of MetroWest
Visits by chaplains to Jewish individuals, offering them and their families pastoral and spiritual care and guidance

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Metro Transport helps older adults in community

Metro Transport provides transportation to elderly and disabled clients for both medical and social purposes regardless of their ability to pay. The project – a community-wide, collaborative effort between five Jewish community agencies – began in response to the realization that lack of access to appropriate, affordable transportation is one of the most serious issues facing seniors. more

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New Jersey, and Caldwell in particular, enjoy the benefits of an excellent public transportation system. Caldwell LIVE has developed Your Guide to Public Transportation to help Caldwell’s senior citizens understand and utilize our transportation resources.

Using public transportation is a safe and economical way to visit family and friends and to travel to stores, restaurants, doctors’ offices and many other destinations. Riding on the bus can be much easier than fighting traffic and searching for a parking space.

download the Caldwell LIVE Guide to Public Transportation (PDF)

Financial support for Caldwell LIVE has been provided by the US Administration on Aging, the United Jewish Appeal and the Partners for Health Foundation.

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Caregivers Coalition Family, friends, and neighbors act as caregivers for the elderly throughout our communities. Often they work alone and are the only support mechanism available for those most in need. Many do this in addition to multiple other responsibilities — job, family, home, children. Caregivers may provide care full-time, part-time, or long distance.

United Way Caregivers Coalition recently launched in North Essex to provide support to senior caregivers in the communities of Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Monclair, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, and West Caldwell.

download flyer

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Upcoming Events

Walking Club

Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m.
Congregation Agudath Israel
20 Academy Road, Caldwell
For more info, call (973) 403-0972.
download flyer

Verona Live Walking Club

Thursdays, 10-11 a.m.
Verona Community Center
880 Bloomfield Ave., Verona
RSVP required
For more info, call (973) 276-3001.
download flyer

Tea and Talk: Coming Into Your Own

Tuesdays, May 22 and June 5 • 10:30 a..m.
Verona Community Center
880 Bloomfield Ave., Verona
RSVP required
For more info, call (973) 830-0096.
download flyer

Local Motion: Exploring Transporation Options In and Around Verona

May 31, 2012 • 1-2 p.m.
Our Lady of the Lake
32 Lakeside Avenue, Verona

Open to the Community
RSVP encouraged. Call (973) 830-0096

download flyer

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Telephone support groups and workshops — January through June 2012

ABOUT CAREGIVERS’ CONNECTIONS:

A regular phone is all that is needed.
Each session is 50 minutes long.
There is a $10.00 registration fee; tuition fees are $15.00 for each multiple- session program; and $5.00 for each single-session program unless otherwise noted.
Scholarships are available.
Registration is available by phone or online at www.dorotusa.org.

download flyer

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MetroWest CARES (Committee Addressing Resources for Eldercare Services) is a collaborative effort of United Jewish Communities (UJC) of MetroWest NJ and its agencies to create a continuum of care for the elderly; a comprehensive, consumer-oriented network of services, including physical and mental health care, spiritual health and well being, social and vocational services, advocacy, transportation, and housing.

download the MetroWest CARES brochure (PDF)

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Resources

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Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at www.njdrugprices.nj.gov or call 1-800-242-5846.

You can also contact AARP at
www.aarp.org/nj or call 1-866-542-8165.

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MetroWest CARES: Eldercare In the News

NJN TV
NJN TV featured Parsippany LIVE during their December 26, 2008 newscast. The Jewish Vocational Service one of the Parsippany LIVE Partner agencies, provides support services and counseling for the unemployed and underemployed. NJN TV featured JVS during their December 26, 2008 newscast. View the video here.

New Jersey Jewish News
Since 2008, MetroWest CARES agencies have worked together to publish a monthly eldercare column in the New Jersey Jewish News. The columns discuss issues of aging and caregiving, and highlight the services and programs available to older adults and their families in MetroWest. Find these and other articles in the Eldercare News Archive