INSIDER JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF METRO-DETROIT EXPANDING OUR SCOPE OF SERVICES A New Program at Jewish Family Service Jewish Family Service has establish- ed a new program called Senior Outreach Services (S.O.S.), which is designed to care for the elderly or disabled who are experiencing serious problems. The program also caters to the needs of relatives who cannot pro- vide the necessary care their relative needs. S.O.S. takes the burden off relatives by providing quality profes- sional services. Almost all initial S.O.S. requests for service come from a concerned relative, who may live in Metropolitan Detroit or out of town. Within 48 hours of a request for service from a relative or the client, a certified social worker completes a thorough assess- ment of the individual in need of ser- vice. A treatment plan is then developed and shared with the relative and the client. S.O.S. responds to all problems in a sensitive and caring manner to help maintain in- dependence, dignity and quality of life. There are times, when for example, the decision is made that living at home is no longer the best option, and S.O.S. helps the family explore all the alternatives and ease the transition. This is an example of a typical case that came to the attention of S.O.S. staff a few months ago. Mrs. Cohen', residing in Boston, called very con- cerned about her 78 year-old father, Mr. H. Brill*. Mr. Brill has been living alone in his apartment in Southfield since his wife passed away two years ago. Mrs. Cohen had noticed that in the past couple of weeks, her father has seemed more forgetful. A neighbor called to say that he was concerned by Mr. Brill's having become disoriented and lost on several occasions. A geriatric social worker went to visit Mr. Brill and conducted a thorough psycho-social evaluation, including telephone contacts with his physician. It became clear that Mr. Brill was suf- fering from depression and as a result, had become isolated, was not taking his medication properly and was not eating a balanced diet. In consultation with Mrs. Cohen, the geriatric social worker established a comprehensive treatment plan for Mr. Brill. An agreement was signed between S.O.S. and Mrs. Cohen pro- viding details of the treatment plan and outlining the service costs for which Mrs. Cohen agreed to be responsible. Mr. Brill would be assign- ed a geriatric social worker who would act as the "case manager", visit with him on a regular basis and be respon- sible for ensuring that all the elements I) of his treatment plan are carefully monitored. The plan included a homemaker from Jewish Family Ser- vice, to assist with housekeeping and grooming, a medication reminder box to make it easier for Mr. Brill to take his medications appropriately, kosher Meals-On-Wheels to ensure proper nutrition and counseling to treat depression. The worker would keep in ongoing contact with Mrs. Cohen. Most S.O.S. services are provided to people living in their own homes, but monitoring and advocacy services are also provided to relatives who live in nursing homes or institutions. Counseling is available at all times for both the client and family members. The initial consultation is free of President's Message President's Message by John E. Jacobs Jewish Family Service President by Marcy Feldman Resettlement Service President During my term as President of Jewish Family Service, I have strong- ly encouraged the agency to be in- volved in joint ventures with other organizations. It is through such part- nerships that the agency is able to make the most significant impact on a wide variety of needs in our community. Plans for a shelter for battered women are being developed for the Family Abuse-Prevention Program, in conjunction with the National Council of Jewish Women - Detroit Section. Members of our Clinical Services Committee, volunteers and staff visited a similar program in Toronto upon which, our program will be based. Despite all the changes in the former Soviet Union many Jews are still choosing to leave. We expect to have resettled over 800 people in the Detroit area this year. In the last two and a half years Resettlement Service has resettled more than 1,800 new Americans in our community. With only seven caseworkers on our staff, each carrying a caseload of fifty or more, this has not been an easy task. Our Resettlement Service caseworkers are hard-working, dedicated, caring people who were themselves resettled in the last big wave of immigration. They meet newcomers at the airport, rent and fur- nish an apartment with basic furniture and household items, buy the food for the refrigerator and begin the ac- culturation process, orienting them to the Jewish community and to the necessities of life in modern western society. They learn about health, hygiene, money management and language acquisition. The caseworkers After the agency received an endow- _ ment from Jerry and Eileen Bielfield, a Jewish Hospice Task Force was established, chaired by board member David Techner. We are working with the Hospice of Southeastern Michigan to develop a Jewish component to the hospice program, to enable patients and their families to more fully use the excellent range of services offered. continued on back page The Officers and the Board of Directors of Resettlement Service cordially invite Resettlement Volunteers to THE VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EVENING Monday, March 30, 1992 • 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. CONGREGATION BETH ABRAHAM HILLEL MOSES 5075 WEST MAPLE ROAD • WEST BLOOMFIELD Al/ volunteers• will be recognized and be presented with a cenVicate 01'am-eclat/on. Featuring a mucked peijinmance by New American.s. and Des..sert Reception Please R.S.V.P. by .March 2.5, 1992 at 5,59-4,566 charge, but a fee is charged for on- going service. Call our S.O.S. staff about any issues or concerns related to the elderly and the aging process or a family member with a disability or mental illness. We will be happy to help you develop a treatment plan for your relative or to speak to your organization about our services. For additional information about this new Jewish Family Service Pro- gram, or to discuss concerns about a relative or friend, please call Senior Outreach Services (S.O.S.) Supervisor, Judy Kotzen, M.S.W. at 559-1500. ■ *Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of clients. arrange for a medical screening at Sinai hospital, refer them to Jewish Vocational Service for job placement and help them to deal with the government bureaucracy. It is not easy to help people learn everything there is to know about living in America or about life in the Jewish community. Who can make this task easier OUR VOLUNTEERS! We are blessed in this community with many people who give their time and support in so many ways. We needed a warehouse to store furniture and a truck. Three people answered our call. We needed money to quickly buy plane tickets to bring from Minsk the parents and sister of a young woman dying of cancer. Other — continued on back page