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Senior Services
Jewish Senior Life reviews its accomplishments, challenges after its first five years.
Ronelle Grier I Contributing Writer
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Rochelle
Upfal
Carol
Rosenberg
Matthew
Lester
The leadership team includes Rochelle
Upfal, CEO; Carol Rosenberg, JSL
Foundation director; and Matthew
Lester, new board president, founder
and CEO of Bloomfield Hills-based
Princeton Enterprises, which manages
apartment buildings and real estate
developments across the country.
"Our board is stronger and better than
ever," said Lester, adding that the board
includes a variety of professionals in the
areas of real estate, finance, marketing
and geriatrics, among others. "We also
have two NextGen [younger generation
ages 25-40] liaisons:'
Changing Population
The most daunting challenge for JSL
is that the average age of its residents,
along with their needs, has increased
significantly in the last few decades.
According to the 2005 Detroit Jewish
Population Study, which was updated in
2010, the Detroit Jewish community has
the largest percentage of older adults
outside of Sunbelt retirement communi-
ties.
Data also showed that Metro Detroit,
among other cities in the study, has the
highest percentage (48 percent) of per-
sons age 75 and older who live alone.
Thiry-five years ago, the average age
of JSL tenants was 78; today it is 87.
At the Norma Jean and Edward Meer
Apartments in West Bloomfield, it is 89.
The good news is that people are living
longer, due in part to improved health
care and a greater variety of services
designed to allow seniors to age in place.
The challenge is continuing to meet the
needs of this aging population without
compromising standards or quality of
care.
"The age of our residents is our great-
est source of pride because our standard
of care is excellent; it's also our biggest
JSL launched Village in the Woods, an organization to help people age in place in the Huntington Woods area.
challenge because of the greater needs,"
Lester said.
According to Upfal, most people do
not make the move into senior hous-
ing until they are in their mid-80s. As
a result, there are more residents who
require walkers, wheelchairs and private
aides because of physical and mental
issues.
Rosenberg believes an older popula-
tion should not be off-putting to current
or potential residents.
"People [naturally] find their own
level of people they want to be with," she
said.
Accomplishments
One of the innovations Upfal is proudest
of is the "One Number" program, a joint
project of JSL, Jewish Family Service,
JVS and the Jewish Community Center,
with support from the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit.
Information about housing, pro-
grams, services, resources and all things
related to aging in Jewish Detroit can be
accessed from a single phone number:
(248) 661-1836.
Another notable accomplishment of
the last five years is the renovation of
the Anna & Meyer Prentis Apartments
in Oak Park. Financed by low-income
government tax credits, studio apart-
ments were converted into one-bedroom
units and the communal spaces, such as
the lobby, were completely redesigned.
The Harriett & Ben Teitel Apartments
in Oak Park also are undergoing renova-
tions that include more communal space
and a community garden. Low-income
tax credits are also being used to finance
these improvements, which include con-
verting bathtubs to showers and various
cosmetic updates.
Meer Apartments in West Bloomfield
soon will be getting a $1 million facelift
that includes a complete renovation of
the dining room, lobby and other com-
mon areas. This project will be funded
by refinancing the existing mortgage,
according to Lester.
New Dining Program
If Jews are passionate about anything,
it is their food, and providing kosher
meals that meet the nutritional needs
and gastronomical tastes of such a large
and discerning group has been an ongo-
ing challenge.
After decades of using a variety of
catering companies and food service
providers, JSL instituted a major change
last spring by taking over the operation of
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October 23 • 2014