20 | SEPTEMBER 19 • 2024 
J
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T

he often-heard saying — 
“Getting older is not for 
sissies” — may seem like 
a cliché but contains some truth. 
Aging is often accompanied by new 
physical and mental challenges, 
financial and legal issues, the loss 
of loved ones, and concerns about 
driving and housing safety. 
“Due to the aging of our 
community, crises are innumerable 
and are coming in a wave,” says Kari 
K. Provizer, LMSW, ACSW, who is 
director of the Robert Sosnick Family 
Center at Temple Israel. 
During the 29 years Provizer has 
held this position, she has helped 
many older adults and their family 
members cope with problems 
ranging from housing and food 
needs to abuse and legal issues.
Temple Israel’s Rabbi Jennifer 
T. Kaluzny, who has also worked 
extensively with seniors, points out 
that adult children may struggle to 
care for their aging parents and their 
own young children at the same 
time. Recognizing the growing need 
for help with aging, Rabbi Kaluzny 
and Provizer have planned a special 
program — “
Aging Is Inevitable” — 
to provide useful information and 
encourage families to plan ahead.
The program will be held from 
7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 
Temple Israel, and the community 
is invited. Experienced professionals 
will participate in a panel discussion 
on “planning for the unplanned.” 
The goal is providing information 
and empowerment to help attendees 
navigate the aging journey for 
themselves and family members.
“It’s never too early to start 

preparing. We want to empower 
them to prepare so there isn’t a 
crisis,” Provizer explains.
“People don’t want to have this 
conversation — there is denial. It’s 
not a comfortable conversation, but 
it has to be done. They need to know 
how to prioritize and what steps 
to take to age with dignity,” Rabbi 
Kaluzny adds.
“One of the best gifts you can 
give your own children is planning 
ahead,” she says. 

Panel members will include Alyssa 
J. Tobias, MSW, CDP and senior 
advocate; David B. Trivax, a lawyer 
with Serlin Trivax & Associates; 
Rabbi Kaluzny; and Kari Provizer. 
Audience members will be able to 
ask panel members questions and 
meet afterwards with additional 
experts in the field of aging who will 
attend the program. 

Temple Israel Panel will help 
families plan for aging. 

Navigating the 
Aging Journey

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY
SPOTLIGHT

Resources for Aging 
with Dignity 
“Aging Is Inevitable” will be 
presented from 7 -8:30 p.m. on 
Thursday, Sept. 26, at Temple 
Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, 
West Bloomfield. The program is 
free and open to the community, 
but registration is requested. Visit 
www.temple-israel.org/event/
aging. 
Temple Israel also offers 
caregiver support groups with 
the Jewish Family Service and 
a virtual support group for 
caregivers of individuals with 
dementia or Alzheimer’s in 
conjunction with the Alzheimer’s 
Association.

Alyssa 
Tobias

Rabbi 
Jennifer 
Kaluzny

Kari 
Provizer

David 
Trivax

JFS of Washtenaw 
County Receives 
Three-Year 
Accreditation for 
Outpatient Mental 
Health Services 

Jewish Family Services of 
Washtenaw County (JFS) 
was awarded a three-year 
accreditation from the 
Commission on Accreditation of 
Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) 
for its outpatient mental health 
services. This accreditation 
is a significant milestone that 
recognizes JFS’ commitment 
to providing high-quality 
mental health services to adults, 
adolescents and youth through 
its Thrive program. 
The CARF accreditation 
is a rigorous process that 
evaluates organizations against 
internationally recognized 
standards. It confirms that 
JFS’ mental health services 
meet high standards of care 
and demonstrate a continuous 
commitment to enhancing the 
lives of those it serves. 
JFS of Washtenaw County 
offers a comprehensive range of 
outpatient mental health services 
through its Thrive program, 
including individual and group 
therapy, crisis intervention, 
and specialized programs for 
adolescents and youth. Thrive 
is committed to ensuring that 
individuals receive the care 
and support they need to lead 
fulfilling lives, regardless of 
their ability to pay, through 
a sliding scale fee structure 
and acceptance of all major 
insurances. 
For more information about 
JFS of Washtenaw County’s 
Thrive program and its 
mental health services, visit 
thriveannarbor.org or contact 
(734) 769-0209. 
 

