New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies

Services and their Value to Be Highlighted at Local Event on January 13, 2014

To live a high quality life, many aspects of life must be consistently addressed: not only physical and behavioral health, but also the need for social connections, positive family and other relationships, recreation and other stimulating activities. The Jewish Family Service (JFS) agencies throughout the state offer a range of services to meet these needs. To build awareness of these services and how they enhance quality of life for the elderly, the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) and the New Jersey Association of Jewish Family Service Agencies will host Striving to Ensure the Golden Years Are Indeed Golden: How Jewish Family Services Organizations Support New Jersey's Elderly in their Communities, on January 13, 2014, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Congregation Beth Chaim, 329 Village Road East, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550. There is no charge to attend this event.

"Thanks to Jewish Family Services agencies, for many, the golden years can be more golden. These providers offer a wealth of services, including Meals on Wheels, assistance in the elderly individuals' homes, transportation, educational and social activities and physical and mental healthcare services. With Baby Boomers now entering late middle age, these types of services are going to be more important than ever," said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of NJAMHAA, a trade association that includes the state's 12 Jewish Family Services agencies as members, along with 170 other organizations that provide mental healthcare and substance use treatment services.

"Our goal is to keep older adults safe, stable, healthy and happy in their homes with dignity for as long as possible. We call this aging in place. We literally save lives," said Reuben Rotman, MA, Executive Director, JFS of MetroWest. "We facilitate the transition to other living environments that become necessary because of aging, psychiatric history, the economy or other dynamics. Our agencies are extended families for many older adults."

"Most of all, providers give people hope. As they look forward to aging, they look forward to life, rather than dwelling on the inevitable end of life," Dr. Wentz added.

Program Features State and National Experts

Following opening remarks from Dr. Wentz, additional insights will be shared by Lowell Arye, Deputy Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Human Services, and Lee I. Sherman, President & CEO, Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies, will present on Emerging Trends in Serving Older Adults.

Then, Grace Egan, Executive Director, New Jersey Foundation for Aging, will deliver the keynote presentation, A Profile on Elder Economics in the Garden State. "Clearly 25 percent of New Jersey's elders are living below or on the edge of poverty. It is essential to connect seniors to community programs that can help them to close the widening gap between their income and the expenses," Egan said.

Following Egan's presentation, a panel discussion, Insights from Clients and Providers about the Value of Services and the Need for More Resources, will take place with Reuben Rotman, Executive Director, Jewish Family Services of MetroWest; Marilyn Askin, Chief Legislative Advocate, AARP; Linda Meisel, LCSW, Executive Director, Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Mercer County and a client from her agency.

"We hope state legislators, policymakers and their staff; social service and behavioral healthcare providers; and individuals who are caring for elderly loved ones will join us to discover how meeting seniors' physical, social and emotional needs enhances their ability to remain in the community and improves their quality of life," Dr. Wentz said.

Click here to register.