ElderLink

What is ElderLink?

In lieu of a dedicated Jewish assisted living and nursing facility, the JFS ElderLink program offers Jewish training, education, and programming to local care facilities with Jewish residents as well as to home care agencies that serve Jewish clients. ElderLink offers each facility the tools and ability to meet the needs of their Jewish clients, in an effort to ensure a higher level of Jewish cultural, religious, and social life.

When a facility for older adults or home care agency chooses to join the JFS ElderLink Network, they are choosing to ensure high-quality services for Jewish seniors.

For Jewish older adults, ElderLink is…

…a connection to your heritage

…a link to the Jewish community

…an assurance that your residence can feel like home.

What do ElderLink Network Member facilities provide to their Jewish residents?

Jewish residents/clients of ElderLink Network Members receive culturally competent care from their caregivers. They do not need to repeatedly explain their cultural heritage, the holidays they celebrate, or the Jewish symbols they may have in their living space (e.g., a mezuzah on the doorway, or a cherished tallis that belonged to a grandparent). Jewish residents of ElderLink Network facilities are able to comfortably express their Judaism in whatever manner they are accustomed, and receive staff assistance in doing so when needed – be it lighting Shabbat candles and saying the kiddush, gathering with other Jews for holiday meals, or simply enjoying a good bowl of matzah ball soup.

What does JFS provide to ElderLink Network Members?

JFS provides to the ElderLink Network Members training for all staff members in:

• Jewish culture and history
• Jewish holidays and celebrations
• The wide range of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices among Jews
• The local Jewish community and its resources
• Kosher and Kosher-style dining options
• Issues specific to Jewish older adults
• Materials for holiday celebrations, including Judaica items and music
• Help with access to Kosher meals, Jewish hospice, and other services not readily available in Ann Arbor
• Transportation for residents to attend Jewish programs and religious services around town
• An e-newsletter listing upcoming Jewish cultural, social, educational, and religious activities and events, as well as information and suggestions for upcoming holidays
• Assistance with Jewish holiday and social programming at the facility
• Greater collaboration with JFS social workers to meet the unique needs of individual residents
• Connection to other Jewish agencies and congregations
• Opportunities to network and conduct business with other Network Members
• Referrals, visibility, and additional publicity within the Jewish community

How can I make sure that my loved one is in an ElderLink facility?

If your loved one is not yet living in a residential facility, contact a social worker at JFS. We provide referrals to our ElderLink Network facilities with the confidence that they can create a welcome home for a Jewish elder.

Which facilities are members of ElderLink?

We are happy to be working closely with the following independent and assisted living facilities and home care agencies to ensure a high-quality experience for Jewish residents. Please follow the links to their websites.

Residential Facilities

Clare Bridge of Ann Arbor

750 West Eisenhower Parkway

Ann Arbor, MI 48103

734-213-1708

Sunrise Assisted Living at North Ann Arbor
1901 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone:  734-741-1124
Website: www.sunriseseniorliving.com/communities/sunrise-at-north-ann-arbor/Overview.aspx

University Living
2865 South Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone:  734-669-3030
Website: http://www.univliving.com/

Sanctuary at St. Joseph Village
(formerly The Village at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital)
5341 McAuley Drive
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone:  734-712-1600
Website: www.villagestjoe.org

Hospice

Arbor Hospice
2366 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
Phone:  734-662-5068
Website:  www.arborhospice.org

Home Care Agencies

BrightStar Healthcare

Phone:  734-302-4215

Website:  www.BrightStarHealthcare.com

Comfort Keepers

Phone: 1-800-248-0600

Website:  www.comfortkeepers.com

Homewatch Caregivers

Phone: 734-622-8190

Website: www.homewatchcaregivers.com/annarbor

Serenity Home Health Inc.

Phone: 734-677-0766

How can I find out more about the ElderLink program?

Please call us on (734) 769-0209 and ask for Lisa Franklin, or email Lisa directly at lfranklin@jfsannarbor.org.