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10/18/2018 11 Comments

Care Managers Can Help Manage the Elder-Care Maze

     ​An older resident is ailing and can no longer shower or cook a meal without help. An exhausted caregiver is reaching the breaking point, but there’s little money to pay for outside help.
​      In each scenario, the need for elder care assistance is getting desperate – but the task of trying to find it can feel 

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like another added burden in what are already unmanageable days.
      If only someone could explain the different options, give advice on how to pay for them and steer older adults or their caregivers through the long and confusing applications for government assistance.
     Many may not know it, but there are guides to help people through the acronym-filled maze of elder care programs in New Jersey. They are called geriatric care managers.
     The Bergen County Division of Senior Services contracts with several non-profit agencies to provide care management services to low- and moderate-income seniors. One of those agencies - Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey – has offices right here in Teaneck, and its non-sectarian services are available to anyone referred by the county.
     “People in situations like this are often living in the moment and feel like they only have time to manage what’s in front of them,” said Patricia Stoll, Director of Senior Services for JFCSNNJ. “They don’t know what options are out there or where to even start looking.”
     
Care managers can more than just explain the options. They can help determine how much and what type of help an aging resident needs and qualifies for.
     If an older adult, for example, is deemed eligible for long-term-care services under Medicaid, then a care manager might spend as many as 20 hours over a period of months to help a client assemble the needed documents and complete the lengthy application. 
     “It’s complicated to try to apply for some programs on your own, and it can be very intimidating,” Stoll said. “But our care managers are familiar with the requirements and can help someone avoid a situation where their application is rejected because information is missing or a step wasn’t followed.”
     Not every client referred for care management services is deemed eligible for long-term-care or government assistance in paying for it. In those instances, however, care managers can usually advise on a host of other local or faith-based programs that offer such things as chore services, companionship visits or home-delivered meals. They can also advise a senior struggling to make ends meet on how to apply for food stamps or for assistance in paying their utility bills or prescription drug co-pays.
     “If we can’t help them, then we always give them referrals to organizations that can,” Stoll said.
​
Where to Find a Care Manager: Call Bergen County Senior Help Line for a referral: 201-336-7400
Or contact these agencies, which serve people of all faiths and backgrounds, directly:
  • Bergen Family Center, Englewood, 201-568-0817, bergenfamilycenter.org
  • Catholic Charities - Older Adult Services, Hackensack, 201-441-9421, www.ccannj.org
  • Friends of Grace Seniors, Tenafly, 201-541-1200, www.kccus.org
  • Jewish Family & Children Services of Northern NJ, Teaneck 201-837-9090, www.jfcsnnj.org



11 Comments
Nellie D Lightle link
1/3/2022 03:57:45 am

I really like your article and the info such blessing info.

Reply
Marie Johnson link
3/3/2022 04:01:14 pm

They can help determine how much and what type of help an aging resident needs and qualifies for. Thank you for sharing your great post!

Reply
Patricia Huggins link
3/11/2022 03:12:00 pm

It’s complicated to try to apply for some programs on your own, and it can be very intimidating, Thank you for making this such an awesome post!

Reply
Joseph Shelton link
3/14/2022 04:28:42 pm

Those instances, however, care managers can usually advise on a host of other local or faith-based programs that offer such things as chore services, Thank you for the beautiful post!

Reply
Leonard Lynch link
3/14/2022 06:32:52 pm

Has offices right here in Teaneck, and its non-sectarian services are available to anyone referred by the county. Thank you, amazing post!

Reply
Kevin Treadwell link
4/27/2022 04:14:46 pm

Give advice on how to pay for them and steer older adults or their caregivers through the long and confusing applications for government assistance. I’m so thankful for your helpful post!

Reply
Arthur Marshall link
4/28/2022 05:44:34 pm

In those instances, however, care managers can usually advise on a host of other local or faith-based programs that offer such things as chore services, Thank you for sharing your great post!

Reply
William Munroe link
4/29/2022 04:28:12 pm

The long and confusing applications for government assistance. Many may not know it, Thank you, amazing post!

Reply
Lance Aldridge link
4/29/2022 05:54:29 pm

The Bergen County Division of Senior Services contracts with several non-profit agencies to provide care management, I truly appreciate your great post!

Reply
Certified Seniors Senior Care link
10/31/2022 05:14:07 am

Home care providers play a vital role in helping seniors maintain their independence and quality of life. They provide essential services that allow seniors to age in place safely and comfortably. In addition, home care providers can offer much-needed companionship and support to isolated seniors.

Reply
helping hands caregivers link
1/12/2023 03:25:25 am

Great post, We’re here to help with the everyday needs of the elderly community to give you peace of mind that your loved ones are being taken care of. For many years, Polish Helping Hands has provided personal care, overnight stays, and even housekeeping services.

Reply



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    ​     Age-Friendly Teaneck formed in 2016 with this mission in mind: A great place to grow up should be a great place to grow old.
         Our network of supporters includes some of Teaneck’s most-active government, business and civic leaders. 
         The project is directed by Elizabeth Davis, a licensed clinical social worker who founded Geriatric Services, Inc., a non-profit with oversight over two of Teaneck’s affordable living options for seniors -  Bright Side Manor assisted living residence and the Brookdale, a 64-unit affordable senior housing building.
         Project Coordinator Jacqueline Kates is a former mayor and township council member who recently retired as community relations coordinator at Holy Name Medical Center. 
        A diverse group of township leaders and residents sit on our steering committee and five task forces, together working toward the common goal of better serving the needs of township residents of all ages. 

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