Village by the Shore Winter 2018
Village to Village Network Helping Adults Age in Place
D
id you know that JFS Village by the Shore (VBTS) is part of a larger network? The Village to Village Network is a national organization of community-based Villages throughout the United States dedicated to changing the paradigm of aging in America. The Village Movement has successfully established a model that enables older adults to age in place inside their homes while remaining active and connected within their communities. Villages improve quality of life, provide alternatives in transportation and support services, and tackle isolation among the aging populations. JFS VBTS is one of more than 250 villages operating across the United States and 150 more are in development. Today, more than 60,000 people are a part of the Village Movement.
“ I am excited to be a member of Village by the Shore. It is important to me to connect the national organization to individual communities. Together we can help maximize the growth, impact and sustainability of individual Villages and the Village Movement.� – Barbara Sullivan JFS Village by the Shore member and Village to Village Network Director
One of those is JFS Village by the Shore member Barbara Sullivan, who is also the Director of the national Village to Village Network. Barbara
2 3
I I
recently moved to Atlantic County and has already participated in a variety of Village by the Shore social programs. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience that we will all benefit from.
R
P rogram Spotlight:
4
Village events
5
Volunteer Spotlight
6
I I I
Boomer Spotlight
Villages are founded on the concept of neighbors helping neighbors. VBTS embraces this idea with a variety of member services such as complimentary trash valet, meal delivery, social activities, discounts from select service providers, and more. These offerings continue to improve quality of life and expand choices for boomers. Village members also experience increased independence which helps tackle the harmful effects caused by loneliness. When people participate in their local village, either as a member, volunteer, or service partner, they join a movement committed to making a positive impact on the lives of others. The Village movement is an important part of the new revolution in aging!
7
I
Connections
Special Events Healthy Living
C ommunity
8
I
Member Spotlight
Program Spotlight
Strength in Community
jfsatlantic.org
Village Social Events
I
t may be cold outside, but JFS Village programs are heating up! If you’re looking for fun, creative outlets to keep the winter blues at bay, Village by the Shore has excellent upcoming events. Thanks to a Jewish Federation IMPACTgrant, JFS Village will host six specialty programs in addition to their monthly programs like Coffee Klatch, Needlework and Lunch Around Town. These events promote community engagement and socialization for adults 50+ years, which has proven to reduce isolation, depression, stress, and mental and physical decline.
channeled their inner Picasso at the Village Painting Party. Local artist Vonnie Clark guided participants through the process of painting their own canvases, with some opting to gift their creations to loved ones this holiday season.
In November, members and guests were taught the basics of flower arranging from Rutgers Master Gardners in a fun, supportive environment. The program culminated in the creation of beautiful holiday centerpieces that participants got to take home.
A Mosaic Party will be held in January where friends and neighbors can enjoy an evening of pottery and mosaic art with Meredith P. Additional specialty programs will include a Spring gardening workshop and a wine tasting party to celebrate Passover and Easter in April. All programs are free for Village members and $5 for non-members. Contact Tina Serota for more details at tserota@jfsatlantic.org or 609-822-1109.
For December, attendees
For advertising inquiries: email Lauren Shover at staff@boomersplusmag.com or call 856.297.5946
BOOME SOUTH
BUS
INE
JERSE
SS & LIFE
Y REG
STY
IONS
• SPR ING
2018
COM PL
RS
LE A T TH E JE RSE
IMEN
TARY
Y SH O
www.boomersplusmag.com
Follow Us!
THE T BAY EAM A T S CRE IDE DEN ATE S BE TISTRY SMI L A LIFE ES TO L UTIFUL AST TIM See p E! A ag , 18 &
Photo
by Trac
19
y Harm
an Ph
otogra phy
R
UST OME
TAL C
2
POS
es 17
STA THE R The in COMM S OF resha dividuals UNITY ping who a the c nd impac are omm unity ting little Page by little. s 28 & 29
Plus
The mission of Boomers Plus is to provide interesting and entertaining articles to connect businesses to their target market for individuals ages 50 and older in Atlantic, Cape May, and Ocean Counties. We strive to offer businesses the opportunity to engage with this ever-enlarging group of consumers who have tremendous purchasing power.
RE
Volunteer Spotlight
Strength in Community
jfsatlantic.org
Fran Baronowitz
A
s the second generation of a Holocaust Survivor family, Fran Baronowitz grew up practicing Tikkun Olam, (healing the world) so it was only natural for her to continue to seek ways to help her friends, neighbors and community. Fran remembers her father helping neighbors with grocery shopping, and she continues the tradition by watering neighbors’ plants, taking in their mail and caring for aging family members. Back when the JFS building housed the Hebrew Academy, Fran spent hours volunteering as president of the Parents’ Association, working in the school office and helping to run BINGO. Fran became an RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) volunteer at JFS in 2016 when she agreed to facilitate Needlework With Friends, a Village sponsored program. Every Thursday, Fran would lead a group as they knitted, crocheted, quilted, and shared their lives with each other, quickly becoming friends. They knitted hats for the Israeli army, lap blankets for AtlantiCare Hospice, and innumerable scarves and sweaters for family and friends. Fran was among the first volunteers to start weekly phone check-ins to Village members and has made many wonderful “phone friends” as she brightens the lives of local seniors. Fran helps at Holocaust Survivor luncheons, with Village mailings, and pitching in at the food pantry. Recently, Fran got involved with the New Jersey Organizing Project. She is putting in many volunteer hours working to get dollars from hurricane Sandy forgiven, fighting fraudulent contractors and assisting with keeping Medicare and Medicaid functioning at the Affordable Care Act levels in NJ. Fran’s involvement has gone from an initial meeting at a local diner to meetings at the State House. She was a speaker at the organization's recent convention and is a sought after expert. Local meetings are held at the Ventnor Library for those having residual issues from Superstorm Sandy. JFS Volunteers are the backbone for so much of what JFS accomplishes in our community. They give freely of themselves, but as Fran says “in helping others I am helping myself”. Studies show that volunteers have greater physical and mental functionality, and less depression because of the social interactions and a sense of purpose. Fran says, “I love being with people, talking with them and helping. It makes me feel good. It keeps me up and positive, which is the most important thing. I hope to pass this family tradition on to my grandchildren.”
Tel 609-380-4302 Fax 609-380-4305 Email: Journeyhospice@aol.com Journey Hospice provides the right care, at the right time. Individuals and their families facing a life-limiting illness struggle to make the important decisions that affect their quantity and quality of life…let us help you.
6712 Washington Avenue, Suite 201, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 – journeyhospicenj.com
BAYADA Because it Matters. Since 1975, families have trusted BAYADA Home Health Care to provide the highest quality home health care for their loved ones. Our comprehensive services for clients from birth through seniors include: • High-tech nursing care • Nursing visits and for children rehabilitation • Assistive (personal) care • Hospice care Choose BAYADA…because it matters. Call 609-272-1200.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program
Serving all of South Jersey.
RSVP is one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation for people 55 and over. Funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, JFS works with community agencies to match volunteers with opportunities such as Gilda’s Club, JFS food pantry, Family Promise, Reading Buddies and more. To get involved as an RSVP Volunteer, contact Valerie Hopkins at 609-822-1108 or vhopkins@jfsatlantic.org.
bayada.com
3
Boomer Spotlight
Strength in Community
jfsatlantic.org
A New Approach to Aging
L
ife is a series of ages and stages; the only constant being change. Artful aging is about how we embrace the cycle of change at every age and stage of life. So how are the Boomers handling the 65 and beyond years?
cials with live dance bands, flower arranging, painting and gardening classes, creative writing, soap making, memory cafes, tai chi and so much more! Aging should not make one a “burden” but rather role models for future generations of living every day to its fullest in the best possible way. Members can also become volunteers. Socialization (the number one factor that supports healthy aging) and providing purpose are built into volunteering. While helping others volunteers are actually helping themselves. Village volunteers facilitate classes, help with many of the member services listed above, support JFS fundraisers, work in the food pantry & diaper pantry, and are often the eyes and ears for Village staff. JFS Retired Senior Volunteer Corp (RSVP) volunteers also are dispersed around the larger community to places like Gilda’s Club and Reading Buddies, and are soon to be working with the local homeless population. This helps adults remain connected through involvement with social activism and organizational work while sharing their knowledge and care with the community. VBTS also vets neighborhood businesses and agencies that offer a variety of reliable, trustworthy and quality services to Village members not provided by Village staff and volunteers. Elder legal services, HVAC services, contractors, pet care, pharmacy, homecare, senior design, and hospice are just a few of the services offered. These “Service Partners” often offer discounts to village members. As Boomers contemplate their future, they look within to determine how best to incoroporate their values and meaning into their everyday lives. As they accept and grow with life’s physical, mental and emotional changes, they are embracing new relationships, second careers and volunteerism, while pursuing hobbies, social activism and travel, all with a balance of lessons learned and hope for the future. If you’d like to get more involved with the community through JFS Village, call Tina Serota at 609-822-1109.
Boomers are the largest generation to become elders. They are also the first generation to have a much longer time between their “older” and “oldest” years. Many can now reasonably contemplate living into their 90’s and even 100’s. With increasing life spans, boomers needed to reframe their older years as a time of new opportunities and growth. Many Boomers are asking themselves, “What do I want to do with the rest of my life? At the same time, communities around the country needed a cost effective way of assisting seniors with aging in place while remaining vital parts of their neighborhood. As Boomers were seeking community, new relationships, and socialization, fresh ideas took hold and produced the Village concept. More than 250 community villages have answered the call. Many Villages began organically with neighbors banding together to support each other, while others were structured and put in place by existing agencies. Villages allow members to maintain their feelings of independence by having a say in the types of services provided and when and how they are provided. This gives a sense of autonomy and control over their own lives. Through the concept of “neighbor helping neighbor” JFS Village by the Shore (VBTS) replaces dependence with interdependence. For an introductory price of $180 annually or $18 a month for 12 months, members have access to door to door transportation, trash valet, tech support, meal delivery, in home grocery shopping, weekly phone check-ins & friendly visits, care coordination and access to a vetted partner network of local businesses, restaurants & agencies. VBTS also provides many social and educational programs and events like Coffee Klatch (current events beyond the headlines), Lunch Around Town, Village So-
Home and Healthy Keeping your house your home
We would love to earn your trust ! Grab Rails
Home Repairs
Call us today !
Painting
GERIATRIC HOUSE CALLS
House Watching
(609) 334-8933
Call 609.464.4981 to speak with an Account Manager in your area.
www.home and healty.net
4
Special Events
Strength in Community
jfsatlantic.org
WA
The JFS House Tour, held on August 6, gave hundreds of guests a rare opportunity to see inside seven breathtaking and uniquely structured Downbeach homes while supporting a great cause. The event raised $45,000 to benefit Village by the Shore.
OG
31st Annual JFS House Tour
LK •
R
R
D
Professional & Skilled Dog Walking with Care
U
N
• F UN
R FO
YO
U
$15 per walk*
609-822-6817 PAWS@jfsatlantic.org • jfsatlantic.org *Cost is based on 30 minute interaction with one dog.
JFS is an affiliate agency of the Jewish Federation of Atlantic & Cape May Counties and a partner agency with United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey in Atlantic County.
5th Annual JFS Card Party The JFS Card Party held on August 30th at Harbor Pines Golf Club raised $10,000 for Village by the Shore. More than 100 attendees gathered for an afternoon of Canasta and Mah Jong, and enjoyed vendors, food and prizes.
Light Housekeeping Bathing Assistance Everyday Health Reminders Transportation/Errands
Post Surgery/Rehab Care Ambulation Assistance Meal Preparation Laundry
Bonded & Insured Caregivers Available 24 Hours-a-Day Hospital Discharge Assistance/Transportation
Customized Schedules Three lines of text to describe the cities, counties or areas you serve
Coffee Klatch Join together for news beyond the headlines at the monthly JFS Coffee Klatch at Katz JCC. Enjoy refreshments while talking with friends about politics, technology, world events, the arts, religion and more. FREE to Village/JCC Members; $4 for non-members. For a complete listing of monthly special events and happenings, please contact Tina Serota at 609-822-1109.
609.788.8236 www.rahnjshore.com
5
Healthy Living
Strength in Community
jfsatlantic.org
Healthy Snacks that Fill You Up
E
ating well is a vital part of ensuring adults remain healthy as they age. Snacks high in carbohydrates can lead to blood sugar spikes and often leave you craving more. If you’re looking for healthy snack options, ditch the vending machine and try one of these delicious alternatives made with ingredients readily available in your kitchen. These six options are sure to help you stay full, and at just 15 grams of carbohydrates or less, you’ll want to try them all.
1. 3 Tbsp Homemade Trail Mix – Combine 1 Tbsp each of chopped nuts, raisins, and pumpkin seeds.
2. 1/4 Cup of Guacamole with 1 Sliced Bell Pepper 3. 2 Mini Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Bars – Dip in 1 Tbsp of peanut butter for a sweet and savory treat!
4. 3/4 Cup of Lentil Soup 5. 1 Cup of Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt with ¼ Sliced Cucumber and Fresh Mint
6. PB&J Snack –
Assemble slices of banana, strawberries, and a dollop of lowcarb peanut butter.
609-641-7200
Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support Healthy eating is important especially for those living with diabetes. The Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support (DSMES) program is a FREE sixweek workshop that gives participants the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to lead a healthier life. Learn how to manage symptoms, communicate effectively with healthcare providers, improve eating and exercise habits, and more. For information about upcoming workshop dates, please contact Maggie Weaver, RN at (609) 350-8937 or mweaver@jfsatlantic.org.
6
Community Connections
Strength in Community
jfsatlantic.org
Survivors and community members visited Stockton Atlantic City’s Campus for lunch and a viewing of the independent film, “Big Sonia.” Special thanks to luncheon co-sponsors Claims Conference, local survivors, the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University and the Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage of Stockton University.
Thank you to the dozens of community partners including Margate Fire and Police departments and OceanFirst Bank, among many others, who helped JFS feed 515 families this holiday season through the JFS Turkey Drive.
On September 25th OceanFirst Foundation presented JFS with $20,000 to benefit JFS Village by the Shore. More than 30 members, friends and neighbors mingled and danced to live music by Even Betta at the first JFS Village Social in August.
The New Must Read for South Jersey’s Baby Boomers
SOUTH JERSEY REGIONS • SPRING 2018
COMPLIMENTARY
B U S I N E S S & L I F E S T Y L E AT T H E J E R S E Y S H O R E
Plus
BOOMERS THE TEAM AT BAYSIDE DENTISTRY CREATES BEAUTIFUL SMILES TO LAST A LIFETIME! See pages 17, 18 & 19
Photo by Tracy Harman Photography
STARS OF THE COMMUNITY The individuals who are reshaping and impacting the community little by little. Pages 28 & 29
Boomers Plus Magazine connects businesses to baby boomer’s demographics in Atlantic County through direct mail, print, web and social media.
www.boomersplusmag.com
POSTAL CUSTOMER
For more information, contact Lauren Shover at 856-297-5946 or email staff@boomersplusmag.com
JFS celebrated RSVP Volunteers at an appreciation luncheon on October 30th at the Crab Trap.
7
FREE
Member Spotlight
Strength in Community
jfsatlantic.org
It’s a Family Thing for the Gordons! L
ong time Village member, Steve Gordon, is a remarkable person. He is one of three brothers. His parents, Milton and Shirley Gordon, met when Milton, a WWII veteran from Troy, NY visited Atlantic City after the war and stayed at the Dichter Hotel, owned by Shirley’s father. Milton and Shirley married within about 6 months of meeting and introduced Shirley’s beloved sister Ruth to Murray Raphel, who would later become her husband. The elder Gordons celebrated 70 years of marriage. In 1947, the sisters and their husbands opened the iconic Atlantic City landmark, Gordon’s Alley. Beginning with a children’s store they gradually added a men’s store, womens’ apparel shop, shoe store, jewelry store, card shop and restaurant. As Steve said, “We had everything!” So many of us in the community have fond memories of our parents and grandparents shopping in Gordon’s Alley, where you could always find quality goods at reasonable prices. Steve spent many holidays working in Gordon’s Alley by opening the store’s front door and inviting customers in at the beginning of the day. At the end of the day Steve counted the money from the day’s sales and went to the bank with one of the elder Gordons to make a deposit. In between, he folded and maintained the merchandise on the shelves and hand packaged up to 1,000 pieces for mailing. When the elder Gordons sold Gordon’s Alley, Steve went to work at Bally’s Park Place where he worked for 25 years until his retirement.
special relationships with his Village volunteers and drivers. Fran still talks about how much she looked forward to and enjoyed speaking with Milton each week. Since Milton’s passing there have been many changes and adjustments for Steve and his family. His mother, Shirley is moving in with his brother while Steve is learning to prepare his own meals and is contemplating a move of his own using the assistance of his Village Care Coordinator and the Village Membership Director.
With his warm and outgoing nature, Steve has become an invaluable Village member. He epitomizes all of the best aspects of Village life by taking advantage of program supports offered to enhance his lifestyle while volunteering and offering assistance to others in return. He truly finds joy in being a friend and helpful neighbor. When facing challenges in life Steve has a “can “ I look forward to a bright do” attitude. Although legally blind, he volunteers almost every month to help and happy future filled with put together the Village Event mailing. He enjoys walking, dancing, BINGO, eating out, bowling, memorizing poems family, friends and the JFS and is a season ticket holder to his beloved Phillies. He attends the program Village Movement.” at the Ventnor Senior Center where he met and befriended a local Holocaust – Steve Gordon Survivor who has invited him to the JFS Village by the Village Holocaust Survivor Luncheons each month as her guest. He uses Shore member Village transportation to volunteer for the Village and attend Village programs like Lunch Around Town, Village Socials Steve first heard about JFS Village from his father Milton, a and Holocaust Luncheons. Steve has also developed a great JFS Village member himself, who lived with Shirley upstairs in relationship with his Care Coordinator, Jie Chen's who assists the same condo building as Steve. He told Steve it was a great with food shopping, searching out healthcare options and new program that would offer him transportation and things he’d housing possibilities for the future. enjoy doing. As a Village member, the elder Gordon used the Village rides, had a friendly visitor (Jerry Gordon, no relation) Steve is looking forward to more time spent with his friends and and received weekly phone calls from Village volunteer, Fran neighbors and is a wonderful example of how the JFS Village can Baronowitz. Until his recent death, Milton maintained warm and benefit families through generations.
Village by the Shore 609.822.1109 villagejfs@jfsatlantic.org 607 North Jerome Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402 jfsvillagebytheshore.org
JFS is an affiliate agency of the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties and a partner agency with United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey in Atlantic County.
8