Wed, 13 May 2026 19:54:42 -0700EditMySiteMon, 04 May 2026 14:41:35 GMThttps://www.jfsannarbor.org/blog/may-is-mental-health-awareness-monthMay is Mental Health Month and we’re joining Mental Health America (MHA) to focus on a simple, shared focus: helping people have more good days, together.  
MHA’s More Good Days, Together campaign is about helping people have more good days by meeting them where they are, supporting each other as whole people, and understanding that “good” is defined by unique and diverse experiences. 
This May, we invite you to join us as we explore ways to create moments of connection, joy, or other things that help you have a "good" day – whatever that looks like for you. 
1. Defining what “good” means to you.  
What does having a “good day” mean to you? 

Good can be defined as a lot of things to a lot of people; happy, productive, calm, comfortable, neutral – or something else entirely. The meaning itself can change as you do, too. Good days might include being able to leave work on time or sitting with friends at lunch. Sometimes, it might mean you were able to get out of bed or make it to class or work at all. 

No matter how you’re feeling at this moment, remember that more good days are possible, help is available, and you are not alone. Think about sharing what you come up with and invite others to think about it as well. 

2. Care for your whole self.  
It’s impossible to try and separate our bodies and minds completely. Our sleep, stress, relationships, nutrition, environment, and other health conditions all impact – and are impacted by – our mental health.  

Things that affect our health aren’t always within our control. Even when we can’t change everything, noticing what we can influence is important for our well-being. Whether it’s finding ways to move that you enjoy, connecting with your peers in school clubs, remembering to drink water, or actually taking a lunch break – small wins matter.
 
When setting goals or trying to build habits, consider prioritizing things that care for both your physical and mental health – or at least identifying how the two might be connected in your daily life. 

3. Work together for more good days. 
Connection and community play an important role in having more good days, together.  

Even small moments of connection – virtual or in person – can help to reduce stress and anxiety and remind us that we’re not the only ones feeling what we’re feeling. You don’t have to carry the weight of “not-so-good” days alone. 

Check in with a friend between classes, colleagues between meetings, or just reach out loved ones to see how they’re doing. Don’t be afraid to ask others if you’re the one in need of encouragement, either.

Working together may also mean looking outside of our immediate circles by caring for our communities through advocacy, volunteering, or creating spaces for people who may not know where else to go. Good change happens with intention 

4. Find your own path. 
Nationally, 1 in 4 adults experience a mental health condition each year – youth follow closely behind at 1 in 5 – and every one of them is learning how to manage their mental health each day. 
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The path to better days is deeply personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s important to explore which practices, treatments, or other supports best fit your unique needs and circumstances. 

If you’re feeling discouraged by not knowing how to have more good days or you know someone else who is, professional help is available at Thrive. To seek out services, call 734-436-4249 to complete a brief screening over the phone or find us at JFSAnnArbor.org/Thrive to complete the online form.]]>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:52:58 GMThttps://www.jfsannarbor.org/blog/caring-with-not-for-someone-living-with-dementiaIf you are caring for someone living with dementia, you have probably discovered that there is
no single rulebook. Every person brings a lifetime of memories, preferences, and personality to
their experience of the disease. Good care becomes less about following a script and more
about knowing and validating the person in front of you.
Care should be done with someone, not for them. That small shift in language reflects
something important. It is the difference between preserving someone's dignity and quietly
taking it away.

When Someone Repeats Themselves or Forgets
Short-term memory loss is one of the most common symptoms of dementia, and it can be one
of the most emotionally difficult for families to navigate. When a loved one asks the same
question again and again, the instinct to correct is understandable, but it can often add stress
rather than relieving it.
What tends to work better is meeting the person where they are. Familiar routines offer structure
and safety. A simple calendar of upcoming events can help with day-to-day orientation. When
someone repeats a question, try answering calmly each time, sometimes adding something
small and new to the response. When memory loss becomes more advanced, the most
compassionate response is often to enter someone's reality rather than pull them out of it.

When Emotions or Personality Seem to Change
Dementia can bring unexpected shifts in mood, behavior, and personality. For families, watching
those changes unfold can feel like grief. Those feelings are completely valid.
When a person living with dementia becomes frightened, sad, or agitated, their emotions are
real even when the cause is not. Challenging or correcting them rarely helps and can deepen
distress. Instead, try validating what they are feeling with a calm tone, a reassuring word, and a
willingness to sit with them in the moment. This can do more than any explanation. Avoid
arguing, redirect toward an activity they enjoy when the moment allows, and give them room to
express what they are feeling without rushing to fix it.

When Personal Care Becomes Difficult
Hygiene and physical care are areas where dignity is especially easy to overlook. The goal is to
involve the person as much as possible in their own care rather than taking over entirely. Ask
discreetly if they need help rather than assuming. If the person definitely needs help, try to
engage them as a collaborator as much as possible. Use preferred items and familiar routines.
This can make the experience feel less disorienting. Narrating what you are doing in a calm,
matter-of-fact way can also help. Small things like these make care feel collaborative rather than
something being done to someone.

Caring for the Caregiver
None of this is easy, and it cannot be sustained without support. According to the Alzheimer's
Association, more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone living with
dementia. The physical, emotional, and financial toll is significant, and it rarely gets the attention
it deserves.
Being a prepared caregiver means building a support network, having important documents in
order, and taking your own well-being seriously. Know your limits and name them. Accept help
when it is offered. If you are finding it hard to sleep, eat, or think about anything other than
caregiving, that is a sign you need support too, not a sign you are failing.

JFS's CARES program offers up to 48 hours of free in-home respite care for caregivers who
need time to rest, attend to their own needs, or simply recharge. The Alzheimer's Association is
also a strong resource for education, local support groups, and planning guidance.
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You do not have to figure this out alone. Reach out to CARES Manager Roberta Hirshon at
207-233-1051 or robertah@jfsannarbor.org to learn more about caregiver support services]]>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:26:54 GMThttps://www.jfsannarbor.org/blog/building-brain-healthy-habits-for-caregivers-and-older-adultsWhen we think about brain health, many people immediately think about memory loss or dementia. However, brain health is something we build across our entire lives through daily habits, connection, rest, and care. A recent Alzheimer’s Association seminar shared the encouraging message that it is never too early to support cognitive wellness. Both caregivers and older adults can protect their brain health without dramatic changes. It begins with small, realistic steps that fit into everyday life. 
Everyday Habits That Support Brain Health 
One of the most important habits that can be implemented into everyday life is physical movement. This supports circulation, balance, strength, and overall brain function. Building this habit does not need to mean intense workouts. Helpful movement can include: short walks, gentle stretching, light strength exercises, or household activity. Consistency matters more than intensity. Even modest movement supports long-term wellness. 
Rest and Sleep 
Sleep allows the brain to reset and process information. Many caregivers struggle with sleep due to stress or nighttime responsibilities and that is completely understandable. If improving sleep feels overwhelming, try a small adjustment like maintaining a steady bedtime, limiting caffeine later in the day, or reducing nighttime light and noise. Making small improvements can lead to meaningful differences in the long-term.  
Nutrition and The Brain 
Nutrition plays an important role in brain health. Beneficial eating patterns emphasize leafy greens and vegetables, berries, whole grains, beans and legumes, fish, nuts, and olive oil. Limiting heavily processed foods and excess sweets can also support heart and brain health. This approach is not about perfection. It is about gradual, sustainable choices. 
Stay Mentally and Socially Engaged 
Keeping the brain active helps build cognitive reserve. Activities such as reading, puzzles or games, learning a new skill, volunteering (maybe at the JFS food pantry), and meaningful social connection can benefit brain health. Isolation increases stress which can affect overall health. 
Change Is Hard 
Building new habits is difficult. Caregivers often place their own needs last while managing appointments, medications, transportation, and emotional support. If this feels familiar, you are not alone. Instead of asking, “How can I change everything?” Consider asking, “What is one small thing I can change this week?” Small, consistent changes are more sustainable than overwhelming goals. 
Caregiver Health Matters Too 
​Brain health is not only about the person receiving care; it is also about the caregiver. Chronic stress can affect sleep, mood, and overall wellness. Taking breaks is not selfish. It is essential. The CARES program at Jewish Family Services offers up to 48 hours of free in-home respite care for caregivers. This time allows caregivers to rest, attend appointments, or simply recharge. 
Supporting your own well-being strengthens your ability to care for someone else. If you would like to learn more about CARES or other caregiver resources at JFS, we encourage you to reach out. You deserve support on your caregiving journey. Small steps matter. 
Learn more about CARES – Caring for Caregivers at Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County.
]]>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:25:30 GMThttps://www.jfsannarbor.org/blog/a-visit-that-matters-inside-jfss-friendly-visitor-program5236543JFS’s Friendly Visitor Program connects volunteers with older adults who welcome regular company. The program invites a volunteer and client to spend time together twice each month, doing whatever brings joy. Some pairs enjoy board games, while others take leisurely walks through the neighborhood, sharing stories along the way. Many simply sit together, watching favorite shows and commenting on the plot twists. 
There are no set curriculum or proscribed activities—just authentic human connection. 
What makes this program work is its beautiful simplicity. All that is required is a willingness to show up and connect. 
The impact ripples both ways. Older adults gain companionship and a renewed sense of being valued and remembered. Volunteers often share that these visits become highlights of their month—opportunities to slow down, listen to perspectives shaped by decades of experience, and rediscover the quiet power of being present. Many matches grow into genuine friendships. 
If you have four hours a month, you already have everything needed to make a real difference in someone’s life. No grand gestures required—just you, showing up twice a month, ready to play cards, take a walk, or enjoy whatever the afternoon brings. 
Older adults who or are receiving services from JFS Wise are eligible for Friendly Visitors. New clients go through a basic interview and home visit to ensure that our staff can make the best possible match.    
More Than a Visit 
A short story by Mitch G., Friendly Visitor Volunteer 
I found the Friendly Visitors Program to be both worthwhile and deeply rewarding. When the program coordinator, Aviv Touitou, contacted me about a potential match, she mentioned that the client was interested in history, and his sister added that he loved music. Since I share those interests, I decided to give it a try, and I’m very glad I did. 
When you think about it, a perfect match isn’t really necessary. Many of us have different opinions and interests from our friends, spouses, siblings, and parents, and we still get along. 
At our first meeting, the client and I introduced ourselves, and he gave me a tour of the assisted-living facility, including his room. We talked about our lives. I showed him pictures of my family and our pets on my phone, and he told me about his sister, brother, and children. We discussed our professions and hobbies. He told me he loved sailing and had once owned a 24-foot sailboat. 
I played YouTube videos on my phone of Koko Taylor, one of his favorite blues singers. He loved it, tapping his feet, singing along, whistling, and pretending to play a keyboard. It was a joy to watch. Over the course of our many visits, I found my phone to be a very useful tool. My friend was especially engaged when viewing pictures and listening to music. During one visit, I showed him photos I had taken of X-ray images that my wife and I had seen at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. He had a great time identifying images of familiar objects such as a toaster, transistor radio, telephone, and camera, as well as more unusual ones like a cobra and seashells. 
When we first met, my friend had moderate dementia. He would often ask me, “So what’s new?” every five or ten minutes. I learned to accept this with a sense of humor and would repeat myself, adding a little something new each time. On another visit, I asked whether he could still play the banjo he kept in his room. He said he could and played a short tune for me. I recorded it on my phone. I treasure that video as a cherished memory. 
I visited my friend every Monday for many months. His sister told me he looked forward to my visits, and I did too. Unfortunately, he had cancer, and his health gradually deteriorated. He became increasingly tired, eventually could no longer use a walker and relied on a wheelchair, and his dementia worsened. Even so, our visits remained meaningful. 
On the last Monday I came to visit him, he had passed away just minutes before I arrived. His sister, her husband, and the rabbi were there. His sister told me that the rabbi had recited prayers, and that my friend, though barely conscious, mouthed the words along with him. She said he passed away peacefully, and that she felt his soul leave his body—a very special experience for her. 
I later attended a beautiful ceremony for my friend at the temple and went to shiva at his sister’s home. At these gatherings, I learned more about his life. I told his brother that I had visited him every Monday, much like Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. His brother laughed and said that he actually works for Mitch Albom. It truly is a small world. 
I miss my friend. It was a privilege to know him. I am grateful that I participated in the Friendly Visitors Program and plan to do so again in the future. I highly recommend this program. 
 For more information about JFS’ WISE programs, please visit www.jfsannarbor.org/wise.
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