JFSA acts as a link between Lower Mainland seniors and relatives who live in or out-of-town. Staff members monitor seniors through telephone conversations, home visits and office visits. We also liaise with family, arrange assessments, discuss housing options and provide individual and family counselling and support. Concerned families can get professional assistance from a team of health care professionals at JFSA.
We know that Care Management is a Process
The first step toward effective Care Management is to gather a comprehensive picture of each older adult, through an extensive assessment. This assessment includes an in-home visit, conversations or visits with family/significant others, and medical and community professionals if relevant.
The second step may be to put in place a combination of in-home and community supports and services to maximize independence and safety. JFSA has a Home Support service that provides hourly help on a sliding fee scale based on annual income. Our care managers are knowledgeable about community resources such as adult day care, therapeutic lunches, recreational, social and mental stimulation programs.
Care Management can also include assistance with the choice of alternative housing. The care manager can explore options, take seniors to view assisted living, and work with government case managers to facilitate placement in congregate care. Care Management services may be on a short-term basis or continue for several years. The process includes ongoing home visits and assessment of physical and psychosocial changes, as well as ongoing communication with family members and other professionals.
JFSA prides itself on offering professional, caring, and comprehensive Care Management services. Adjunct services include volunteer matching, access to peer counselling, driving to medical appointments, Holocaust Survivor Services, equipment loan, and KMOW delivery.
Our outreach counsellors serve the Lower Mainland including:
- West Vancouver
- Richmond
- Burnaby
- New Westminster
- Coquitlam
For more information please contact any of our outreach counselors:
Joanne Haramia, MSW
Director of Seniors Services
604.637.3310
Joanne has been with JFSA for 5 years. She has a Master of Social Work from UBC, and more than 25 years experience working in a variety of settings. She has run a large Home Support agency, a Neighbourhood House, and a Multicultural Society. Throughout this time, she has maintained a strong interest in seniors’ issues. At JFSA she has encouraged community outreach and partnership in community settings. She supervises a team of seven staff in the areas of information and referral, one to one counseling, direct programming such as therapeutic luncheons, community kitchens, ESL, and public education. She sees some clients individually as well as program management and evaluation, and Grant development.
Donna Cantor, MSW
Seniors Outreach Counsellor
604.257.5151 ext. 1-218
Donna has been with JFSA for over 2 years. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Yeshiva University in New York City and has been practicing different forms of social work at JFSA in both Ottawa and Vancouver. Donna has also worked for the Ministry of Children and Families here in Vancouver. Donna works with seniors and their adult children, visiting with them and helping them collect information and accessing resources within the community.
Elaine Perzow, BSW, MSW
Home Support Coordinator
604.257.5151 ext. 1-203
Elaine has a graduate degree from McGill University specializing in hospital administration and geriatrics. She has worked in hospitals in Montreal and Vancouver for over 25 years and has been with JFSA for 3 years. Elaine’s role as coordinator involves the evaluation of people (including families) who need assistance at home due to illness, disability or aging. Services provided are personal care, housekeeping, companionship, outings and supportive contact. Home support staff of over 20 are trained, experienced and are supervised by the coordinator. The coordinator and staff work collaboratively with community continuing care or other agencies.
Gisi Levitt, BSW
Seniors Outreach Counsellor
604.257.5151 ext. 1-219
Gisi has been in that position since 1999. She has an undergraduate degree with a double major in Sociology and Psychology as well as post-graduate courses including a certificate in Counselling and Working with the Aging Population from UBC’s Continuing Studies Program and a certificate in Volunteer Management from VCC. Gisi is a daughter of refugees, understands German and the immigration experience. Gisi attends to the needs of frail seniors living in isolation some with many health issues. She also works with adult children helping them access appropriate information so that they and their family’s can make decisions about the care of their aging family member. Meeting with seniors is a priority helping them access information, services and helping them to make decisions about lifestyle issues. She also administrates the Claims Conference’s financial aid programs to Holocaust survivors. One day a week (Wednesday) Gisi is on contract through the Claims Conference to work with Holocaust Survivors exclusively at the Holocaust Centre.
Jacqueline Sankoff, M.Ed
Seniors Outreach Counsellor
604.257.5151 ext. 1-220
Jacqueline has been employed by JFSA for one year. She received her Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia specializing in children and families. She worked for the Ministry of Children and Families in Alberta and British Columbia doing protection work. For 5 years, Jacqueline worked at the Parkinson’s Disease Association of BC providing counselling and public education for seniors and families. At JFSA, as a Seniors Outreach Counsellor, she works with seniors and their families in all aspects of the ageing journey. She provides current information, links clients with community resources, is available for comprehensive geriatric assessments, care management, and counselling. As part of her outreach, she keeps office hours at B’Nai B’rith Manor, a seniors housing complex.
When Jacqueline is not at the JFSA you will find her cheering on her two daughters at their various sporting events. She loves biking, rock climbing, swimming, running, and going to the gym. Jacqueline loves to collect unique eye glasses and has over 20 pairs.
Queenie Hamovich, BA
Seniors Lunch Program Coordinator
604.257.5151 ext. 1-274
Queenie has worked at JFSA since 1997. The Seniors Lunch Program is celebrating eleven successful years in providing proper nutrition and socialization for hundreds of Jewish seniors over the years, enhancing their quality of life. Various types of programming also take place following the lunch. She says it is very gratifying when clients and volunteers continue to make donations directly into the program adding a fundraising component to the work. Queenie uses all of her skills and experiences from counselling, volunteer coordination and her degree in political science, in her current position at the JFSA. She was also the Coordinator of Volunteer and Companion Services, from l999-2002 at the Louis Brier Home and Hospital. Queenie also worked as a Peer Counsellor at the UBC Women’s Resources Centre under the direction of Ruth Sigal, for four wonderful years.
Talia Mastai, MSW
Neighbourhood Connections Coordinator
778.999.3939
<p>Talia Mastai has recently joined the JFSA Seniors Department as Volunteer Coordinator. Talia graduated with a Masters of Social Work from UBC in the Spring of 2011, focusing on social work practice with older adults. During her graduate program, she spent 8 months as a practicum student at the JFSA, in the Seniors’ Department. This experience reaffirmed her commitment to both working with seniors and contributing to the Jewish community.</p>
<p>Talia coordinates the Neighbourhood Connections program, a new project that connects seniors with volunteers in their neighbourhoods, to respond to requests for assistance with one-off tasks or errands.</p>
Zanna Linskaia, MA
Seniors Outreach Counsellor (Seniors Outreach Counsellor (Burquest- Burnaby, New Westminster & Coquitlam)
604.552.7221
