Missouri heat can be intolerable for many local residents as well as dangerous. Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JF&CS) recognizes that the elderly are more vulnerable to these dangers and wants to educate citizens on how to care for the community’s senior population.

JF&CS encourages the community to check on their elderly family members and neighbors to be sure they are safe and healthy. Check on those that may be living alone and be sure they are comfortable in their homes with the air conditioning on. Trying to face the summer heat without air conditioning can be life threatening, depending on how high the mercury gets.

For seniors and elderly needing further care, JF&CS has several programs offering varying degrees of assistance. The In-Home Services/Homemaker Program serves seniors and adults with special needs so they may maintain their independence at home. 

The elderly may receive up to 15 hours of care per week and fees are on a sliding scale based upon income. Services range from light housekeeping, companionship, meal preparation, transportation and bathing/grooming.

 “Adult children tell us all the time how they have a peace of mind with their parents in JF&CS’s In-Home Services program,” said Lori Goldberg, Manager of Senior Services. “It’s a relief knowing that their aging parents are being taken care of while still being able to keep their independence.”

Interested clients should call JF&CS’s ElderLink St. Louis information and referral line at 314-812-9300 to obtain more information and to set up an appointment for an assessment and individualized care plan. ElderLink St. Louis, a project of JF&CS, is a referral service that also offers information and advice about common problems or issues seniors might face.