Beachwood Buzz – June 2025
In honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, explore JFSA Cleveland’s long history of supporting individuals living with dementia and the families who care for them. This article is the third in a series celebrating JFSA’s 150-year legacy. 

In 2013, a community-needs assessment by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland revealed a rise in Alzheimer’s and other dementias among older Jewish adults. In response, JFSA and community partners in aging – including the Federation, Bikur Cholim, Menorah Park, Montefiore (now King David), the JCC and others – committed to developing creative, community-based solutions to support those affected. JFSA’s dedication to dementia care began as early as the 1980s, when the agency recognized the unique emotional and physical toll of Alzheimer’s on families:

• 1984: JFSA launches its first counseling group for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s.

• 1987: The Respite Care Program begins, offering trained, in-home companions for families.
• 1997: JFSA partners with Montefiore to offer a continuum of home health services called Jewish Community Care at Home.

• 2004: Specialized home health aides begin providing advanced
Alzheimer’s care.

• 2019: With $1 million in federal and local funding from the Administration for Community Living (and as one of 15 providers to receive such funding), JFSA launches the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Support Program. With it, the “Savvy Caregiver” webinar series begins, offering caregivers six weeks of free, expert-led training as well as the monthly Brain Health and Wellness Speaker Series.

• 2020: The Dementia Caregiver Support Group is launched to
help caregivers reduce stress, access resources, and connect in a supportive environment.

• 2024: The JFSA Memory Café opens, offering a welcoming space for individuals with memory loss and their care partners to socialize, enjoy music, and engage in activities. JFSA is also selected as one of four Cleveland organizations to join the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services new GUIDE Model, a national initiative focused on improving dementia care and caregiver support.

JFSA has always understood that older adults value independence – and that with the right support, they can maintain it. Since revitalizing its dementia services in 2019, JFSA has served 732 individuals and their families through assessments, referrals, education, counseling, and respite care.