Living in the Chicago area while his parents resided in South Florida, Edward Newmark understood the challenges of helping aging loved ones from hundreds of miles away. He needed to know that when he could not be there himself, compassionate and dependable caregivers would be.
For many years, JFS at Home has provided Edward and his family with exactly that reassurance.
Edward’s parents, David and Sandra, moved to Florida in 1974 and later became residents of Sinai Residences in Boca Raton. When his father began experiencing health challenges, the family turned to JFS at Home for additional support.
“My father would sometimes go into rehabilitation and then return to independent living,” Edward recalled. “JFS at Home was there to help him make that transition and continue living in his apartment.”
One of his father’s caregivers, Suzette, developed an especially meaningful connection with him.
“She really took great care of my dad, and he truly enjoyed her company,” Edward said. “Unfortunately, my father eventually passed away, but we will always remember the care he received.”
JFS at Home continued supporting the family by providing caregivers for Edward’s mother. According to Edward, that assistance has played an important role in helping her remain in the home and community she enjoys.
“My parents made a great move when they came to Sinai about nine years ago,” he said. “They really loved it there. Being able to remain in independent living was a big plus, and having caregivers from JFS at Home helped make that possible.”
For Edward, one of the most valuable aspects of the experience has been caregiver consistency. Rather than frequently adjusting to new faces and routines, his parents have been able to build trusted relationships with familiar caregivers.
“The thing I appreciate most is that we have been able to maintain consistent caregivers without a lot of changes,” he said. “We have had very good experiences with the people caring for my parents.”
That continuity has been matched by JFS at Home’s ability to respond quickly when the family’s needs change—particularly during a hospitalization or transition home.
“When we have been in a pinch, whether someone was going into the hospital or returning home, JFS at Home has been able to provide the coverage we needed,” Edward said. “If we needed expanded hours or additional days, everyone was very responsive.”
Reliable communication has been equally important. Although Edward visits South Florida several times a year and has other family members in the area, he depends upon JFS at Home to help bridge the distance between Chicago and Boca Raton.
“The communication has been excellent,” he said. “People get right back to us and help fill whatever gaps we may have. That is especially important when you are trying to manage a parent’s care from another state.”
For families with aging parents, arranging in-home assistance is about far more than scheduling services. It is about finding people who can be trusted with the comfort, safety and dignity of someone they love.
For Edward and his family, JFS at Home has been that trusted partner through changing circumstances, difficult transitions and everyday needs.
“We have been super happy with JFS at Home,” Edward said. “It has been a great thing for our family, and we are very, very satisfied with the care and service they have provided to my parents over the years.”
