As we celebrate the holiday season, please consider those in our community who struggle daily with physical, mental or developmental challenges and often lack the financial and educational resources to get the help they desperately need. Some have no reliable family to count on for help. Many have been caregivers who are now unable to care for themselves. And most live lives that make them extremely vulnerable and put their health and safety at risk.

For over a century FCS has been a reliable and effective resource for those in most need throughout Monmouth County. Your generous support will help sustain FCS in its continued mission to provide compassionate care, intervention and education to people like these during challenging times in their lives:

• Mrs. M. is a lively, upbeat and resilient 80-year-old who suffers from many significant health issues, including COPD and severe arthritis, which has left her with minimal movement in her hand and arm. Before the FCS Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) program stepped in, Mrs. M. received no services to assist her with daily living. JACC provides a range of in-home services as an alternative to nursing home placement, enabling eligible individuals to remain at home. Through JACC, Mrs. M. now has a Certified Home Health Aide for six hours each week who assists her with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry and personal care. Because she is a fall risk and lives alone, JACC also got Mrs. M. a life alert unit allowing her to remain safe in her own home for as long as possible.
• Seventy-seven year-old Mr. S. is often confused and frantic because he cannot find his wife who passed away years earlier. He repeatedly called the police trying to find his deceased wife and often left home without supervision looking for her. FCS Adult Protective Services (APS), a program that investigates reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults, was called in to help. APS social workers found that Mr. S. wasn’t eating well or changing his clothes. His bills were unpaid and his home was in disrepair. Instructions left for him by his daughter when she was at work were insufficient to keep him safe while he was home alone. Due to APS intervention, Mr. S. now has a Certified Home Health Aide who visits him regularly, ensuring that his basic needs are met. A guardian was also appointed for Mr. S. to take responsibility for his care because he is unable to care for himself.
• Mrs. W. is a 76-year-old who receives help through the FCS Statewide Respite Care Program. Statewide Respite Care provides eligible Monmouth County residents with assistance to support those caring for an elderly or disabled relative or friend. Respite Care made it possible for Mrs. W. to attend medical adult day care while her daughter, who is her caregiver, is at work. Adult day care allows Mrs. W. to socialize with others and as a result it has had a positive impact on her quality of life. Her daughter says that she has seen an increase in her mother’s happiness since starting the program and it has lowered her own stress level because she knows that her mother is safe and enjoying interacting with others.

During this season of giving, please consider making a generous gift to FCS to help vulnerable people like these in our community during the coming year. Donate Now. Your gift is important, no matter the amount. Please know we are very grateful for your kindness.

We wish you a very happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season.