Caregiver Resources

Essential Information and Support

Caregiver Challenges

Incredibly Rewarding and Extremely Demanding

CJE SeniorLife is your trusted resource—a reassuring guide in helping you find the services and support you may need, no matter what part of the caregiving journey you’re on: the planning stages, caring for a loved one in your home, supporting them in a facility near or far, or overseeing their end-of-life requirements.

Caring for an aging parent, spouse, or other loved one can be rewarding and extremely demanding at the same time.

Caregiver challenges often include:

Navigating complex systems to access services
Making sense of a confusing array of care options
Finding time to take care of themselves while they’re caring for others
Coping with exhaustion and stress related to their caregiving and other roles
Helping their loved ones ease social isolation
Knowing how to plan for the future as their loved one’s needs change

To help you maneuver through your ever-changing caregiving journey, no matter if your loved one is dealing with illness, dementia, life transitions or losses, we offer assistance to family members through a combination of programs, groups and expert consultation.

You’ll find below a comprehensive list of CJE resources and information available to caregivers:

CJE Clinical Intake

Our clinical intake professionals can help you find programs and supports within our organization and in the community. Your first step is to call 773.508.1000 and speak with an Intake team member about any aging or disability-related question. That team member will then guide you to the specific services and supports you need, lightening your caregiver load.
CJE Counseling Services

Caregivers who are over 55 years old and experiencing caregiver stress may be eligible to receive counseling services at CJE SeniorLife. Our team of licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) are experts in managing aging and caregiver issues. Insurance covers these services in most cases.
A full range of caregiver behavioral health services are offered in our Rogers Park and Deerfield offices or via telehealth. Call 773.508.1000 to find out more about our caregiver counseling services.
CJE Caregiver Support Groups

The Family Caregiver Support Group—Virtual Support Group is for all family members who are providing care for someone with dementia. You’ll spend time with other caregivers who are coping with similar challenges and concerns and find opportunities to your coping strategies in a supportive environment. Group leaders are Carrie Cutler, MSW, LCSW, and Catherine “Cat” Miller, BC-DMT, LCPC. Virtual Zoom meeting times are: First Thursday of every month from 4-5 pm and Third Thursday of every month from 10-11 am. The sessions are free, but you must register by calling 847.236.7826 or emailing carrie.cutler@cje.net.

Making Connections is for older adults who have adult family members with disabilities of any kind, including intellectual, physical, or mental health concerns. You’ll have the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and learn about benefits and community resources. This Zoom group meets on the First and Third Wednesday of each month from 3-4pm. Contact Linkages Coordinator, Kate Maley, LCSW, at 773.508.1327 for more information.

Caring Conversations is a support group for family caregivers of Holocaust Survivors. Meetings are held on the First Wednesday of every month from 4-5:30 pm with video or telephone options. Group leaders are Yonit Hoffman, PhD and Anna Dominov, LCSW. To register, contact Yonit Hoffman at 773.508.1004 or Yonit.Hoffman@cje.net.

Adult Day Services Care Partner Support Group is for Evanston Adult Day Services care partners. Virtual meetings are held the First Monday of each month from 1-2:30 pm. To register, Jordyn Cohen at 773.508.1000 or Jordyn.Cohen@cje.net.
CJE Therapy Group for Caregivers
This 8-week series, Building Caregiver Resilience, is designed to address issues impacting the emotional well-being of caregivers. This therapeutic group provides a safe space for caregivers, aged 55 and over, to explore issues related to caregiving. Participation requires advance screening and evaluation to be billable to Medicare and other insurance. For more information or to register, call 773.508.4742.
Group Members can expect to:
Share experiences with others who are dealing with similar situations
Increase insight and understanding of self and others
Identify stressors related to caregiving
Address caregiver burnout
Strengthen coping skills with mutual support
Focus on self-care
Build resilience
Linkages—Support for Seniors with Adult Children with Disabilities
LINKAGES is a collaborative program that can help seniors and their adult children with disabilities; its team assists clients in addressing the issues, needs, and concerns of their family by providing information, support, and referrals. The staff has extensive expertise on available disability and aging resources, government benefits, and future planning tools. They can also direct families toward any available care coordination support and encourage families to strengthen their self-advocacy skills. LINKAGES also offers a family member support group, community education programs on disability and aging, and family social events and activities.

CJE SeniorLife works in partnership on the program with affiliated agencies of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, including:

Jewish Child and Family Services

Jewish Vocational Services

Keshet

The ARK of Chicago

LINKAGES staff also works closely with other area organizations, such as The Center for Independent Futures in Evanston, and the Department on Disability and Human Development at University of Illinois Chicago.

Please visit our YouTube Channel for the library of related videos.

*The program is created and supported by the Jewish Federation of Chicago and most program services are provided free of charge.

For more information, please call 773.508.1000 or complete the contact us form and request LINKAGES
Adult Day Services

CJE offers adult day programming in Deerfield and Evanston for seniors with dementia and other aging issues. Our expert staff provides supervised, structured socialization along with support and stimulating programs for seniors. This service also allows caregivers a much-needed respite, knowing their loved one is being cared for by our supportive team. The day’s activities incorporate memory support, health and wellness, and creative arts therapies.

For more information or to schedule a tour at our ADS Evanston or Deerfield locations, call 773.508.1000.
Care Management

Our care management services offer seniors and their families support, guidance, referrals, and direct services. Our goal is to help families navigate the world of aging with their care partners by providing hands-on support and ongoing consultation for every step of their loved one’s care journey. A care assessment is required along with meeting eligibility requirements.

For more information, call 773.508.1000 or submit the contact form below.
Legal Services

Irving H. and Jane W. Goldberg Legal Services at CJE offers free legal consultation, advice, referrals, and drafting legal documents for older adults and those caring for them. Our team is available for in-person, telephone, or zoom appointments to assist with civil legal matters.

To schedule an appointment, call 773.508.1000 or email info@cje.net.
Benefits Services

CJE provides free customer assistance for those needing to navigate public and private benefits, such as health insurance, social security, or state in-home services. With so many resources and programs available, the task is overwhelming for many family caregivers. Our Benefits Services team provides 1:1 assistance to help guide you.

Call 773.508.1000 to speak with a Resource Specialist.
CJE Cyber Club Programs

Cyber Club is CJE’s digital meeting place, offering hundreds of free, interactive, real-time programming, along with educational videos, virtual activities, and access to wellness resources.

To join these programs, call 773.508.1000 or email community.engagement@cje.net.
Insights on Aging

Insights on Aging is an ongoing community education series covering a broad range of mental health topics. Presentations provide an introduction to, as well as resources for, topics such as establishing a mindfulness practice, identifying dementia in loved ones, addressing substance misuse, completing basic legal documents, and more. Community members are encouraged to join this live virtual series through our Programs and Events page and can view previous recordings in our Insights on Aging playlist.
CJE LifeNotes
Helpful Articles and Resource Guide for Caregivers
Caregiver Resource Guide and Articles for Download

Supporting Family Caregivers of Older Adults Through Times of Stress and Isolation Resource Guide

Four Free Tools to Help Caregivers Prepare for Emergencies

Stress Management for Caregivers, Mayo Clinic

Caregiver Burnout: Steps for Coping with Stress AARP

We Can Help

Contact Us Today

Whether you’re not sure where to start or have specific questions for our team of professionals, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Call to talk with a team member immediately at 773.508.1000 or submit the contact form to the right and someone from CJE will be in touch shortly.

Caregiver Resources

Essential Information and Support

Caregiver Challenges

Incredibly Rewarding and Extremely Demanding

We Can Help

Contact Us Today

BERNARD HORWICH BUILDING

3003 W. Touhy Ave.
Chicago, IL 60645

773.508.1000