In Summer 2019, St. Joseph Parish began offering the Eldercare Program. As a Parish with a significant aging population, so many of our parishioners and their loved ones are sometimes confronted with rehabilitation after illness; requiring assistance to remain safely in their homes, and; possible long-term care placement. This can be a frightening and exhausting experience.

St. Joseph is the second Parish in Delaware County, and twelfth in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to offer this Program, in partnership with Catholic Housing and Community Services and partially funded by a generous endowment.

The St. Joseph Eldercare Program can help in a variety of ways, such as:

•   Information & Referral - connecting parishioners to services they need or will enhance their lives, including private home care agencies; elder law attorneys; affordable senior housing; where to receive public benefits such as Senior Farmers' Market vouchers.

•   Case Management - Geriatric Care Manager visits the older adult's home to complete a comprehensive assessment and develops a plan of care to address multiple issues including ensuring safety while remaining in their home, managing a transition from hospital stay to short-term rehabilitation center to home, caregiver stress and burnout, and encouraging legal documentation to be current and suitable. Other services include helping parishioners apply for Veterans benefits, SNAP (formerly called food Stamps), LIHEAP, Medicare plans, and rent/ property tax rebate.

Jennifer Rose, MSW, LSW, runs the Eldercare Program at St. Joseph Parish.

Jennifer has worked with seniors since 2005 in a variety of capacities. She has been with Catholic Housing and Community Services for more than seven years. Jennifer's office is in the rectory of St. Joseph Parish; you may contact her at (484) 494-5011 or jrose@chs-adphila.org. While she is in the rectory part-time, she is available by phone and email full-time. She is able to meet with seniors in their homes, if that is their preference.

It is our goal to assist the seniors of our Parish in enjoying independence and the highest possible quality of life in their homes and our Parish community.