Empowering Older Adults. Together.

Older Adult Services

Age-related programs and services designed specifically for older adults to thrive.

Celebrating, supporting, and empowering our truest treasures.

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We recognize that older adults are true treasures, and we strive to create and maintain a community that values and celebrates them for their wisdom, contributions, and experiences. Our programs are an important outlet for our seniors, encouraging them to be social and stimulated. JFS is continuously evaluating the needs in our community to ensure we are providing aging-related programs that focus on issues such as physical and mental health, mobility, grief, isolation, and more.

We also recognize the important role that caregivers and family members play and offer programs and support groups for caregivers and adult children of aging parents, to help ensure that they are continually supported and educated.

Older Adult Progams & Services
Cyber Seniors

Cyber Seniors matches computer savvy volunteers with older adults needing basic tech assistance.

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Golden Lunch Bunch

Twice monthly lunch program for older adults to enjoy a catered lunch, live musical entertainment, and socialization.

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Helping Hands

Companionship and friendship for isolated seniors and people with disabilities. JFS volunteers provide regular telephone calls or in person visits, through which a baseline of friendship, care and concern is maintained.

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Helping Hands: Dementia Enrichment

Art and music programs that match trained facilitators with people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias for one-on-one monthly visits in homes, assisted living communities or nursing homes.

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Jacob's Ladder

JFS volunteers help seniors who need assistance with small tasks that require the use of a ladder (such as changing smoke detector batteries and light bulbs).

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Low-Vision Aid

Giving seniors with failing eyesight the tools they need to maintain independence in their day-to-day living.

Explore →

Religious Programming

From Shabbat services with challah and wine, to Hanukkah celebrations with latkes and applesauce, we strive to help our older population have the joy of the holidays as they have for years in the past.

Explore →

Senior Services Directory

Need to know which pharmacies deliver? How to get a ride somewhere? Volunteer opportunities? The senior directory is the go-to resource for anything seniors might need related to the community.

Explore →

Cyber Seniors

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Jamie Maresca.

615-354-1686

Email

Cyber Seniors matches computer savvy volunteers with older adults needing basic tech assistance.

Especially critical during the pandemic, this program continues to be available for increasing confidence with such things as Zoom meetings, online grocery shopping, and staying in touch virtually with family and friends.

Cyber Seniors

Cyber Seniors matches computer savvy volunteers with older adults needing basic tech assistance.

Especially critical during the pandemic, this program continues to be available for increasing confidence with such things as Zoom meetings, online grocery shopping, and staying in touch virtually with family and friends.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Anna Sir.

615-354-1686

Email

This twice monthly lunch program is a partnership between The Temple and Jewish Family Service.

Hosted at  The Temple, the Golden Lunch Bunch is a gathering for older adults to enjoy a catered lunch, live musical entertainment, and socialization. Open to all Jewish seniors in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area, the Golden Lunch Bunch is held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month.

Check the Golden Lunch Bunch event calendar for upcoming dates.

Golden Lunch Bunch

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Jamie Maresca.

615-354-1686

Email

Golden Lunch Bunch

This twice monthly lunch program is a partnership between The Temple and Jewish Family Service.

Hosted at  The Temple, the Golden Lunch Bunch is a gathering for older adults to enjoy a catered lunch, live musical entertainment, and socialization. Open to all Jewish seniors in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area, the Golden Lunch Bunch is held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month.

Check the Golden Lunch Bunch event calendar for upcoming dates.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Anna Sir.

615-354-1686

Email

Helping hands

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Jamie Maresca.

615-354-1686

Email

Companionship and friendship for isolated seniors and people with disabilities.

By matching a volunteer with a Helping Hands client, JFS volunteers provide in person visits or regular telephone calls, through which a baseline of friendship, care and concern is maintained. Visits are tailored to the older adult’s interests and may include activities such as discussing current events, playing cards, reading a book or the newspaper, or listening to music together.

All volunteers are trained and undergo a background check.

Helping Hands

Companionship and friendship for isolated seniors and people with disabilities.

By matching a volunteer with a Helping Hands client, JFS volunteers provide regular telephone calls or in person visits, through which a baseline of friendship, care and concern is maintained. Visits are tailored to the older adult’s interests and may include activities such as discussing current events, playing cards, reading a book or the newspaper, or listening to music together.

All volunteers are trained and undergo a background check yearly.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Anna Sir.

615-354-1686

Email

Matching music and art professionals with people living with dementia for monthly one-on-one visits.

Musical Helping Hands matches trained professional musicians with people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias for one-on-one monthly visits in homes, assisted living communities, or nursing homes.

The Helping Hands Art/OMA Program is a collaboration between JFS and Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), a national evidence-based art program. OMA’s mission is to build bridges across age and cognitive barriers through art through matching a trained art facilitator with someone living with dementia.

In offering music and art options, JFS recognizes the uniqueness of each situation and strives to offer opportunities for meaningful engagement and positive interaction. Our providers will travel to homes, assisted living communities or nursing homes.

Helping Hands: Alzheimer’s and other Dementias Enrichment

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Jamie Maresca.

615-354-1686

Email

Helping Hands: Alzheimers & Dementia Enrichment

Matching music professionals with people living with dementia for monthly one-on-one visits.
Musical Helping Hands matches trained professional musicians with people living with Alzheimer’s or others with dementia for one-on-one monthly visits in homes, assisted living communities, or nursing homes.
The Helping Hands Art/OMA Program is a collaboration between JFS and Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), a national evidence-based art program. OMA’s mission is to build bridges across age and cognitive barriers through art through matching a trained art facilitator with someone living with dementia.

In offering music and art options, JFS recognizes the uniqueness of each situation and strives to offer opportunities for meaningful engagement and positive interaction. Our volunteers will travel to homes, assisted living communities or nursing homes.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Anna Sir.

615-354-1686

Email

Jacob’s Ladder

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Jamie Maresca.

615-354-1686

Email

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We’ll climb the ladder to help with the chores that are just out of reach.

Even light home maintenance can be challenging for a senior. The Jacob’s Ladder Program pairs volunteers with seniors who might need assistance with small tasks that require the use of a ladder such as replacing batteries in smoke detectors, changing light bulbs, and setting clocks.

Jacob’s Ladder

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We’ll climb the ladder to help with the chores that are just out of reach.
Even light home maintenance can be challenging for a senior. The Jacob’s Ladder Program pairs volunteers with seniors who might need assistance with small tasks that require the use of a ladder such as replacing batteries in smoke detectors, changing light bulbs, and setting clocks.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Anna Sir.

615-354-1686

Email

Giving those with declining eyesight the tools they need to maintain independence.
Things like cooking, telling time, or getting dressed can be a challenge if you can’t see well. Through JFS’s partnership with B’nai B’rith Maimonides Lodge #46, the low vision aid program gives people with failing eyesight the tools they need to maintain independence in their day-to-day living. Those with failing vision are often able to live a fully capable life with just a little help!

Low-Vision Aid

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Toni Jacobsen.

615-354-1672

Email

Low-Vision Aid

Giving those with declining eyesight the tools they need to maintain independence.
Things like cooking, telling time, or getting dressed can be a challenge if you can’t see well. Through JFS’s partnership with B’nai B’rith Maimonides Lodge #46, the low vision aid program gives people with failing eyesight the tools they need to maintain independence in their day-to-day living. Those with failing vision are often able to live a fully capable life with just a little help!

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Anna Sir.

615-354-1686

Email

Religious Proramming

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Jamie Maresca.

615-354-1686

Email

If you’re unable to travel outside of your home to celebrate the holidays, we’ll bring the holidays to you.

Some of our older Jewish population who live in assisted living facilities are unable to travel to their synagogue or the GJCC for the holidays, so JFS brings the holidays to them! From Shabbat services with challah and wine, to Hanukkah celebrations with latkes and applesauce, we strive to help our older population have the joy of the holidays as they have for years in the past.

Religious Programming

If you’re unable to travel outside of your home to celebrate the holidays, we’ll bring the holidays to you.
Some of our older Jewish population who live in assisted living facilities are unable to travel to their synagogue or the GJCC for the holidays, so JFS brings the holidays to them! From Shabbat services with challah and wine, to Hanukkah celebrations with latkes and applesauce, we strive to help our older population have the joy of the holidays as they have for years in the past.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call or email Anna Sir.

615-354-1686

Email

The go-to publication for anything you might need related to senior living.
Need to know which pharmacies deliver? How to get a ride somewhere? Volunteer opportunities? Pulled from years of experience, the senior directory is an invaluable resource to those living in Nashville as well as to family members who live outside of Nashville and still want to take care of their loved one.

Senior Services Directory

Download

Senior Services Directory

The go-to publication for anything you might need related to senior living.
Need to know which pharmacies deliver? How to get a ride somewhere? Volunteer opportunities? Pulled from years of experience, the senior directory is an invaluable resource to those living in Nashville as well as to family members who live outside of Nashville and still want to take care of their loved one.

Download

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Confidentiality Promise

The trust between our clients and JFS is the basis for our success.  All transactions and discussions are protected by the highest professional ethical standards of client/counselor confidentiality.

All Services

Our comprehensive social services and programs are designed to enrich the whole person, enhance the whole family, and empower the whole community--no matter your age, race, religion, preference, identity, economic standing, or otherwise.

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Counseling Services

Life can be challenging, relationships can be hard, and you may need the extra support that comes with working with a therapist. Our licensed social workers offer counseling for individuals, couples, and families, as well as for children and adolescents.

Individuals  |  Couples  |  Families   |  Children & Teens

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Adoption Services

Choosing to adopt a child, or to place a child for adoption, is a life-altering decision. We are a licensed child-placing agency in Tennessee with more than 40 years of experience in adoption services in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Birth Parents  |  Adoptive Parents  |  LGBTQ+ Adoptions

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Food & Financial Support

Whether you need emergency financial assistance, such as help paying a utility bill or rent for the month, or material assistance by ensuring your children have gifts at the holidays, school supplies, or food supplements, Jewish Family Service offers this critical assistance in a confidential, compassionate manner.

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Older Adult Programs & Services

We recognize that older adults are true treasures, and we strive to create and maintain a community that values and celebrates them for their wisdom, contributions, and experiences. Our programs and services are an important outlet for our older adults, encouraging them to be social and stimulated.

Explore →

Family & Community Enrichment

Life can be challenging, and knowledge is power. The Jewish Family Service’s Family and Community Enrichment programs serve to empower, protect, and address the ever-changing needs of the entire Nashville community.

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Who We Are

Passionate providers of comprehensive social services, we are advocates, allies, educators, cheerleaders, and guides who create solutions to problems facing families and individuals of all ages.

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jfs-nashville-about-us-thumbnail-2024Our Staff

We are a team of experienced professionals dedicated to treating each person with compassion, care and dignity.

Meet the Team →

jfs-nashville-board-of-directors-thumbnail-2024Board of Directors

A group of people with different backgrounds and perspectives who come together to help Jewish Family Service fulfill its mission and expand its reach.

Meet Our Leadership Team →

Our Impact

We serve the people of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in many different ways. Here are a few of the human stories where JFS programs have made a tangible difference in people’s daily lives.




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Items That Tell a Story

We’ve compiled a selection of items that we use frequently at JFS – in some cases every day.

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Ways To Help

The number of ways in which you can help support individuals and families navigate life’s transitions are endless.

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Volunteer

Volunteers are a vital part of how we support our clients. Find opportunities to assist those in our community who need a helping hand.

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Make a Donation

Since our founding in 1853, the generous support of our community has made the work of Jewish Family Service possible.

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JFS Central

Press coverage about JFS Nashville's programing and services, learn about the history of the agency from our past newsletters, and enjoy reading original JFS content like our signature advice column, “Dear Esther.” Stay up to date with the impact we're making throughout our community.

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Events & Gatherings

Check out the full calendar of upcoming JFS Nashville events. From community education, support groups, and special engagements alike, find out where you can show up and get connected.

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Information & Referral Resources

Connect with our community partners. Our information and referral directory includes local and national resources that can provide additional support for addiction, mental health, and more.

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Mental Health Matters

Mental Health Matters is a JFS series that was designed to reduce the stigma of mental health issues by providing education, increasing awareness, and inclusivity. Check out our ongoing resources and past programming.

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Senior Services Directory

Need to know which pharmacies deliver? How to get a ride somewhere? Volunteer opportunities? The senior directory is the go-to resource for anything seniors might need related to the community.

Explore →

Contact Us

How can we help? Send us a message, give us a call, or find us on social media. We usually respond within 1-2 business days.

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