At JFS, working with older adults is not just a program area — it is a core mission. We are deeply committed to ensuring that older adults can live safely, independently, and with dignity in the community they call home.
As part of that commitment, JFS is a proud member of the MetroWest Alzheimer Partnership, a regional volunteer coalition of healthcare and human service providers dedicated to education, outreach, advocacy, and support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias — and for the families and caregivers who walk alongside them.
Through a collaborative partnership model in alliance with the Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter, members share resources, increase public awareness and understanding of dementia-related illnesses, and work to improve quality of care, access to community services, and support for critical research funding.
Caregiver Support: You Are Not Alone
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can be deeply meaningful — and incredibly challenging. JFS is proud to to share information about two professionally facilitated caregiver support groups, led by experienced social workers trained by the Alzheimer’s Association.
These groups create safe, confidential, and supportive environments where caregivers can:
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Share feelings, concerns, and experiences
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Develop informal mutual support and social connections
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Learn practical problem-solving strategies
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Gain education about dementia and caregiving skills
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Find moments of understanding — and even laughter
Support groups are offered on an ongoing basis, because caregiving is a journey that evolves over time.
In-Person Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group
Whitney Place at Natick
Maryann Cardani leads a monthly in-person Alzheimer’s Support Group at Whitney Place at Natick. This caregiver-focused group is designed for individuals currently caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
🗓 When: 4th Monday of each month (except September and May)
⏰ Time: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Whitney Place at Natick
🍪 Light refreshments are served
Sessions provide a welcoming and confidential setting where caregivers can share openly and receive professional guidance. Participants are encouraged to attend whenever they are able. Click here to download a flyer (PDF).
For more information or to join the group:
📞 508-875-3100 x170
📧 mcardani@jfsmw.org
Virtual Caregiver Support Group for Metrowest
For caregivers who prefer or need a remote option, JFS offers a virtual support group serving the Metrowest community.
🗓 When: 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month
⏰ Time: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
💻 Location: Online (Registration required)
🔗 Register here:
https://www.communityresourcefinder.org/ResourceView/Index?id=3843059
Co-Facilitators:
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Malka Young, LICSW, Director of Allies in Aging JFS Elder Care Solutions
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Jane Joiner, MD, JFS Elder Service Volunteer
Both facilitators were trained by the Alzheimer’s Association to lead caregiver support groups, ensuring participants receive knowledgeable, compassionate, and practical guidance.
This group offers the same confidential and supportive environment as the in-person group, while increasing accessibility for busy caregivers and those unable to travel.
Looking Ahead: Innovation in Dementia Care
Artificial Intelligence to Improve Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia
Real-World Use Cases & The BRAIN Study
🗓 Tuesday, April 28, 2026
⏰ 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 Ashland Senior Center
162 W Union Street, Upper Level
Ashland, MA
Speaker: Mike Skrajner, Director of Research and Innovation at Hopeful Aging
Mike Skrajner’s expertise focuses on psychosocial interventions for dementia and best practices for communicating with people living with cognitive decline. He will present on Hopeful Aging’s NIH-funded BRAIN Project, which uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized activity recommendations for individuals living with dementia.
This groundbreaking work is already being implemented in long-term care communities in the Boston area.
Attendees will learn:
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How AI-supported tools can enhance engagement and quality of life
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Real-world applications currently underway
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The evolving landscape of AI in dementia care
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What the future may hold for caregivers, professionals, and families
This event reflects the Partnership’s shared belief that innovation, education, and collaboration are essential to improving care and dignity for people living with dementia. Click here to download a flyer (PDF).
Our Commitment: Safety, Dignity, and Community
At JFS, we understand that aging brings both opportunities and challenges. Our work through caregiver support, professional consultation, community partnerships, and educational programming reflects a clear and consistent commitment:
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To support caregivers with compassion and expertise
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To empower older adults to remain safely in their homes and communities
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To provide resources that promote independence and dignity
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To ensure no family faces Alzheimer’s disease or dementia alone
By combining trusted social work leadership, community collaboration, and forward-thinking innovation, JFS continues to strengthen the safety net for older adults throughout Metrowest.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our support groups or upcoming programs, we encourage you to reach out. Together, we can build a community where older adults are respected, supported, and able to live with dignity at every stage of life.
Learn More:
- Memory Cafés – a welcoming, stigma-free spaces where individuals living with memory changes—and those who care for them—can gather for meaningful social engagement.
- Patient Navigators – trained volunteers who accompany older adults to their medical appointments
- Allies in Aging JFS Eldercare Solutions – comprehensive Geriatric Care Management services for older adults in the Metrowest area, staffed by experienced elder experts, many with advanced certifications in care management, case management, and dementia.