By Cindy Mindell

FAIRFIELD – To coincide with its 40th anniversary year, the Jewish Home for the Elderly in Fairfield announced a new name this week.

“Jewish Senior Services” was chosen to better reflect the full range of service offerings,” said the agency’s president and CEO Andrew H. Banoff at the event held at the agency’s facility in Fairfield. “Our service to the community has really expanded,” he says. “We serve hundreds of people in our facility and thousands of people throughout the community. It’s the expansion of that mission that led us to decide to expand the name: providing service to people regardless of where they live. The name ‘Jewish Senior Services’ reflects that we are much more than a nursing home. Providing the best healthcare for seniors – wherever and whenever they need our services – remains our top priority.”

At the event announcing the Jewish Senior Services name change were: (l to r) Kim Fawcett, State Representative, Fairfield; Bill Finch, mayor of Bridgeport; Mike Tetreau, Fairfield First Selectman; Brenda Kupchick, State Representative, Fairfield and Southport; and Andrew H. Banoff, president and CEO, Jewish Senior Services

As part of its 40th-anniversary celebration, Jewish Senior Services has partnered with The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Westport to sponsor the Sunday Celebration Series, and with the Friends of Israel Scouts Tzofim Friendship Caravan to sponsor several events in Fairfield and New Haven Counties this summer.

Jewish Senior Services provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home care, hospice, and many other support services in their two locations in Fairfield, and in clients’ homes throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties.

“Service to those in our community who need help is what our Judeo-Christian ethic calls us to do, and The Jewish Home has been a shining light on the side of the hill in treating our parents with dignity as they age,” says Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. “When you’re in public life, you’re in public service, and government can’t possibly do anything on its own. We find partners in the private and not-for-profit sectors to work with us. Jewish Senior Services has created an effective communal network of services and we’re really pleased to have it in the state and locally.”

Banoff points to the demographic trends over the next 40 years that will create an expanded need for a model like JSS.  “We treat people who are 75 and older. In 2021, Baby Boomers start turning 75, and between 2020 and 2050, the need for skilled nursing and other senior services will skyrocket. We have tried to build a system designed to help people, regardless of what level of help is necessary and available.”

Comments? Cindym@jewishledger.com.