Programs and Services

The hallmark of JCHE senior housing is the access that residents have to an extensive array of programs and services designed to enhance and facilitate healthy aging.

Resident Services Coordination – JCHE's Resident Services Coordinators are available at each of our locations to assist residents when added support is needed. In addition to linking residents to JCHE services, the coordinators work closely with many community partners to assess residents' needs and help them access appropriate services. To most effectively accommodate residents' needs, JCHE's Resident Services team includes staff who are fluent in Russian, Mandarin and Cantonese.

CaringChoices™ -- As needs increase, JCHE offers the CaringChoices™ program to enable residents to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own JCHE apartments.  The services vary slightly at various locations.  Residents of Ulin House, Leventhal House and Genesis House in Brighton can participate in the Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) for a daily lunch, medical escorting and Housecalls.  The assistance available through Housecalls includes personal care, medication reminders and light housekeeping.  There is a modest fee for each service.

For those residents of Coleman House and Golda Meir House who receive in-home services through the Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), CaringChoices can provide subsides on a sliding fee scale basis when their needs for the services exceeds their eligibility.  The CaringChoices program at Shillman House will provide similar assistance.   

Fitness and Wellness Program – JCHE's Fitness and Wellness Program demonstrates a commitment to helping residents lead healthy and active lives. Residents have extensive opportunities to enjoy activities in settings that promote physical health and social connections. Each of JCHE’s sites has a fitness center with senior-friendly exercise equipment where fitness staff, including bilingual staff, provide personalized instruction. Each building offers numerous onsite exercise classes, such as chair aerobics, expressive movement, Tai Chi, and yoga. Understanding the risks that seniors face by falling, JCHE has an integrated falls prevention program.  It combines strength and balance exercises with assistance from JCHE's maintenance department to help residents reduce the occurrence of falls in their apartments. JCHE is involved in important collaborative partnerships, working extensively with Tufts University's School of Occupational Therapy and Northeastern University's Department of Physical Therapy, to engage in research to understand the specific needs of seniors.

24/7 Onsite Management – All JCHE buildings have one or two staff members who live onsite and are on-call for emergency situations. Residents experience a high level of security knowing that assistance is available at all hours when facing a medical or maintenance problem.   In addition, each apartment unit is equipped with an emergency response system so that residents can indicate that help is needed.

Generations Together – JCHE offers extensive intergenerational programming so that residents and young people, ranging in age from preschoolers to college students, can develop relationships that are mutually beneficial. Each academic year, JCHE offers multiple programs that provide meaningful opportunities for generations can spend time together teaching, learning and sharing life experiences. Partners for the intergenerational programs include Harvard School of Medicine, Tufts Medical School and Brandeis University. In 2006, JCHE's Generations Together program received the prestigious RespectAbility Award from the National Council on Aging for an Exemplary Program.

Educational, Social, and Cultural Programs – Each of JCHE's buildings is frequently the site for concerts, dances, movies, entertainers, and holiday celebrations. Tenants at each location are involved in planning these special events, which have included ballroom dancing, jazz and Klezmer concerts, Chinese Moon Festivals, multi-lingual Passover Seders, and choral groups. In response to residents' desire for life long learning opportunties, the buildings offer lectures, concerts, book discussion groups, and classes on a wide range of subjects.

Transportation – JCHE’s wheelchair-accessible transportation makes it easy for residents in all buildings to travel to purchase groceries and other necessities.  Trips to area museums and cultural spots enable residents to continue to be engaged in their communities even when they are no longer able to drive their own cars.

Club Genesis Adult Day Health Program – Residents at JCHE’s Brighton buildings who need extra support during the week have an excellent resource close at hand. Club Genesis Adult Day Health Program, located on the first floor of Genesis House, provides a supportive, stimulating, and social environment for older adults who have memory loss and other serious conditions. Club Genesis, open five days each week, has Russian/English bilingual staff. Residents can pay for this program privately or, if they are financially eligible, Medicaid will cover the costs.

Computer Centers – JCHE’s computer centers are a magnet for active minds. Every JCHE site has a center that offers individualized instruction. Residents use the centers extensively to e-mail friends and family, remain current with events around the globe, play a variety of games, research health information, and write memoirs. All of JCHE’s computers accommodate both English and Russian languages, and our Brighton housing also has software in Chinese.

Tenant Councils -- Tenant Councils at all sites are actively involved in shaping and improving their environment. They often help plan special events at the buildings. They effectively alert staff to ways to make the buildings safer and more comfortable. The Councils are also organize charitable activities to raise funds for various community organizations, both locally, nationally and abroad.

Convenience Stores – Each JCHE location has a small on-site convenience store that sells groceries and household goods.

Outdoor Space – The grounds at each of JCHE’s locations are well maintained and park-like, with walking paths and benches. The space is used extensively by residents throughout the year for exercise, gardening, visiting with friends and family, enjoying a good book, and practicing Tai Chi.

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JCHE relies on generous contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations to fund many of the programs and services. (Giving Opportunities)