Helene's Story

Helene is an 80 year old Holocaust survivor living in Parsippany. She was in several concentration camps as a child after her parents were murdered for hiding Jewish families. She still has facial scars from beating by Nazi soldiers. Helene came to the US as a young adult and worked at several jobs. She met her husband, and they married and had two children, who both joined the military. A few years ago, Helene was faced with new nightmares. Her husband had a heart attack and went into a coma. Shortly thereafter, Helene’s daughter died suddenly in her Midwest home. Helene’s husband remained in a coma for 18 months and then passed away. Helene’s son left the military and came home to live with his mother. He helped Helene to maintain the house and with her finances. Helene depended on his help and was comforted by his presence. One day while Helene’s son went to visit a friend in a military hospital, Helene received a call stating that he had been murdered. Helene, now alone after three tragic losses, was referred to Family Service Morris County’s Senior Collaboration and Intensive Geriatric Case Management Program by Hope House, a member of the FSMC Advisory Committee. Hope House’s Operation Fix-It Program was receiving frequent calls from Helene, who was reaching out for help beyond their realm. They believed that the FSMC Intensive Geriatric Case Management Program could assist Helene. Two Case Managers visited Helene. Initially, Helene was apprehensive about accepting help, but gradually, the case managers were able to gain Helene’s trust. By accompanying Helene to a doctor’s visit, her case manager learned that Helene had missed appointments and important tests in the past. Helene’s doctor was extremely pleased that Helene had someone to oversee her appointment schedule, and even came along with her to the visit. The case manager was also able to direct Helene to a source that helped provided credit counseling, since Helene was unable to manage her finances on her own. Additionally, the case manager reached out to the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance, another Advisory Committee Member, to assist Helene with her energy bills. Helene’s emotional needs were also met, through the Case Manager working with yet another Advisory Committee Member, New Bridge Services, who provided in home counseling. This was required since Helene was not able to participate in outside group sessions. Through the assistance of Family Service Morris County’s Intensive Geriatric Case Management Program and several member companies of the Advisory Committee, Helene is able to maintain independent living in her own home.

The FSMC Senior Collaboration and Intensive Geriatric Case Management Program is funded in partnership with The Grotta Fund for Senior Care and the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey.