Ed Boutwell: Accepting Help to Stay Independent

“I had no idea what a huge difference CJFS would make in my life,” says Ed Boutwell with a smile and a thumbs up. “I love Amy and Jazz and I believe they would do anything for me!”

Ed became a CJFS client just before COVID hit. Referred by Episcopal Place, his senior living community, Ed was having trouble keeping up with his medications, and though he keeps a neat apartment, certain chores like cleaning the floors and bathroom were becoming harder. His CJFS team — Social Worker Amy Neiman and Personal Care Attendant Jasmine Gilchrist — enabled Ed to take better care of himself so he could stay living independently in his apartment. They immediately put the resources into place that Ed needed to stay healthy and safe.

Amy found Ed a geriatric internist who worked with them to understand his medications and when to take them. Not only did Amy attend the doctor appointments and take notes, she reminded Ed of the doctor’s instructions and became a liaison for Ed’s family.

Jasmine, or Jazz as Ed calls her, began coming two hours per week for cleaning. “It was a relief. I am a neat person and so doing the dishes after I use them was not a big deal; but bending over to clean the shower or change my sheets was not so easy” Ed shared. Soon, he realized that by accepting Jazz’s help with laundry and housekeeping, he would be safer and could continue to live on his own.

Most importantly, even during the early weeks of the pandemic, when CJFS was not providing face-to-face service, Amy and Jazz checked on Ed regularly, making sure he had food to eat and his prescriptions were filled. Having someone to talk to during those lonely days made all the difference to Ed. “I can’t really put it into words, but it meant the world to me. It still does. I don’t know what I would do without Amy, Jazz and CJFS.”

You can hear Ed tell his story at Hands Up Together 2021 on Thursday, May 13, CLICK HERE buy your ticket.