Generations Counseling & Care Management

(201) 845-7030

Laura Huisking

Team Spotlight: Melanie

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Meet our newest Care Manager, Melanie! Melanie is a Registered Nurse who brings 30 years of Healthcare experience to The Generations Team, having held numerous positions within the industry spanning from patient advocacy and care management to leadership roles at prominent assisted living facilities. After starting as a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Barnert Hospital, Melanie ultimately found her passion in geriatric care and has spent the bulk of her career with brand name institutions including Sunrise Assisted Living, Grace Healthcare Services, and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. Melanie’s patient-first, compassionate approach has helped countless individuals and their families through uncertain times, all while providing a comforting and personal touch throughout the process. She is a mother of three boys, loves running, and works with challenged athletes as a volunteer for Achilles International in spare time.

“I went into case management because of my innate strengths and abilities of compassion, empathy and patience for my clients. My passion is all about caring and being an advocate for the geriatric and disabled population.” -Melanie

Walk Kick Off Party: August 29th

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At Generations, we believe in giving back to essential causes that affect our local New Jersey Community. Alzheimer’s New Jersey is an organization that helps New Jersey caregivers and their loved ones with a dementia related disease through support groups, educational programs and financial grants.

We are proud to co-sponsor this year’s Walk Kick Off Event on 8/29 from 4-6:00pm at Allendale Senior Living. Join us for networking, cocktails and appetizers- all while learning about the important work Alzheimer’s New Jersey is doing for the local New Jersey community- including their Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s at Bergen Community College. You can RSVP to Anthony at 551-315-2094 or Laura at lhuisking@generations-llc.com.

Family owned and operated for over 35 years, Generations Counseling & Care Management, LLC is a full-service geriatric care management firm that provides care management, advocacy, and psychotherapy services with an integrated, professional, client-centered approach to the needs of the elderly, persons with disabilities, their families, and the caregiving community. Our expert staff are available 24/7 and offer a wide range of services that cover all aspects of elder care including: care management, counseling, psychotherapy, elder care planning, transitional service to senior communities & nursing facilities, services for disabled individuals, benefits counseling, assessments, financial services and management, moving and relocation coordination and much more. If you need more information on our services, please call our office at 201-845-7030.

When do I Call a Geriatric Care Manager?

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Every family is different, and care managers are able to devote 100% attention to their clients. We help families examine each unique situation and provide expert guidance about developing the best approach. But when is the best time to call in professional help?

When you or someone you know:

  • Has a limited support system
  • Needs support and resources to maintain independence
  • Is stressed by the caregiver role
  • Has multiple diagnoses/difficult situations that complicate decision-making and care coordination.
  • Requires a “road map” after a new diagnosis or hospitalization
  • Has family who can not reach consensus, needs information and objectivity
  • Struggles with balancing safety and independence issues
  • Needs consistent, unbiased accurate communications
  • Requires supervision and on-going training of existing care providers
  • Requires a comprehensive professional assessment
  • Wants the best care for the loved one but doesn’t know where to start
  • Notices a change in the person, perhaps indicating a need for intervention
  • Lives out of state but needs a consistent advocate for a loved one

A care manager can help the family navigate through any of these instances, while keeping their goals and needs front of mind.

Family owned and operated for over 35 years, Generations Counseling & Care Management, LLC is a full-service geriatric care management firm that provides care management, advocacy, and psychotherapy services with an integrated, professional, client-centered approach to the needs of the elderly, persons with disabilities, their families, and the caregiving community. Our expert staff are available 24/7 and offer a wide range of services that cover all aspects of elder care including: care management, counseling, psychotherapy, elder care planning, transitional service to senior communities & nursing facilities, services for disabled individuals, benefits counseling, assessments, financial services and management, moving and relocation coordination and much more. If you need more information on our services, please call our office at 201-845-7030. 

Pride Month

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June is Pride Month. There are roughly 3 million LGBTQ+ seniors in North America. According to SAGE, an advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ older adults, that number will grow to more than 7 million by 2030. They often have higher incidences of isolation, depression, substance abuse, and HIV. That’s why it’s important for us to continue to create more services, resources, and safe spaces for them.

In June, Aging Life Care Professionals- including the staff at Generations- are celebrating and honoring LGBTQ+ elders. Our hope is that they feel seen, heard, and valued. Understanding the unique needs of LGBTQ+ elders are essential to creating care plans that support and enhance their individual lifestyles. If you would like to learn more about the challenges they face, check out the Aging Life Care Association’s blog on LGBTQ seniors. At Generations, we are happy to advocate that their dreams for aging well matter!

Family owned and operated for over 35 years, Generations Counseling & Care Management, LLC is a full-service geriatric care management firm that provides care management, advocacy, and psychotherapy services with an integrated, professional, client-centered approach to the needs of the elderly, persons with disabilities, their families, and the caregiving community. Our expert staff are available 24/7 and offer a wide range of services that cover all aspects of elder care including: care management, counseling, psychotherapy, elder care planning, transitional service to senior communities & nursing facilities, services for disabled individuals, benefits counseling, assessments, financial services and management, moving and relocation coordination and much more. If you need more information on our services, please call our office at 201-845-7030. We service New Jersey and New York.

Franklin Lakes Health Fair

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Today we participated in a health fair, organized by the Senior Resource Group of NJ (SRG) at Horizons at Franklin Lakes Apartment Homes. There was Samba provided by Arbor Ridge in Wayne, delicious home made tacos by Chefs on the Go NJ and plenty of wonderful health care resources and giveaways by the rest of the SRG members. Partnering with like-minded healthcare resources to bring those resources to our local Northern New Jersey community has always been a priority for us. It is even better when our residents have fun!

Family owned and operated for over 35 years, Generations Counseling & Care Management, LLC is a full-service geriatric care management firm that provides care management, advocacy, and psychotherapy services with an integrated, professional, client-centered approach to the needs of the elderly, persons with disabilities, their families, and the caregiving community. Our expert staff are available 24/7 and offer a wide range of services that cover all aspects of elder care including: care management, counseling, psychotherapy, elder care planning, transitional service to senior communities & nursing facilities, services for disabled individuals, benefits counseling, assessments, financial services and management, moving and relocation coordination and much more. If you need more information on our services, please call our office at 201-845-7030. 

Navigating Healthcare for Veterans

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Generations is co-sponsoring a CEU called Navigating Healthcare for Veterans with Sunrise Senior Living, Privatus Care, Complete Care and Veteran Care Services. This is an approved CEU class for CALA, LNHA, Social Workers, Case Managers and Nurses. 

When: April 25th 5:00- 7:00pm
Where: Prospect Heights
336 Prospect Avenue in Hackensack, NJ

Dinner will be served. Space is limited so please RSVP to Mary Ann McBride at maryann.mcbride@privatuscare.com or Laura Marie Huisking at lhuisking@generations-llc.com.

National Social Work Month

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“I grew up around my grandparents and great grandmother, so being around older adults literally feels like home to me. I’ve been working with seniors, lifting their spirits, all my life in a way.”
-Vicki Sherman Doueck, MSW, LCSW, ASWCM, and President/CEO of Generations Counseling & Care Management, LLC.

March is Social Work Month and as it draws to a close, we thought we would highlight our Care Management staff. It takes a special person to become a social worker. Not only do they assess the needs, circumstances, and support systems of clients but they often intervene and advocate in crisis situations involving deteriorating physical conditions, mental health emergencies, or trauma. We are lucky to have such an amazing team of social workers, who fight for our clients day in and day out.

We asked each of our social workers to share a little bit about why they do what they do and what they like about their job.

“I cant remember why I became a social worker…but I know HOW. One of the first things we are taught is start where the client is. This is a lesson that I continue to practice daily and is what I LOVE about what I do. In the 25 years I have been a social worker, I have continued to learn from the people and communities I work with. Whether it is through helping them access resources, providing emotional support, enabling areas of independence, supporting the families caring for them, or helping to make necessary modifications and adjustments for a life transition, celebrating my clients successes-no matter what those successes are- is the best part of my job.”
~ Stacey Padva Maines
“I’ve worked at Generations for the last seven years and being a care manager has been a whole new experience for me. My clients and their needs are very diverse. Where I see my clients (home, hospital, facility, housing authority…) is also very diverse. When I get a new client, it is not always black and white on what they need and it takes using my social work skills to figure out how to help my client best. One day can be quiet for me and the next day one of my clients may be in crisis. One day is not like the rest. Working as a care manager keeps me on my toes but I still feel the same satisfaction of helping others.” ~ Alison
“While there are many things I like about being a care manager, my favorite thing is the role I play as an advocate for my clients. Advocacy is such an important skill in the profession of social work, and a primary reason I became a social worker. My role in advocacy looks different depending on my client and the circumstances they are navigating. Advocacy involves assessing, listening and working with my clients to understand their goals and then help them attain them. Sometimes I’m collaborating with my client and enabling them to speak up. Other times I am the voice for my client. Either way, advocacy plays an important role in ensuring my clients receive the care and services they need.” ~ Amy
“I have always known that when it was time to pursue a career it would be one in which I dedicated myself to helping others. I am so grateful that my journey in Social Work has taken me to Care Management. My favorite part of it all is building relationships with clients and their support systems, as well as being able to make a positive impact on another’s life (however small it may seem). I am challenged everyday and am grateful to work with care managers who are so knowledgeable and supportive. I am proud to be a Social Worker and to set an example to my children that helping others will bring value to their lives and the lives of others.”
~ Katherine

Family owned and operated for over 35 years, Generations Counseling & Care Management, LLC is a full-service geriatric care management firm that provides care management, advocacy, and psychotherapy services with an integrated, professional, client-centered approach to the needs of the elderly, persons with disabilities, their families, and the caregiving community. Our expert staff are available 24/7 and offer a wide range of services that cover all aspects of elder care including: care management, counseling, psychotherapy, elder care planning, transitional service to senior communities & nursing facilities, services for disabled individuals, benefits counseling, assessments, financial services and management, moving and relocation coordination and much more. If you need more information on our services, please call our office at 201-845-7030. We service New Jersey and New York.

Drive by Networking for a Cause

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We are thrilled to be a part of the Women in Senior Care: Bergen County chapter. This group’s mission is to not only educate seniors and their families about healthcare resources but it’s also to lend their support to philanthropic endeavors that make our New Jersey community a better place to live.

Sip on some cider & network with the Women in Senior Care: Bergen County- for a cause! Please bring a ShopRite, Stop N’ Shop, or visa gift card to donate. If you can’t make the event, send Laura Huisking, lhuisking@generations-llc.com, an email about drop off information. There are two drive by locations for this event:

SUNRISE AT CRESSKILL

3 Tenakill Park Drive East, Cresskill

SUNRISE OF FRANKLIN LAKES

728 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Lakes

For Cresskill, please RSVP to Pat at cresskill.dos@sunriseseniorliving.com and for Franklin Lakes, please RSVP to Maureen at maureen.sandler@sunriseseniorliving.com.  

All gift card donations will go to seniors in need, distributed by the Northwest Senior Center and the Tenafly Senior Center in Bergen County, New Jersey.