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FROM telephone reassurance services to assistance in paying for household utilities, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners approved 23 contracts to provide services for the County's growing senior population during its Jan. 15 Board meeting.
"Supporting our seniors, providing them with essential services, opportunities for engagement and the dignity they deserve in their golden years is a priority this Board of Commissioners is committed to," said Ocean County Commissioner Robert S. Arace, chairman of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services. "These services will help make a difference for many of our seniors allowing them to live independently."
The Board of Commissioners at its Jan. 15 meeting approved contracts for 51 programs geared toward the County's growing senior population.
"Ocean County is a premier County for retirees," Arace said, noting more than 200,000 seniors live in the County.
The Board approved key contracts for the County's home delivered meals program during its December 18 meeting.
Those contracts are expected to provide 21,128 congregate meals to 910 clients and more than 360,000 home delivered meals.
"Home delivered meals are known to provide more than just a meal to our seniors," Arace said. "This program is a lifeline for many frail and homebound seniors. It guarantees a wellness check when that meal is brought to the door. That kind of assistance is priceless for our seniors and their caregivers."
Two additional congregate meal sites are expected to open in 2025 one in Lakewood Township and the other in Manchester Township.
"Manchester Township has the largest percentage of seniors 85-years old and over in Ocean County," said Arace, who served as Mayor of Manchester Township.
Other services include legal assistance through the Community Health Law Project; expanded transportation services to Social Adult Day Care, expanded senior transportation, and emergency services provided through St. Vincent De Paul and Compass 82 to assist with utility payments, rent arrearages and other emergency services.
In addition, telephone reassurance services will be expanded as well as evidenced based programs that focus on wellness, physical health and quality of life.
"All totaled, we anticipate more than 50,000 seniors will access these services this year," Arace said. "It's our goal to make certain our seniors can get the assistance they need when they need it. The Ocean County Office of Senior Services is here to help our seniors navigate the programs and services available."
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