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$250,000 Directed To Agencies Providing Services To Senior Citizens
TOMS RIVER - Caregiver agencies and hospitals will receive $250,000 from the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders to help pay for programs geared at helping senior citizens.
The board of freeholders approved contracts with a host of agencies that will provide services to the county's senior population.
"These are ongoing programs that have helped make a difference in the lives of many of our senior residents," said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari. "It is so important we help provide our seniors with programs that help them sustain a positive quality of life."
Under the contracts, interfaith caregiver programs will receive money to assist frail and disabled seniors in their homes.
Those awards include $50,000 to Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey which includes Caregivers of Central Ocean County and Caregivers of Lakewood serving all of Central, Western and Northern Ocean County and $20,000 for its multi-cultural outreach program and $25,000 for the Northeastern Expansion.
Interfaith Health and Support Services of Southern Ocean County will receive $25,000.
Among the services provided by the interfaith caregiver agencies are: volunteer medical transportation, friendly visits, assisting the elderly with shopping and everyday household chores.
"Since Ocean County has, not only, a high number of individuals 60 and over, but also, a significant number of residents 80 years old and over, it is critical that we plan and provide services for all stages of aging," Vicari said.
Four hospitals will receive funds for community support programs for seniors.
"This money will fund health screenings and education to assist older adults to maintain an optimal health status for as long as possible," said Freeholder John P. Kelly.
Hospitals receiving $30,000 grants include Community Medical Center, Kimball Medical Center and Meridian Hospital System for health screening and education and $40,000 to Southern Ocean County Hospital for health screening and education and an evidencebased physical fitness program.
Vicari added that all of these programs play a vital role in keeping seniors active and in their homes.
"Nobody wants to go to a nursing home," Vicari said. "These county dollars help seniors remain independent in their own homes while still receiving the care and health screenings they require."
These contracts are in addition to the more than $4.7 million in county, state and federal funds that the freeholders awarded for various senior programs since the beginning of 2007. Those contracts included meals on wheels, transportation services, educational programs, caregiver counseling, benefits screenings and home health care.
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