def #6a 01/20/10
OCEAN COUNTY SENIOR PROGRAMS RENEWED FOR THE NEW YEAR
TOMS RIVER – Noting the unique needs of Ocean County’s senior population, the Board of Freeholders today awarded 37
contracts covering a wide array of programs and services for residents 60 and up.
“There is not just one program that covers the needs of all of our seniors,” noted Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves
as chairman of Senior Services. “Our services need to be as unique and varied as the population itself.”
Services ranging from outreach to the homebound elderly to volunteer friendly visitors, telephone reassurances, health
screening and education are all included in the contracts scheduled to be approved by the Board during its Jan. 20 meeting.
The contracts total more than $2.3 million.
“More than a quarter of Ocean County’s population is over the age of 60, including more than 75,000 people aged 75 and
older,” said Vicari. “Providing beneficial programs and services for the older adult population continues to be a priority
for the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.”
Vicari noted the Ocean County Office of Senior Services serves as a clearinghouse, teaming up seniors with programs
that can help make a difference in their daily lives.
Ocean County’s senior programs and services need to be varied due to the unique needs of the 60 plus population. Ocean
County leads the state with the highest population of 75 and older and 85 and older age groups.
“The Office of Senior Services will oversee a total of 53 contracts with 22 governmental and non-profit agencies in 2010
totaling over $5.3 million,” Vicari said. “More than 543,664 units of service will be provided to over 36,900 persons
in 2010.”
A key component to the county’s services to seniors is the extensive meal program that is offered. The Board of
Freeholders recently awarded contracts to Community Services Inc. to continue to provide this program.
“Over 80,000 congregate meals will be served in 2010” said D. Jane Maloney, the director of the Office of Senior Services.
“In addition, 247,344 home delivered meals will be served. Today’s contracts include the Kosher Home Delivered Meals
Program.
“Recent nutrition screening surveys of home delivered meals clients show that 60 percent of the clients are at a high
nutritional risk and 34 percent are at a moderate nutritional risk,” she said. “These meals are often a lifeline for the
frail and disabled senior bringing not only a nutritional value but also a social contact.”
Other support areas include transportation, legal services, caregiver services, care management, benefits screening, chore
services and a host of others.
Access to information and assistance is a major focus for the Office of Senior Services, Maloney said.
“Our seniors need to know they can come to us and we can match them up with the appropriate services,” Maloney said. For
further information regarding services call Office of Senior Services at 732-929-2091 or 1-800-668-4899.
