OCEAN COUNTY – County officials said federal funding amounting to $432,500 will be used to support senior programs.
County Commissioner Director Barbara Jo Crea said the money will go toward services seniors need most, including transportation, home repair and modification, legal services and medical alert/caregiver services.
The funding will support nine different groups, including Community Services Inc. of Ocean County, the County’s major home delivered meals and nutrition site provider, Brick Township, Lakewood Community Services Corp., Community Medical Center, and Point Pleasant.
“We directed a large portion of the additional funds to the priorities identified and also provided more funds for socialization and recreational programs to get seniors out and about again,” she said. “Since Covid, depression and isolation continue to be a problem with seniors and to combat it, we have directed additional dollars for socialization and recreation programs.”
Having them socially engaged helps their physical and mental health, she added. There is also a growing demand for medical alert buttons to keep seniors safe in their homes. These are funded through the Caregiver Support dollars.
“The funding that allowed us to increase these contracts and in turn help more of our seniors comes from other counties that did not use all of the American Rescue Plan funds that were distributed by the federal government,” she said. “Ocean County was a beneficiary of this and is now distributing an additional $432,500 to increase some of our services.”
“Ocean County is home to one of the largest senior populations in the United States with more than 220,000 seniors living here,” she said. “Our office of Senior Services so far in 2024 has assisted nearly 10,000 clients and the total number of units of services provided is 14,413 so far this year. I am pleased that this Board is contributing to a better quality of life for so many of our seniors and we intend to continue to do so during the days ahead.”
“As a Board, we know it’s imperative we provide the funding needed for programs that help a high percentage of this population, who may be living solely on Social Security, to remain independent, with a secure roof over their heads, food on their table, the ability to access services and tap into recreational opportunities,” she added.
