TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has approved 24 contracts totaling more than $8 million to expand services for the county’s growing senior population, officials announced following the board’s recent meeting.
The agreements fund 51 programs under the county’s Area Plan for Aging and are expected to provide more than 560,000 units of service to over 30,000 older adults and caregivers across Ocean County.
Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace, liaison to the Ocean County Office of Senior Services, said the contracts are designed to help residents remain independent and supported as they age.
“Ocean County is committed to ensuring seniors can age with dignity and security,” Arace said. “These programs are about meeting people where they are and making sure essential services are accessible throughout the county.”
According to county officials, the funding will support an estimated 92,000 home-delivered meals, more than 21,000 transportation trips and over 2,000 hours of residential maintenance and home repair services. The programs are aimed at helping older adults safely remain in their homes while maintaining their health and independence.
The contracts also cover a broad range of additional services, including social support programs; congregate and home-delivered meals, including weekend and holiday meals; caregiver assistance through the National Family Caregiver Support Program; adult protective services; legal assistance; safe housing and transportation initiatives; and evidence-based health promotion and chronic disease management programs. Expanded telephone reassurance services are also included.
“With this investment, we are delivering measurable help — from meals and transportation to caregiver support and home safety,” Arace said.
County officials said the contracts are part of an ongoing effort to address the needs of Ocean County’s expanding senior population and to promote aging in place by providing consistent, countywide access to critical services.
