The Ocean County Board of Commissioners approved 24 contracts totaling more than $8 million to fund services for the county’s growing senior population.
The contracts, known as Area Plan contracts, will support 51 programs serving older adults and their caregivers across Ocean County. Officials said the funding is expected to provide more than 560,000 units of service to over 30,000 seniors and caregivers countywide.
According to county officials, the services will include approximately 92,000 home-delivered meals, more than 21,000 transportation rides, and over 2,000 hours of home repair services. The programs are designed to help older adults remain safe, independent and able to age in place.
Additional services funded through the contracts include congregate and home-delivered meals, caregiver support through the National Family Caregiver Support Program, adult protective services, legal assistance, transportation, residential maintenance, safe housing programs, and evidence-based health and chronic disease management programs. The funding also expands telephone reassurance services and wellness programs.
Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace, liaison to the Ocean County Office of Senior Services, said the contracts reflect the county’s commitment to supporting older residents.
County officials said the funding is part of ongoing efforts to address the needs of Ocean County’s expanding senior population and to help residents remain active, connected and secure in their communities.