Paulette
Drogon
Senior Citizen Coordinator
There are many and varied services
available to Senior Citizens in Mountainside. Most of the programs are county
or statewide and not limited to Mountainside residents. In
Click on the following for more
information:
When
are you a Senior Citizen?
Social Security
Health
Related Services
Social Day Care
Home Health Care
Medical
Day Care & Alzheimer’s Care
Nutrition
Transportation
Energy Assistance
Taxes
Legal Assistance
Education
Volunteer Work
Recreation
Housing
Handyman Program
Miscellaneous
When are you a Senior Citizen?
There is no set age when a person becomes a "senior citizen." The
age requirements for federal and state programs and entitlements are
established by legislative action.
You are eligible...
at 60 for:
at 62 for:
65 for:
at 70 for:
Thinking about retirement?
To find out how much you will be receiving in benefits,
request a copy of Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement from Social
Security. 1-800-772-1213.
Social Security benefits are reduced if earnings exceed:
Under age 65 = $9,600
Age 65 through 69 = $15,500
MEDICARE is a federal health insurance program for
citizens 65 and older. It has two parts: Part A (hospital) and Part B
(medical). To assure coverage, please apply three months before your birthday.
1-800-772-1213
MEDICAID is a program to assist the low income blind,
disabled, and elderly with their medical expenses. There are many different
programs available such as Community Care for the Elderly & Disabled Jersey
Care. Help is also available for persons remaining in the community as well as
in nursing homes. Eligibility varies depending on the specific program.
965-2700 (
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) provides minimum
income and Medicaid benefits to the aged (65), blind, and disabled. Call
1-800-772-1213 for details.
PAAD provides prescription drugs for eligible persons for
a fee of $5/prescription. To be eligible, you must be a legal resident of NJ,
65 years or older, and have an annual gross income of less than $18,151
(single) and $22,256 (couple), or be receiving Social Security disability
payments. 1-800-792-9745
COUNSELING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR MEDICARE ENROLLEES
(CHIME) Trained volunteers will assist seniors and the
disabled receiving Medicare to understand responses from insurance carriers and
evaluate specific health needs. No fee. 497-3948
MEDICAL COURTESY PROGRAM persons with PAAD eligibility
may register with the Senior Citizens Council who will provide them with the
names of physicians who accept Medicare assignment. 964-7555
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC is held the second Tuesday of
the month from September to June at Borough Hall from 9:30-10:30 am. 232-4406
SENIOR HEALTH wellness program for
people 50 and over. Offers health talks, screenings,
support groups, walking programs, social events, trips, and discounts.
964-0444
DENTAL HYGIENE the UMDNJ has opened a clinic on the
Scotch Plains campus of
COMPREHENSIVE & ROUTINE DENTAL SERVICES as well as
full and partial dentures are available at
DENTAL CARE PROGRAM - by filing an application with the
Senior Citizen Council, dental care will be given at a reduced fee. Eligibility
is the same as PAAD except ages 60 & up. Call 964-7555.
HEARING AID ASSISTANCE TO THE AGED & DISABLED
provides a $100 reimbursement toward the purchase of a hearing aid. Same eligibility as PAAD. In addition, you will need a
physician’s prescription and a receipt for the recent purchase of a hearing
aid. Call 1-800-792-9745 or 232-4406.
THE NJ COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED
provides education, rehabilitative, social, and medical services and conducts
eye screening programs for the visually impaired. Call 1-800-962-1233.
NJ LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED offers over
30,000 recorded books as well as cassette players. Both available free of
charge. Delivery by postage free mail. Service
provided for the visually handicapped as well as the physically impaired who
are unable to hold a book. Call 1-800-792-8322.
AREA HOSPITALS provide free screenings and educational
lectures throughout the year. Information can be obtained by calling the
hospitals directly.
HYACINTH FOUNDATION: free, anonymous, and confidential
HIV testing and counseling. Call 755-0021 (local callers) or 1-800-433-0254.
Mountainside Public Library: LARGE PRINT books and books on tape. New titles every three months. Call 233-0115.
Telecommunications:
The Bell System has a wide variety of aids and services
available to help those with hearing, sight, speech, or motion impairments.
Consult the Customers Guide pages in the front of your telephone directory.
E.I.E.S. (Electronic Information & Education
Service): closed circuit network which reads aloud current newspapers,
magazines, and novels. Special transmitter provided free. A donation is
requested. Call for application. Call 973-762-0552.
Audiovision: provides same
reading services for
SOCIAL DAY CARE, HOME HEALTH CARE, AND MEDICAL/DEMENTIA CARE:
A fee is charged for these services. HOWEVER, sliding scale fees and grant
funding are available for they financially disadvantaged.
SOCIAL DAY CARE
Social adult day care programs are designed to provide socialization and
therapeutic activities to those in reasonably good physical and mental
health.
Home Health Care provides visiting nurses and/or home
health aides, etc. at your residence.
Jewish Family Service of
Atlantic Home Care (
SAGE, 273-8400 (north side of Route 22 only)
Visiting Home Care, 709 0530
Visiting Nurse and Health Services, Housekeeping grant available, 233-3113
Visiting Nurse and Health Services, also provides psychiatric home care
352-5694
Medical Day Care & Alzheimer's Care
SAGE,
HOSPICE CARE
Hospice programs provide home health care, patient and
family counseling and bereavement seminars for the terminally ill and their
families.
Center for Hope: home hospice care. There is also an in-house hospice
located in
Visiting Nurse & Health Services, 352-5694
A;tantic Hospice Care (
ALZHEIMER’S INFORMATION
Copsa Institute for Alzheimer’s
Disease and Related Disorders at the
Alzheimer’s Association - Northern NJ Chapter provides
services to patients and their families including respite assistance for
caregivers. They also sponsor SAFE RETURNS, a program which provides ID for the
patient, including a 24 hour number to call when someone is lost or found.
(973) 316-8108 or 1-800-272-3900
Mobile Meals: home delivered hot and cold meals for the
sick and elderly five days a week. A fee is charged. 233-6146
Meals on Wheels: home delivered meals five days a week.
North of Route 22, call 273-5554. South of Route 22, call 486-5100
Nutrition sites: there are 26 sites (2 kosher) in
Free Transportation for the elderly (60 & up) and
anyone with a physical or mental disability is available weekdays for
non-emergency medical appointments. Friday morning shopping in the
Reduced fare program: ride public transportation at half
fare during non-rush hours & weekends. Personage 62 &
over are eligible for the program on INTERSTATE buses & trains.
People over 65 may use their Medicare card. People ages
62-65 must apply for an ID card available at the Borough Hall from Lisa
Cassidy. 232-4406
LIFELINE provides a total credit of $225 for gas &
electric bills each heating season for eligible seniors. This credit is
available to both homeowners and tenants. Same eligibility as
PAAD. 1-800-792-9745
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) provides a one-time
payment each heating season for eligible low income households. Payment is
available to owners as well as renters who pay for heat as a part of their
rent.
Help for cooling your home is also available (physician’s
authorization needed). 232-4406
IRS: forms and information about filing your tax return
are available by calling 1-800-829-1040. Tax forms are also available at the
Public Library.
Property Tax Deduction: to qualify for the $250
deduction, you must be 65 years of age and have a gross yearly income of
$10,000 or less excluding Social Security. Gross income includes you and your
spouse. 232-4406
Veterans Tax Deduction: eligible persons are now able to
claim property tax deductions both as senior citizens and veterans. The veterans deduction is $50. 232-4406
Union County Surrogate Ann Conti is available to answer
questions about wills and other related matters. 527-4280
The Legal Referral Program provides assistance with
estate planning, wills, and nursing home finances. PAAD eligibility guidelines
must be met to take advantage of this program. 964-7555
Union County Legal Aid provides counseling and advice. It
is available Wednesday only from 12 noon to 3 p.m. 527-4769
Union County Legal Services provides attorneys to advise
and represent clients in civil manners, including Social Security issues and
benefits under Medicare/Medicaid. Financial eligibility.
No fee for senior citizens. 354-4340
The
The college also offers free courses to seniors
throughout
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County
provides information and educational programs to county residents. A quarterly
newspaper is available which lists the courses. Call for a copy. 654-9854
Regional adult education courses are offered at our three
regional high schools. $20 deduction is available to senior citizens. 499-4628
ELDERHOSTEL is a network of over 700 colleges,
universities, and other educational institutions in the
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) serves the
community by placing workers ages 60 and older in local hospitals, schools,
libraries, day care centers, nutrition sites, etc. Every effort is made to
match the volunteer’s interests to the types of services needed. The amount of
time given is usually one day per week. 497-3941
SAGE Tel-Assurance Program: volunteers are needed for
this daily (weekdays) telephone reassurance program. To volunteer, call
273-4598
Telephone reassurance program will make daily phone calls
to seniors. Volunteers are always needed. 497-3950.
Friend/Advocate Program: trains volunteers to provide
assistance to the frail elderly, i.e. obtaining entitlements and services,
paying bills, arranging medical care, and companionship. (973) 680-5599
Mobile Meals: volunteers are needed to deliver meals
(1.5-5 hours per month).233-6146
Recreation Office volunteers: help to collate and staple
the Mountainside Recreation NEWSLETTERS that are mailed to borough residents.
Three or four times a year, volunteers are asked to work for 2 hours. 232-0015
The Senior Citizens Club of Mountainside meets the 2nd
and 4th Fridays of the month at 12 noon at the Community Presbyterian Church on
Deer Path. Call 232-4406.
The Mountainside Active Retirees (MAR) meet on the 2nd
and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 10 am at Borough Hall. Call 232-4406.
Membership in the Mountainside Community Pool is
available to Senior citizens ages 62 and above for a discounted rate. Call the
Recreation Department at 232-0015 for membership details and an application.
50+ and 60+ Senior Softball in
Reduced Greens Fees at the three
Housing Rehabilitation Program - financial assistance for
the renovation or replacement of substandard heating, electrical, or plumbing
systems, insulation, structural repairs, or modifications and other repairs designed
to reduce operating costs and bring the house to standard condition. May also be used to make home barrier free.
The county will provide funds through direct subsidy and
revolving loans.
Direct Subsidy Assistance: non-interest deferred payment
loans. Loans are repaid at the time of property sale or transfer.
Revolving Loans: 6 to 15 year term at
1% interest. Gross yearly income is : $33,450
(1 person), $38,250 (2 people), $43,000 (3 people). 527-4227
Reverse Mortgage: program permits the older homeowner to
transform the equity in their homes into income without having to repay the
loan from current monthly income. There are three types of loans available in
NJ. Homeowners should seek expert financial counseling and legal advice in
order to make an informed decision. 232-4406
The Handyman Program provides assistance to seniors to
keep their homes in good condition through minor repairs and improvements, as
well as preventive maintenance. Eligibility requirements are: resident of
Mountainside, age 62 or older, with income limits of $43,050 (1 person ), $49,200 (2 people), or $55,350 (3 people)
including Social Security. Seniors pay only the cost of the materials. There is
no charge for labor.
SHARE- participants pay $14/month plus 2 hours of
community service and receive a food package worth $35. No eligibility
requirements; food stamps accepted. Call 973-344-2400 for the nearest
organization.
Special Greetings from the President- A
card sent to those celebrating birthdays (80 & older) and wedding
anniversaries (50th and above). Send request at least 6 weeks in advance
to The Greetings Office, The White House,
Emergency Response Systems: enable individuals to summon
outside help 24 hours a day in case of emergency. 232-4598
Telephone Reassurance Program: 497-3950
SAGE Tel-Assurance Program: telephone call to seniors
living alone each weekday morning from a trained volunteer prepared to follow
emergency procedures if the call is unanswered. 273-4598
Food shopping program: a volunteer will shop for you
every other week; to be eligible you must have no means to get food. 497-3943.
Adult Protective Services: investigates reports and
provides help for abused adults ages 60 and up, or the disabled. Includes physical and psychological abuse, neglect, financial
exploitation, & self neglect. 497-3902.
NJ Self-Help Clearinghouse: information on any one of
over 4,000 self-help groups currently meeting in
NJ DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS ACTION LINES:
For information about a company’s complaint history, call 201-504-6260.
Charities Registration identifies & regulates charitable organizations
201-504-6215
State Office of Consumer Protection 1-800-242-5846