MORRISTOWN —The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders will be celebrating the month of May as Older Americans Month. “May is set aside each year to honor and recognize older Americans for the contributions they make to our families, communities and society,” said Theresa Davis, Director of the Division of Aging, Disabilities, and Veterans.”
“Our senior citizens have contributed so much to our community that its important we remember to salute their achievements,” added Morris County Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo.
In anticipation of Older Americans Month, Morris County Freeholder Hank Lyon, liaison to the Department of Human Services, took time at the Freeholder’s April 22 meeting to highlight some of the county’s ongoing initiatives for senior citizens.
“The county has made a concerted effort over the past year to increase the operational and financial efficiencies at the Morris View Healthcare Center,” commented Freeholder Lyons. “As a result, Morris View continues to be a home for a number of our most vulnerable senior residents. In addition, the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance is one of the leaders on reducing the backlog of Food Stamp and Medicaid cases.”
Statewide, counties are experiencing backlogs after the State’s expansion of Medicaid. These backlogs place a burden on the community, with seniors representing a large number of those affected. In his remarks, Freeholder Lyons applauded the State for exploring the hiring of the Xerox Company to help process the Affordable Care Act application backlogs throughout New Jersey. Morris County maintains a high standard of efficiency with regard to Food Stamp and Medicaid eligibility processing in the State, at times beating State averages and surpassing Federal standards and the County will continuously strive to achieve a standard of excellence in this area.
Morris County also continues to provide hundreds of thousands of meals annually to seniors through the Meals on Wheels program. These meals are served at both nutrition sites across the county and at home to homebound seniors. The County will be holding a number of special events during May to celebrate the occasion. More details will be made available shortly and can be found on the County website at http://www.co.morris.nj.us/.
