State of New Jersey
Department of Human Services
A Guide to Community-Based
Long Term Care in New Jersey
Acknowledgments
The New Jersey Department of Human Services would like to thank WGBH
Education Foundation and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for
permission to adapt to our needs their publication, The Caregiver’s Handbook: A
Companion Resource to Caring for Your Parents.
Disclaimer
The content included within this handbook is intended to provide general
information on long-term supportive services while connecting the reader with
additional resources and may not be all inclusive.
Over time financial data and eligibility criteria for programs will change and
become outdated. The user is encouraged to verify this time sensitive data.
Should you notice an omission or error, please notify the Department of Human
Services at [email protected].
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GETTING STARTED ...................................................................................... 15
How Senior Services are Organized .......................................................................................................... 15
Division of Aging Services (DoAS) ........................................................................................................ 16
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) ............................................................................................................. 16
Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) .............................................................................. 16
Municipal Senior Services ....................................................................................................................... 17
How Disability Services are Organized .................................................................................................... 17
The Division of Disability Services (DDS) ............................................................................................. 17
County Offices of Disability Services ..................................................................................................... 18
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) ............................................................................... 18
Locating Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 19
County Welfare Agency (CWA) ............................................................................................................. 19
Federal Poverty Level .............................................................................................................................. 20
The Eldercare Locator ............................................................................................................................. 20
Other Useful Resource Locators .............................................................................................................. 20
NJ Helps .............................................................................................................................................. 21
Benefits Checkup ................................................................................................................................ 21
NJ211 .................................................................................................................................................. 21
NJ Relay .............................................................................................................................................. 21
Language Translation & Interpretation Services ................................................................................ 21
2. FINANCES ..................................................................................................... 25
Long-Term Care Costs ............................................................................................................................... 25
Financial Planning ...................................................................................................................................... 25
Start Planning Now .................................................................................................................................. 25
Professional Financial Planners ............................................................................................................... 26
Financing Long-Term Care ....................................................................................................................... 27
Home Equity Conversions ....................................................................................................................... 27
Sale/Leaseback ........................................................................................................................................ 27
Reverse Mortgage .................................................................................................................................... 27
Financial Benefits for Older Adults and Individuals with Disabilities .................................................. 27
Income Maintenance ................................................................................................................................ 27
Social Security ......................................................................................................................................... 27
Coverage ............................................................................................................................................. 28
Benefit Eligibility................................................................................................................................ 28
Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-203) ........................................................... 28
Retirement Age/Benefits ..................................................................................................................... 28
Delayed Retirement Credit .................................................................................................................. 28
Earnings Limitations ........................................................................................................................... 28
Direct Deposit ..................................................................................................................................... 28
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
2
Social Security Benefit Statement/Taxes ............................................................................................ 29
Social Security Disability Insurance ........................................................................................................ 29
Eligibility ............................................................................................................................................ 29
Initial Determination of Impairment ................................................................................................... 29
Survivors Benefits ................................................................................................................................... 29
Lump Sum Death Payment ................................................................................................................. 30
Veterans’ Death Benefits .................................................................................................................... 30
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program ........................................................................................ 30
SSI Income Limitations ...................................................................................................................... 30
SSI Resource Limitations.................................................................................................................... 31
SSI Applications, Appeals, Information ............................................................................................. 31
Railroad Retirement ................................................................................................................................. 31
Federal Civil Service Retirement .............................................................................................................. 32
Veterans Pension ..................................................................................................................................... 32
New Jersey Disabled Veterans ................................................................................................................ 32
Private Pensions .......................................................................................................................................... 32
Interpretation ........................................................................................................................................... 32
Termination ............................................................................................................................................. 33
Additional Federal and New Jersey-Specific Finance and Tax Information ........................................ 33
Federal Income Tax Benefits ................................................................................................................... 33
Federal Tax Credit for the Elderly and Disabled ..................................................................................... 34
Taxpayer Advocate Service ..................................................................................................................... 34
IRS Tax Counseling/Assistance ............................................................................................................... 34
Money Management ................................................................................................................................ 34
Property Tax Relief Programs ................................................................................................................. 35
Homestead Rebate Program ................................................................................................................ 35
Senior Citizens/Disabled Property Tax Deduction ............................................................................. 35
Property Tax Reimbursement Program (Senior Freeze) ..................................................................... 36
Disabled Veterans’ Proprerty Tax Deduction ..................................................................................... 37
Veterans’ Property Tax Deduction...................................................................................................... 37
Realty Transfer Fee.................................................................................................................................. 37
Sale of Principal Place of Residence ................................................................................................... 37
Partial Exemption................................................................................................................................ 37
Bank Accounts .................................................................................................................................... 38
3. LEGAL ISSUES .............................................................................................. 41
Elder Law .................................................................................................................................................... 41
Disability Law ............................................................................................................................................. 41
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) .................................................................................................. 41
Finding Legal Services ............................................................................................................................... 41
Legal Aid ................................................................................................................................................. 42
Important Legal Documents ...................................................................................................................... 42
Advance Directives .................................................................................................................................. 43
Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) ....................................................................................................... 43
Proxy Directive (a.k.a. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care) ...................................................... 43
Instruction Directive (a.k.a. Living Will) ................................................................................................ 44
Do Not Resuscitate/Do Not Intubate (DNR/DNI) Order ......................................................................... 44
Guardianship ............................................................................................................................................ 44
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
3
Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults (OPG) .................................................................... 45
Bureau of Guardianship Services (BGS) ............................................................................................ 45
Wills and Trusts ....................................................................................................................................... 46
Protecting the Rights of Elders .................................................................................................................. 46
Protection from Abuse ............................................................................................................................. 46
Adult Protective Services ........................................................................................................................ 46
Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly ..................................................................... 47
NJ Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing ..................................................................... 47
Advocacy ..................................................................................................................................................... 47
Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ) ..................................................................................................... 47
Consumer Protection .................................................................................................................................. 48
General Assistance................................................................................................................................... 48
Specialized Assistance ............................................................................................................................. 48
National Do Not Call Registry ................................................................................................................. 48
Identity Theft - Information and Assistance ............................................................................................ 49
Rights of Grandparents ............................................................................................................................. 49
Visitation Rights ...................................................................................................................................... 49
Kinship Navigator .................................................................................................................................... 49
Age Discrimination ..................................................................................................................................... 49
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)............................................................................ 49
The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (OWBPA) .............................................................. 49
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ........................................................................... 50
HIPAA Privacy Rule .................................................................................................................................. 50
Open Public Records Act (OPRA) ............................................................................................................ 50
4. HEALTH CARE .............................................................................................. 53
Record Keeping .......................................................................................................................................... 53
Monitoring Chronic Health Conditions .................................................................................................... 53
Finding a Doctor ......................................................................................................................................... 53
Making the Most of Your Doctor Visit ..................................................................................................... 54
Hospitalization and Discharge ................................................................................................................... 54
Discharge to Rehabilitation Facilities ...................................................................................................... 54
Discharge to Home .................................................................................................................................. 55
Centers for Primary Health Care ............................................................................................................. 56
Veterans Medical Care ............................................................................................................................... 56
Eye Health ................................................................................................................................................... 57
Ear Health ................................................................................................................................................... 57
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
4
Dental Care ................................................................................................................................................. 57
Nutrition ...................................................................................................................................................... 58
Congregate or Group Meals ..................................................................................................................... 58
Home-Delivered Meals ............................................................................................................................ 58
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) .......................................................................................... 59
Privately Funded Programs ...................................................................................................................... 59
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ............................................................................. 59
Assistive Devices / Technology ................................................................................................................... 60
Types of Assistive Devices ...................................................................................................................... 60
Paying for Assistive Technology ............................................................................................................. 60
Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) ................................................................................... 61
Medication ................................................................................................................................................... 61
Medication Management ......................................................................................................................... 61
Medication Considerations ...................................................................................................................... 61
Medication Management Reminder Devices ........................................................................................... 62
How to Save Money on Medications ....................................................................................................... 63
Prescription Drug Price Registry ............................................................................................................. 63
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) ............................................................... 63
Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program ............................................................................................ 64
Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) .......................................................................................... 64
AIDS Drug Distribution Program (ADDP) ............................................................................................. 65
Mental Health ............................................................................................................................................. 65
Outpatient Services .................................................................................................................................. 66
Adult Partial Care Services ...................................................................................................................... 66
Intensive Family Support Services .......................................................................................................... 66
Designated Screening Center ................................................................................................................... 66
Emergency Services ................................................................................................................................. 66
Addiction Programs ................................................................................................................................... 66
End-of-Life Care ......................................................................................................................................... 67
Palliative Care .......................................................................................................................................... 67
Hospice Care ............................................................................................................................................ 67
Hospice Care Resources ..................................................................................................................... 68
Additional End-of-Life Resources ........................................................................................................... 68
Bereavement ............................................................................................................................................ 69
5. INSURANCE ................................................................................................... 73
Understanding Health Care Insurance ..................................................................................................... 73
Medicare ...................................................................................................................................................... 73
Original Medicare Plan ............................................................................................................................ 74
Part A: Hospital Insurance ...................................................................................................................... 74
Part B: Medical Insurance ...................................................................................................................... 74
Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans ......................................................................................................... 74
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage ....................................................................................................... 75
Medicare Savings Programs .................................................................................................................... 75
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) ...................................................................... 75
Qualifying Individual (QI-1) ............................................................................................................... 75
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) ............................................................................................. 75
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
5
Medigap ....................................................................................................................................................... 75
Other Insurance Plans ............................................................................................................................... 76
Health Insurance Marketplace ................................................................................................................. 76
Government Employee Health Plans ....................................................................................................... 76
Indian Health Plans .................................................................................................................................. 76
Military Service Benefits ......................................................................................................................... 76
TRICARE ........................................................................................................................................... 76
CHAMPVA ........................................................................................................................................ 77
New Jersey Veterans Health Care System ............................................................................................... 77
Employer or Union Health Coverage ...................................................................................................... 77
Medicaid ...................................................................................................................................................... 77
New Jersey Medicaid Insurance Programs .............................................................................................. 78
NJ FamilyCare .................................................................................................................................... 78
Community Medicaid ......................................................................................................................... 78
Institutional Medicaid ......................................................................................................................... 78
Qualified Income Trust (QIT) ............................................................................................................. 78
NJ FamilyCare .................................................................................................................................... 78
NJ FamilyCare ADVANTAGE .......................................................................................................... 78
New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance – Charity Care ............................................................. 79
Eligibility ................................................................................................................................................. 79
Long-Term Care Insurance ....................................................................................................................... 79
New Jersey State Partnership for Long Term Care .................................................................................. 80
Life Insurance ............................................................................................................................................. 80
Accelerated Death Benefits ..................................................................................................................... 80
Life Settlements ....................................................................................................................................... 80
Viatical Settlements ................................................................................................................................. 80
Single Premium Life/LTC Policies .......................................................................................................... 81
Long-Term Care Annuities........................................................................................................................ 81
Deferred Annuity with Long-Term Care Benefits ................................................................................... 81
Immediate Annuity .................................................................................................................................. 81
Reverse Mortgage Annuity ...................................................................................................................... 81
Leaseback ................................................................................................................................................ 81
6. HOME & COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES .................................................. 85
Home Care Services ................................................................................................................................... 85
Homemaker Services ............................................................................................................................... 85
Personal Care Services ............................................................................................................................ 85
Meal Services .......................................................................................................................................... 85
Home Health Care Services ..................................................................................................................... 85
Skilled Health Care Services ................................................................................................................... 85
Home Care Providers ................................................................................................................................. 85
Licensed Home Care Agencies ................................................................................................................ 85
Non-Certified Agencies ........................................................................................................................... 86
Independent Providers ............................................................................................................................. 86
Obtaining Home Care Services ................................................................................................................. 86
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Paying for Home Care ................................................................................................................................ 86
Home Care Rates ........................................................................................................................................ 87
Medicaid Home Care Services ................................................................................................................... 87
Community Medicaid State Plan Services ............................................................................................... 87
Services and Supports for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities .......................... 88
Home Care Services for Adults with Physical Disabilities ...................................................................... 89
Supports Program ...................................................................................................................................889
The Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Program .......................................................................................889
The Personal Preference Program (PPP) ................................................................................................889
Medicaid Waivers ....................................................................................................................................... 89
Eligibility ................................................................................................................................................. 90
New Jersey Medicaid Waivers ................................................................................................................ 90
MLTSS Waiver Services ......................................................................................................................... 90
The Community Care Waiver (CCW) ..................................................................................................... 91
Non-Medicaid Waiver Home Care Programs .......................................................................................... 91
The Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) .................................................................... 91
The Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP) ................................................................................ 92
The NJ Statewide Respite Care Program ................................................................................................. 92
Additional Home Care Programs ............................................................................................................. 92
The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) .................................................................... 92
Veterans’ Home Health Care ................................................................................................................... 92
Day Care Programs .................................................................................................................................... 93
Day Care Programs – Social .................................................................................................................... 93
Day Care Programs – Medical ................................................................................................................. 93
Eligibility Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 93
Services Offered.................................................................................................................................. 93
Cost of Services .................................................................................................................................. 93
Alzheimer’s Adult Day Health Services .................................................................................................. 94
Eligibility Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 94
Care Management ...................................................................................................................................... 94
Services Offered ...................................................................................................................................... 94
Cost of Care Management ....................................................................................................................... 95
Consumer Direction ................................................................................................................................... 95
Advantages and Responsibilities ............................................................................................................. 96
7. HOUSING & ALTERNATIVE LIVING OPTIONS ............................................ 99
Remaining at Home .................................................................................................................................... 99
Home Safety ................................................................................................................................................ 99
Home Modification and Repair ................................................................................................................. 99
Considerations ......................................................................................................................................... 99
Paying for Home Modifications .............................................................................................................100
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Staying Safe in Your Home.......................................................................................................................100
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) .....................................................................................100
Project Lifesaver .....................................................................................................................................100
Eligibility ...........................................................................................................................................101
Safe Return Program ...............................................................................................................................101
Emergency Preparedness ..........................................................................................................................101
Disaster Planning ....................................................................................................................................102
NJ Alert ..............................................................................................................................................102
NJ Register Ready..............................................................................................................................102
Registering with Power Companies and First Responders ................................................................102
To Move or Not to Move ...........................................................................................................................103
Housing Options ........................................................................................................................................103
Housing Lists ..........................................................................................................................................103
State Rental Assistance Program (S-RAP) .............................................................................................104
Federally Assisted Housing Programs ....................................................................................................104
Section 8 .................................................................................................................................................104
Section 202 .............................................................................................................................................105
Independent Living ...................................................................................................................................105
Subsidized Apartments for the Elderly and Disabled .............................................................................105
The Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) .............................................................................105
Boarding Homes ........................................................................................................................................106
Residential Health Care Facilities (RHCF) .............................................................................................106
Services Provided ...................................................................................................................................107
Eligibility & Costs ..................................................................................................................................107
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) ................................................................................107
Assisted Living ......................................................................................................................................... 1088
Assisted Living Residence (ALR) ..........................................................................................................108
Comprehensive Personal Care Home (CPCH) .......................................................................................108
Assisted Living Program (ALP) .............................................................................................................108
Services Provided...............................................................................................................................108
Facility Staffing .................................................................................................................................109
Cost of Services .................................................................................................................................109
Adult Family Care (AFC) .........................................................................................................................109
Nursing Home and Long-Term Care .......................................................................................................110
Candidates ..............................................................................................................................................110
Services Offered .....................................................................................................................................110
Cost of Services ......................................................................................................................................110
Facility Monitoring .................................................................................................................................111
Nursing Home Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) Program ....................................................................111
Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) ....................................................................112
Veterans Memorial Homes .......................................................................................................................112
NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Paramus ...............................................................................................112
NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park ..........................................................................................112
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
8
NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland ..............................................................................................112
Nursing Home Transitions ........................................................................................................................113
Community Choice Program/Nursing Home Transitions .......................................................................113
I Choose Home -- NJ (also known as Money Follows the Person) ........................................................113
Utility Assistance Programs ......................................................................................................................114
Energy/Utility Assistance .......................................................................................................................114
Comfort Partners .....................................................................................................................................114
Eligibility Requirements ....................................................................................................................115
Heating Oil Cost Assistance Program .....................................................................................................115
CITGO/Citizens Energy .........................................................................................................................115
Lifeline Program .....................................................................................................................................115
Eligibility ...........................................................................................................................................116
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ..................................................................116
Universal Service Fund (USF) ................................................................................................................116
NJSHARES ............................................................................................................................................116
Eligibility ...........................................................................................................................................116
Winter Termination Program ..................................................................................................................117
Eligibility ...........................................................................................................................................117
Additional Utility Assistance Programs ...................................................................................................117
Communications Lifeline Telephone Services .......................................................................................117
Senior Citizen Telephone Deposit Program ...........................................................................................117
Cable Television Discount ......................................................................................................................118
Water and Sewer .....................................................................................................................................118
Multiple Dwellings: Rent Grace ..............................................................................................................118
Condominium Conversion ........................................................................................................................118
Safe Housing and Transportation Program ............................................................................................119
8. TRANSPORTATION .................................................................................... 123
The Older Driver .......................................................................................................................................123
Are you a safe driver? .............................................................................................................................123
Adaptive Driving for Individuals with Disabilities .................................................................................124
Accessible Parking..................................................................................................................................124
Transportation Information and Services ...............................................................................................124
County Coordinated Senior/Disabled Transportation Programs .............................................................125
Access Link ............................................................................................................................................125
Access Link’s Service Area ...............................................................................................................125
Eligibility - Applying for Access Link ...............................................................................................125
Additional Transportation Options: ........................................................................................................126
New Jersey Find A Ride - ..................................................................................................................126
NJ Transit Reduced Fare Program .....................................................................................................126
Alternative Options .................................................................................................................................126
9. STAYING ACTIVE AND INVOLVED ............................................................ 129
Exercise and Fitness ..................................................................................................................................129
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Safety Tips ..................................................................................................................................................129
Health & Wellness Programs ...................................................................................................................130
HealthEASE Health Education ...............................................................................................................130
Move Today Exercise Class ...................................................................................................................131
Take Control of Your Health (A Chronic Disease Self-Management Program) ....................................131
Project Healthy Bones ............................................................................................................................131
A Matter of Balance................................................................................................................................132
New Jersey Disability Health & Wellness Initiative ...............................................................................132
Employment Opportunities ......................................................................................................................132
Workforce 55+ ........................................................................................................................................132
One-Stop Career Centers ........................................................................................................................133
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) ................................................................133
Services Offered.................................................................................................................................133
Services with Cost..............................................................................................................................134
Blind and Visually Impaired ...................................................................................................................134
Volunteer Opportunities ...........................................................................................................................134
National Senior Service Corps ................................................................................................................134
Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) ...................................................................................................135
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) ................................................................................135
Senior Companion Program (SCP) ....................................................................................................135
Peace Corps ............................................................................................................................................135
SCORE Programs ...................................................................................................................................135
AmeriCorps ............................................................................................................................................136
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) ............................................................................................136
The Volunteer New Jersey Partnership ...................................................................................................136
Lifelong Learning ......................................................................................................................................136
Adult Education ......................................................................................................................................136
English as a Second Language (ESL) .....................................................................................................136
High School Diploma .............................................................................................................................137
College Programs and Services ..............................................................................................................137
Recreation, Amusement, and Entertainment ..........................................................................................137
Beaches ...................................................................................................................................................137
Forests and Parks ....................................................................................................................................137
Federal Programs ....................................................................................................................................137
America the Beautiful Annual Pass ...................................................................................................138
America the Beautiful Senior Pass .....................................................................................................138
America the Beautiful Access Pass ....................................................................................................138
Park-Specific Pass ..............................................................................................................................138
NJ State Park Program ............................................................................................................................138
Hunting ..............................................................................................................................................138
Fishing ...............................................................................................................................................139
Public Golf Courses ................................................................................................................................139
Senior Centers ............................................................................................................................................139
Assistance at the Polls ...............................................................................................................................139
10. CAREGIVER CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................. 143
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
10
Preparing for Caregiving ..........................................................................................................................143
ADRCNJ.org ..........................................................................................................................................143
Starting the Conversation .........................................................................................................................143
Who Should Be There? ...........................................................................................................................143
Small Steps .............................................................................................................................................144
What About Denial? ...............................................................................................................................144
Listen Carefully ......................................................................................................................................144
Assessing Care Needs ................................................................................................................................144
Finding Services .........................................................................................................................................145
The Older Driver - Caregiver Considerations ........................................................................................145
Assessing Your Needs ................................................................................................................................146
Why Caregivers Need Care ....................................................................................................................146
Learning Caregiving Skills .......................................................................................................................147
Collecting and Organizing Information ..................................................................................................147
Family Leave ..............................................................................................................................................147
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) ............................................................................148
Leave Entitlement ..............................................................................................................................148
Employee Eligibility ..........................................................................................................................148
New Jersey Paid Family Leave Act (NJFLA) ........................................................................................149
NJFLA Leave Entitlement .................................................................................................................149
Employee Eligibility ..........................................................................................................................150
Caregiver Support .....................................................................................................................................150
Care2Caregivers .....................................................................................................................................151
Caregiver Stree Assessment....................................................................................................................151
The Family Caregiver Support Program .................................................................................................151
Respite Services .........................................................................................................................................152
The NJ Statewide Respite Care Program ................................................................................................152
Services Offered.................................................................................................................................152
Eligibility Requirements ....................................................................................................................153
Cost of Services .................................................................................................................................153
More Caregiver Resources .......................................................................................................................153
National Organizations ...........................................................................................................................153
Faith-based Organizations ......................................................................................................................154
11. APPENDIX ITEMS ...................................................................................... 156
Appendix A - Adult Protective Service Providers ..................................................................................156
Appendix B - Area Agencies on Aging .....................................................................................................159
Appendix C - Centers for Independent Living .......................................................................................161
Appendix D - Centers for Primary Care .................................................................................................163
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Appendix E - Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired ...........................................................168
Appendix F - Congregate Housing Services Providers ..........................................................................169
Appendix G - County Welfare Agencies ..................................................................................................172
Appendix H - Division of Developmental Disabilities – Regional Offices .............................................174
Appendix I - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Service Offices .....................................................175
Appendix J - Medical Assistance Customer Centers ..............................................................................177
Appendix K - Mental Health Administrator’s Offices ...........................................................................178
Appendix L - Mental Health Counseling .................................................................................................180
Appendix M – Office of Disability Services .............................................................................................181
Appendix N - One Stop Career Centers ..................................................................................................183
Appendix O - Sheriff’s Offices .................................................................................................................185
Appendix P - Transportation Services – County Listing .......................................................................186
Appendix Q - Veterans Administration NJ Health Care System ..........................................................187
Appendix R - Veterans Service Offices (County Listing) .......................................................................188
Appendix S - Advance Directive Checklist - Things to Consider ..........................................................190
Appendix T - Assisted Living and Nursing Home Checklist .................................................................192
Appendix U - Day Care Checklist ............................................................................................................197
Appendix V - Home Care Checklist .........................................................................................................199
Appendix W- Home Safety Checklist ......................................................................................................201
Appendix X - Current Home Medication List ........................................................................................206
Appendix Y - Where to Find My Important Papers ..............................................................................206
Appendix Z - What you need to know about Applying for Medical Assistance for the Aged, Blind and
Disabled ......................................................................................................................................................208
Appendix AA - Who Pays for Long-Term Care? (2015) ........................................................................210
Appendix BB - 2015 Federal Poverty Guidelines ...................................................................................213
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
12
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
13
1. GETTING STARTED
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
14
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
15
1. Getting Started
Your Doorway to Information & Assistance
The New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services, with
support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Administration on Aging (AoA), is
proud to provide you with this publication, ADRC: A Guide to Community-
Based Long Term Care in New Jersey.
If you or a loved one is facing a healthcare crisis, recovering from a sudden
illness or injury, or planning for future care needs, getting information and
services can be difficult. This handbook provides important information on both
public and privately funded long-term services and supports to help you
understand your options.
Please keep in mind that while we were able to put a lot of information into this
handbook, we couldn’t fit everything. That is why at the bottom of every page
you will find a toll-free number – 1-877-222-3737 – that connects you to your
local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and/or Aging and Disability Resource
Connection (ADRC). Calling this number is the fastest way to information and
referral, options counseling, in-depth care needs assessment, and services.
This handbook and additional information on services for seniors, adults
with disabilities and their caregivers can also be found on-line at
www.adrcnj.gov.
This handbook provides website addresses (URLs) for reliable and up-to-date
sites. URLs can, and often do, change. If you find that a URL does not work, type
the name of the organization into a search engine (Google, Yahoo!, etc.) to find
the new URL.
How Senior Services are Organized
In New Jersey, the Department of Human Services (the State Unit on Aging) and
its Division of Aging Services administer programs directly and distribute federal
and state funds to Area Agencies on Aging for local service provision.
Division of Aging Services (DoAS)
The Division of Aging Services administers federal and state-funded services and
supports and makes it easier for seniors and caregivers to live in the community
as long as possible with independence, dignity and choice. For more information
on division services, continue reading this guide or visit our website at
www.aging.nj.gov. The division also administers the Aging & Disability
Resource Connection (ADRC) website at www.adrcnj.org.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
16
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
Area Agencies on Aging (also known as AAAs, County Offices on Aging, Senior
Services, Intergenerational Services and/or Veteran and Disability Services) are
located in each county to develop comprehensive coordinated systems of
community-based services for persons aged 60 and older and their caregivers.
AAAs can also serve as Aging and Disability Resource Connections (ADRCs).
More information on ADRCs can be found below.
Programs and services available through the AAA are intended to help seniors
maintain their health and independence in the community for as long as possible.
AAAs coordinate and/or provide direct services in three major areas:
Information and Assistance/Referral (I&A/R): AAAs provide free
information about a wide range of eldercare services and resources
through trained I&A/R specialists who will connect you to services.
Services for the Elderly: AAAs coordinate and provide services for
seniors who want to remain in their own home, but need assistance with
daily routines. Core services include in-home assessments, development
of a care plan, and assistance arranging home care services delivered by
provider agencies. AAAs also provide meals, transportation, and referrals
to employment services, senior centers, and adult day care programs.
Support for Caregivers: The AAA develops local programs as part of the
National Family Caregiver Support Program, including information and
referral, counseling, training, support groups, and access to respite care.
Caregivers are eligible for this program if they are caring for an individual
60 years or older, regardless of the senior’s income.
AAAs distribute and/or maintain on-line county-specific service directories,
newsletters, calendars of events and/or other materials. For additional
information, please contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
and/or Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) toll-free at
1-877-222-3737.
Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)
The Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) is a program to connect
individuals and their caregivers with information and access to the long term
services and supports they need to continue living independently in the
community for as long as possible.
The ADRC serves as your doorway to information and assistance on the full
range of public and private long-term services and supports available in New
Jersey. The ADRC strongly supports consumer-directed care in which the
consumer is in control of making personal care decisions based on assessed
need, informed choice and community service availability.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Through your ADRC, consumers and their caregivers, regardless of income and
resources, can:
Receive information on public and private long-term services and supports
Receive an in-home assessment, if appropriate, to identify care needs
Obtain counseling on available community service options
Obtain appropriate referrals to services based on care needs
Receive care management services for eligible participants
For additional information, contact your local Area Agency on Aging
(AAA) and/or Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), or
visit our website at www.adrcnj.gov.
Municipal Senior Services
Many boroughs, towns and cities in New Jersey have an office of senior services
and/or operate a senior center for their residents. These agencies are part of
local government and range in size from small, volunteer-run programs to large,
multi-site eldercare service providers.
Most municipal offices of senior services offer a wide range of services including,
but not limited to information and referral, transportation, outreach, meals, health
screening, fitness and recreation programs.
How Disability Services are Organized
In New Jersey, the State Department of Human Services administers a number
of programs to support individuals with disabilities. Most counties also maintain
an Office of Disability Services and/or have a Center for Independent Living (CIL)
that helps individuals remain active and independent in the community.
The Division of Disability Services (DDS)
The Division of Disability Services focuses on serving people who have become
disabled as adults, whether through illness or injury. Such conditions are also
referred to as adult-onset disabilities. However, the division serves as a single
point of entry for all people with disabilities needing information and/or services
within the human services system, regardless of age. The division also serves
as the lead state agency for brain injury services. Additional services offered
include:
Information and Assistance Services
Personal Preference Program: New Jersey’s Cash & Counseling
Personal Assistance Services Program
NJ Workability Program
Traumatic Brain Injury Fund
Special Projects & Initiatives
o Disability Health and Wellness Initiative
o NJ Housing Resource Center
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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o Rewarding Work
o NJ FindARide
o Benefits to Work Calculator
o Sandy Home Access Programs
To learn about disability services and/or to request a comprehensive
disability specific resource directory, you can call the Division of
Disability Services’ toll-free number at 1-888-285-3036/
TDD 609-292-1210 or visit their website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds/home/index.html.
County Offices of Disability Services
New Jersey has 21 County Offices of Disability Services that provide a wide
range of services to advance independent living. These offices provide advocacy
as well as information and referral on a variety of topics, including:
Accessibility
Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA)
Assistive Technology
Education
Financial Assistance
Housing
Legal Assistance
Personal Assistance Services
Recreation
Rehabilitation Act (Sec. 504)
Transportation
Vocational Assistance
(See Appendix M for a list of County Offices of Disability Services.)
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
The Division of Developmental Disabilities provides funding for services and
supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Most of these services
are offered in the community by more than 250 agencies through contracts with
the division. DDD also administers the state’s five residential developmental
centers.
DDD determines who is eligible to receive the services it funds through an
application process. In general, to receive these services, individuals must show
that they have a severe, chronic physical and/or mental impairment that:
manifests in the developmental years, before age 22;
is life-long; and
substantially limits them in at least three of these life activities: self-care,
learning, mobility, communication, self-direction, economic self-sufficiency
and the ability to live independently.
Some conditions that might be considered a developmental disability include
cerebral palsy, epilepsy, spina bifida, autism or a neurological impairment.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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For more information or to apply for services, contact the DDD Regional
Community Services Office serving your county (see Appendix H), call toll-
free 1-800-832-9173 or visit
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/home/index.html.
Locating Resources
County Welfare Agency (CWA)
New Jersey’s County Welfare Agencies (CWAs), also referred to as the Boards
of Social Services or Divisions of Social Services, are agencies of county
government that provide a variety of programs to individuals and families.
Services Offered
The following is a partial list of services that may be available through your local
CWA:
Adult Protective Services (APS) – provides services to vulnerable adults
living in the community who are being subjected to abuse, neglect, or
exploitation and cannot fully protect or care for themselves. Referrals to
APS can be made anonymously. (See the Legal Services section for
further explanation.)
Adult Social Services – provides services to the elderly, blind or disabled
adults in the community, including but not limited to housing, counseling
and various support services.
Emergency Assistance – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF), General Assistance (GA), or Social Security Income (SSI)
recipients may be eligible for Emergency Assistance such as short-term
housing, food, utilities, clothing or furnishings. Special funding is also
available to assist income eligible individuals or families, with a one-time
emergency issue that is due to circumstances beyond their control.
Persons must meet federal qualification guidelines.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called
Food Stamps) – provides coupons to purchase food. This program is
available to low-income households, including families, couples without
children, individuals, seniors, disabled persons, legal immigrants and
victims of family violence. For more information call the SNAP Information
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-792-9773.
Home Energy Assistance – The Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps families and
individuals with their energy bills. Assistance is provided for heating
assistance, medically necessary cooling assistance, and emergency crisis
assistance.
Homeless Sheltering
Medical Transportation – may be provided to individuals who are eligible
for Medicaid. Non-emergency transportation is provided to doctors, labs
and hospitals for necessary medical services.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Medicaid – provides access to health care services, including but not
limited to hospital, doctor, prescriptions, nursing home and other
healthcare needs.
Work First NJ – designed to help families move to self-sufficiency by
offering them a full array of supports, from child care, health insurance and
transportation, to substance abuse treatment and emergency funds.
Recipients face a five-year lifetime limit on cash assistance, and must
become employed or take part in work activities.
Eligibility Requirements
Please contact your local CWA (Appendix G) for an explanation of eligibility
requirements as each program may have differing criteria, or to request an
application. A list of necessary documents that may be required to submit a
financial application is included in Appendix Z.
Federal Poverty Level
Many programs base eligibility on the Federal Poverty Level set annually by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For your reference the Federal
Poverty Guidelines for 2015 can be found in Appendix BB.
The Eldercare Locator
The Eldercare Locator is a national information and referral service to assist
individuals in finding eldercare services and caregiver support in any U.S.
community. It is a free national service of the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA)
and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
For information and referral to community-based services, visit their
website at www.eldercare.gov, or call toll-free 1-800-677-1116. For
TDD/TTY dial 711 and ask the operator to connect you to 1-800-677-
1116.
Other Useful Resource Locators
The overall aging and disability services system is a complex mix of nonprofit
and for-profit agencies and organizations. Other resources to contact include:
Community agencies that serve a particular ethnic group or faith tradition,
but are usually open to others, and provide a range of services such as
transportation assistance, home care, transportation, and meals;
Rehabilitation facilities with their own inpatient services and community-
based follow-up programs;
Hospitals with their own geriatric medicine departments and geriatric
community outreach programs; and
Housing authorities and housing facilities, such as continuing care
retirement communities, assisted living residences, and nursing homes.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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NJ Helps
NJ Helps is a website created by the New Jersey Department of Human
Services. It is a free and easy way for you to learn about and “pre-screen” for a
number of different assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP), WIC, New Jersey Family Care, PAAD, Senior Gold
and more.
To see if you may qualify for any of these programs, please visit:
www.njhelps.org.
Benefits Checkup
The National Council on Aging has a free confidential screening tool you can use
to determine eligibility for nearly 1,000 unique state and federal programs on its
website at www.benefitscheckup.org. This site also has detailed instruction on
how to apply for these programs.
NJ211
211 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects callers to the
human services they need, including health and social services, government
assistance, and local community resources. 211 is a service of the United Way
of New Jersey.
All calls are free and confidential. Just pick up the phone and dial 211, or
try their web-based resource directory at www.nj211.org.
NJ Relay
NJ Relay is a statewide service that allows two individuals to communicate when
only one has a TTY or TDD machine. To access the system, dial 711 or 1-800-
852-7899. You will be connected to a communications assistant with a TTY and
that person will act as interpreter, reading off the TTY and typing in responses.
This system ensures individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard-of-hearing, and/or
speech-disabled can access information and services in their community.
Language Translation & Interpretation Services
Access to interpreters for persons who are non-English speaking, limited English
speaking, hearing impaired, or other older persons who have functional
impairments may be available through your local AAA/ADRC.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Personal Notes
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For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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2. FINANCES
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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2. Finances
The need for long-term care services can occur at any age. Approximately 40%
of long-term care service users are working-age adults. Younger people need
long-term care because of certain diseases, car accidents, strokes and other
disabling events.
Planning for your future financial needs can ensure your continued independence
and well-being as you age. Planning ahead has many advantages, including:
Time to think through, clarify, and communicate your goals and needs
Opportunity to control your choices and options
Financial security
Peace of mind
Long-Term Care Costs
Paying for long-term care can be financially devastating if you haven’t planned
for it. Most long-term care expenses are not covered by Medicare or other health
care insurance plans, and the costs can be staggering should you require
around-the-clock care.
Long-term care insurance can help control costs and protect family assets. For
more information, see the Insurance section as well as the document, Who Pays
for Long-Term Care? (located in Appendix AA).
Financial Planning
You may be worried about how to make the best long-term care decisions
without compromising your family’s overall economic security. The following
questions may help you clarify your concerns:
What is your financial picture?
What long-term care services can you afford?
Does insurance cover any of these expenses?
How can you find out if you are eligible for assistance paying for long-term
care services?
Is there any financial assistance for lower-income and middle-income
families?
Who in the family needs to be consulted about paying for long-term care
services? Can other family members help pay for services?
Start Planning Now
Start planning now for your future needs or those of your loved ones. A good
financial plan for everyone should include:
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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A monthly budget with income and expenses.
A budget for large capital expenses (e.g. major home
improvements/maintenance) over a three-to-five-year period.
A review of health insurance plan(s) to determine what is covered and
what is not.
An overview of all assets and debts.
A plan for someone to handle finances and decision-making in case you
are unable to.
Resources to assist you include:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains a
website on long-term care planning at www.longtermcare.gov.
AARP has an extensive section on investing and retirement planning on
their website at www.aarp.org/money.
To begin planning for yourself or a loved one, or to prepare for working with a
financial planner, you will need to analyze two things:
Cash flow – determined by calculating current income and expenses
including health insurance
Net worth – the current value of all assets (including your house) after you
have subtracted all debts
Start by locating all important financial and legal records and documents. Use
the List of Important Documents (Appendix Y) to help you. It is also important to
review beneficiary designations on any life insurance policies, annuity contracts,
and 401K/IRA accounts to make sure they are current. You should also have a
Power of Attorney or letter of permission for the individual who is to assist you, so
that information, including financial accounts and insurance policies, can be
discussed in your absence. A good financial analysis should include the
following:
Current income
Current expenses
Insurance coverage
Assets
Debts
Professional Financial Planners
You may want to think through these difficult financial and legal issues by talking
with a professional financial planner, an attorney specializing in elder or disability
law, or a geriatric or disability care specialist. These are good places to find such
assistance and useful information about financial and long-term care planning.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Financial Planning Association, telephone: 1-800-322-4237; website:
www.fpanet.org.
New Jersey State Bar Association, telephone: 732-249-5000; website:
www.njsba.com.
Financing Long-Term Care
There are several options available to finance long-term care expenses. Some
options may not be appropriate or available for everyone. It is important to
assess your circumstances when evaluating each of these options.
Home Equity Conversions
Home equity conversions are methods that allow homeowners access to the
equity tied up in their homes without being forced to move or repay a loan from
limited income. While there are several forms of home equity conversions, the
most common are sale/leaseback and reverse mortgage.
Sale/Leaseback
Under a sale/leaseback, an investor purchases the homeowner’s home and
grants the seller a life tenancy. The seller may receive a lump sum payment
from which a life annuity is purchased, or may receive monthly mortgage
payments from which the rent is deducted. The specific arrangement is often
dictated by tax considerations. An advantage of this approach is that the seller’s
income is protected against the buyer’s default by the mortgage and annuity
purchased at the time of sale.
Reverse Mortgage
A Reverse mortgage is a loan made by a lender to a homeowner, which provides
a lump sum, a line of credit or monthly payments to the homeowner. Typically,
the loan does not have to be repaid until the homeowner moves, sells or dies.
The money received from the lender is not counted as income for purposes of
eligibility for public benefits, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) or SSI.
Financial Benefits for Older Adults and Individuals with
Disabilities
Income Maintenance
Income maintenance is not easily defined, but in principle it broadly means those
state funds that enhance the capacity to earn an income or those which sustain a
level of income or reduce living expenses when normal sources fail.
Social Security
The Social Security system is designed to provide insured workers and their
dependents or survivors with some protection against the loss of worker’s income
due to retirement, disability, or death. Created in 1935, the system is
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration and is divided into four
parts:
Old Age
Survivors
Disability
Health insurance programs
Coverage
The Social Security program automatically covers almost all workers.
Workers in non-profit organizations and government entities should check
with their employers to verify membership in the Social Security program.
Benefit Eligibility
Eligibility is based on contributions to the system during the working life of the
individual. Benefits are financed by payroll taxes paid jointly by employers
and employees and by the self-employed. To receive benefits, persons must
have a sufficient number of credits, usually 40 (10 years of work). You can
visit www.socialsecurity.gov and use the “Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool”
to find out if you may be eligible for SSA or other benefits.
Social Security Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-203)
Under this law, which covers retirements effective July 1, 2004, public
employees are required to work in jobs covered by Social Security for the last
five years (60 months) of their careers in order to be eligible for both Social
Security and Pension Benefits.
Retirement Age/Benefits
Workers covered by Social Security may retire with full benefits at age 65 if
they were born in 1937 or earlier. The normal retirement age (NRA) for full
benefits will increase to age 67 in 2022.
Delayed Retirement Credit
The delayed retirement credit increases Social Security benefits for every
month a person of normal retirement age remains employed and delays
receiving benefits. The amount of the delayed retirement credit depends on
the year you reach retirement age and the number of months you are eligible
for and do not receive benefits.
Earnings Limitations
Social Security no longer places restrictions on earnings for beneficiaries
above the normal retirement age.
Direct Deposit
Individuals who currently get Social Security or other federal benefits must
receive those benefits deposited directly into their checking or savings
accounts. Direct deposit is convenient and helps protect you from lost checks
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
29
and/or stolen identity. To sign up for direct deposit call 1-800-333-1795, or
sign up on-line at www.godirect.org. It takes just a few minutes and can
make a big difference in your financial safety.
Social Security Benefit Statement/Taxes
In January of each year, the Social Security Administration will send each
beneficiary a Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099-SM). This
statement tells you how much you received in Social Security benefits during
the previous year and provides a worksheet to determine if any of your
benefits are taxable.
To assist persons in knowing what their benefits are, or will be, the Social
Security Administration maintains a nationwide, 24-hour toll-free
information and assistance service at 1-800-772-1213
(TTY 1-800-325-0778). All information is confidential and must be
requested by the recipient/prospective recipient personally.
Social Security Disability Insurance
Eligibility
Workers who become severely disabled while employed may be eligible for
monthly benefits before age 65. However, to be eligible for disability benefits, a
worker must be covered by Social Security and should apply for such benefits as
soon as possible after the onset of the disability.
Initial Determination of Impairment
In NJ, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development makes the initial
determination of disability. They will use the medical evidence from your doctors
and hospitals, clinics or institutions where you have been treated and all other
information, which must show as a result of the impairment, “substantial gainful”
employment cannot be performed for at least twelve months. In addition to
medical impairments, vocational capacities, including age, education, and work
experience, is evaluated.
Because Disability Insurance is one of the most complicated of all Social
Security programs, you should call, visit or go on-line to Social Security’s
website for more in-depth information.
Survivors Benefits
Social Security Survivors Insurance provides monthly cash benefits to the
spouse/divorced spouse or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased worker based on
the worker’s earnings record. If the beneficiary is employed, his/her earnings
and age will affect the amount of monthly benefits received. Survivor benefits
can be paid only if the deceased worker had credit for a certain amount of work
in employment/self-employment covered by Social Security. The exact number
of work credits needed depends on the age of the worker at time of death.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Lump Sum Death Payment
In addition to any monthly survivor insurance benefits, there is a special one-time
payment of $255. This payment can be made to your spouse or child if they
meet certain requirements.
Information on the above programs is available at local Social Security
offices, from their toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213
(TTY 1-800-325-0778), or on their website, www.socialsecurity.gov.
Veterans’ Death Benefits
Death benefits may be provided to eligible widow(er)s, and children of qualified
veterans. Survivors may also take advantage of burial expense assistance –
burial flags, headstone or grave markers, burial plot in a national cemetery,
memorial marker, or memorial plots. If the death is service related, the VA will
pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11,
2001, or up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 10, 2001. If the death is non-
service related, the VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses
and a $300 plot interment allowance.
To contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) call
1-800-827-1000, or your local VA Office (Appendix R), or visit them on
the web at www.va.gov.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program
The Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) is a federally administered
program that provides income to eligible persons 65 or older, or individuals who
are blind or disabled. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and
shelter. People who get SSI usually also qualify for Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) and Medicaid/NJ
FamilyCare. SSI differs from Social Security in that it is based on a person’s
income and resources (assets), and is funded by the general revenues of the US
Treasury, not by the Social Security Trust Fund.
SSI Income Limitations
The amount of income you can have each month and still get SSI depends partly
on the State in which you reside and your living arrangement. Social Security
does not count all of your income in deciding eligibility. For example, as of 2015,
they do not count:
The first $20 of SSD (Social Security Disability) income received in a
month
The first $65 a month you earn from working and half the amount over
$65
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as
Food Stamps)
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
31
Most food, clothing or shelter you get from private nonprofit
organizations
Most home energy assistance
Scholarship assistance for most tuition and fees
Earnings of a disabled child (18-21) who is a student
SSI Resource Limitations
Resources are things you own, such as personal belongings, bank accounts,
cash, or stocks and bonds. A single person may be able to get SSI with
resources of up to $2,000; a couple may be able to get SSI with resources of up
to $3,000. Not counted as resources are:
The home you live in and the land it’s on
Personal and household goods, depending on their value
Car, if used for essential transportation, or if worth $4,500 or less
Certain monies set aside for burial are not counted
If you are blind or have a disability, some items may not count if you plan
to use them to work or earn extra income
SSI Applications, Appeals, Information
Persons who have been denied SSI, or had their payments stopped or reduced,
have certain appeal procedures available to them free of charge.
To apply for SSI, initiate an appeal, or request more information, please
contact the nearest Social Security office, call their toll-free service at
1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visit their website at
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Railroad Retirement
Under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts, the
federal Railroad Retirement Board administers retirement and survivor,
unemployment and sickness benefit programs for railroad workers and their
families. In addition, the Railroad Retirement Board has administrative
responsibilities for certain benefit payments and/or Medicare coverage for
railroad workers.
Railroad Retirement Board
1-877-772-5772 (automated) or 312-751-7139 (TTY 312-751-4701);
www.rrb.gov
Veteran’s Administration Building
20 Washington Place, Room 516
Newark, NJ 07102-3127
NIX Federal Building
900 Market Street, Suite 301
Philadelphia, PA 19105-0327
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Federal Civil Service Retirement
The Federal Civil Service Retirement System provides retirement, survivors,
disability, and death benefits to most federal government employees.
For further information contact: Retirement Information Office, US Office
of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20415,
telephone toll-free 1-888-767-6738.
Veterans Pension
To qualify for veterans’ compensation and pensions, you must have a service-
related disability and received an honorable discharge. Veterans who have
served in war, whose incomes are low, will not be considered totally disabled and
eligible for a pension unless the VA determines that they are not employable.
New Jersey Disabled Veterans
New Jersey offers a Disabled Veterans Pension under certain conditions to
veterans identified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having 100%
disability ratings as a result of wartime service. Other benefits for such persons
include – 100% real estate tax exemptions; various licenses at no charge
(provided they meet the necessary qualifications); and, for NJ Civil Service Open
Competitive examinations, veterans are automatically being placed at the top of
the list if they pass. In addition, a blind disabled veteran is eligible for a no-fee
registration for one family-use automobile.
For further information, contact your Local Veterans Service Office or
call the NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs’ toll-free number
1-888-8NJ-VETS (1-888-865-8387) or 609-530-6868 or visit their website
at www.state.nj.us/military.
Private Pensions
Many persons are covered by a pension plan in addition to Social Security.
Generally, all employers must continue pension benefit accruals for persons
working beyond a plan’s normal retirement age. Plan limitations on the amount
of benefits, years of service, or years of participation are permissible if imposed
without regard to age.
Interpretation
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has responsibility for interpreting
minimum standards of the federal private pension laws and ensuring that
company and union pension plans are in compliance with those laws. The basic
law covering private pension plans is the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974 (ERISA). This law established the federal pension insurance
program and provided for individual rights, funding requirements, and investment
rules.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
33
Persons having a question about the interpretation of a specific provision
of these laws should contact the Employee Plans Technical & Actuarial
Division of the IRS at 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 6525,
Washington, DC 20224, telephone toll-free 1-877-829-5500 Monday
through Thursday, 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM exclusive of holidays.
Termination
If a private defined pension plan is terminated, the federal Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) offers protection against the loss of certain
benefits. For information about protection under a terminated plan, please
contact the PBGC at 1200 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026,
telephone 1-800-400-7242 or 202-326-4000. Be sure to have the name of the
pension plan and the employer’s “Employer’s Identification Number” (EIN).
For more information on pension plan regulations in general, or to file a
complaint, contact:
US Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration,
Division of Technical Assistance & Inquiries, 200 Constitution Avenue NW,
Room N-5658, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 1-866-444-3272
(TTY 1-877-889-5627), www.dol.gov. For additional retirement and
health benefit plan questions, call toll-free 1-866-275-7922. English,
Spanish and Mandarin Language service available.
Additional information, referral or assistance for general inquiries is
available by calling 1-800-400-7242 or 202-326-4000. For inquiries about
plan administration please call 1-800-736-2444; for general legal inquiries,
please call 202-326-4020. Information is also available from the Pension
Rights Center, 1350 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036,
telephone 202-296-3776 or toll-free 1-800-420-6550.
Age-related complaints should be filed with the US Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission, 1 Newark Center, 21st Floor, Newark, NJ
07102, telephone toll-free 1-800-669-4000 (TTY 1-800-669-6820).
Additional Federal and New Jersey-Specific Finance and Tax
Information
Federal Income Tax Benefits
In general, federal income tax laws apply to all taxpayers regardless of age.
However, there are certain provisions that give special treatment to older
persons. At age 65, the standard deduction, if you do not itemize deductions, is
increased for both single taxpayers and married taxpayers filing jointly. The
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also allows an addition to the standard deduction
for blindness, regardless of age.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
34
Federal Tax Credit for the Elderly and Disabled
Persons with low income, who are age 65 or over, or under 65 and retired on
permanent and total disability, may be eligible for a Tax Credit for the Elderly and
Disabled, a program that reduces that amount of income tax you owe. In
addition, you must be a U.S. citizen or resident at the end of the tax year, and
have received taxable disability income, and did not reach mandatory retirement
age before the tax year.
For further information, consult IRS Publication 524, “Credit for the
Elderly or Disabled.” This publication may be obtained by calling the
IRS Publications/Forms toll-free telephone 1-800-829-3676.
Taxpayer Advocate Service
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS
whose employees assist taxpayers who are experiencing economic harm, who
are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through
normal channels, or who believe that an IRS system or procedure is not working
as it should. This service of the IRS may be requested through filling out IRS
Form 911.
For further information, call the IRS Taxpayer Advocate toll-free number,
1-877-777-4778 (TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059) or visit their website at
www.irs.gov.
IRS Tax Counseling/Assistance
Through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) and the Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) programs, IRS-trained volunteers go to various neighborhood
locations during tax season to help individuals age 60 and over complete their
tax returns. For further information regarding site locations, contact your Area
Agency on Aging.
For information on exemptions and deductions in calculating taxable
income, please contact the Division of Taxation, NJ Department of the
Treasury toll-free at 1-877-225-1312 or 1-800-323-4400 (pre-recorded
information), or at 609-292-6400.
Money Management
The Money Management Program is a bill paying service developed by AARP
and coordinated by the New Jersey Division of Aging Services. The goal of the
service is to provide guidance and non-intrusive bill paying assistance to
maximize client independence. It provides older or persons who are disabled with
volunteer assistance in budgeting, processing of routine bills, check writing,
managing financial matters and/or reconciling bank accounts.
Fully trained and screened volunteer bill payers are matched by the program
coordinator with clients in need of service. They set up a budget, organize bills
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
35
and prepare checks for the client's signature. Volunteer monitors regularly
review volunteer bill payer reports, comparing them with the established budget,
bank statements and canceled checks.
In New Jersey, the following counties have this program: Burlington, Hunterdon,
Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren.
For additional information about the Money Management Program, contact
your local AAA/ADRC, or call 1-877-222-3737.
Property Tax Relief Programs
Homestead Rebate Program
The Homestead Rebate Program reduced the amount of taxable income (credit
reduces amount of tax due) for eligible homeowners and tenants who pay
property taxes directly or through rent. FORM NJ-1040 (or form HR-1040) must
be filed by the designated deadline. Eligible homeowners receive a tax credit on
the property tax bill.
The homestead property tax rebate is in addition to the State’s other property tax
relief programs. You can still apply for and receive benefits under those
programs if you qualify.
You may be eligible for a homestead rebate if you meet the following conditions:
You must have lived in a principal residence as a homeowner or tenant in
New Jersey on October 1 of the tax year; and
Your gross income for the entire year must meet the income guidelines;
and
Your principal residence must be subject to local property taxes, and
property taxes must have been paid on that residence; and
Your principal residence is a full living unit with its own separate kitchen
and bathroom. Tenants living in dwellings that are not subject to local
property tax are not eligible for the rebate.
For additional information, please contact the Division of Taxation, NJ
Department of Treasury, 50 Barrack St., PO Box 266, Trenton, NJ
08646-0266, telephone toll-free, 1-888-238-1233 or 609-292-6400
(TDD/TTY 1-800-286-6613).
Senior Citizens/Disabled Property Tax Deduction
If you are a property owner in New Jersey, you may be entitled to an annual
property tax deduction of up to $250. To qualify, you must be age 65 or older
(less than 65 if permanently and totally disabled), or a qualified surviving spouse
or civil union partner (age 55 or older and not remarried or recommitted), and
meet the following conditions:
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
36
You are a legal resident of New Jersey for at least one year prior to
October 1
st
;
You reside in and own the dwelling claimed; OR you reside in and own the
dwelling that is assessed as real property; OR you reside as a tenant
shareholder in a cooperative or mutual housing corporation; and it is your
principal place of residence;
Your income, exclusive of Social Security (or similar governmental
pension, disability and retirement program) does not exceed $10,000
during the year for which the deduction is granted;
You are a surviving spouse or civil union partner 55 or more years of age
before December 31
st
of the previous year, and were 55 or more years of
age at the time of the death of the decedent and have not remarried or
recommitted.
To find out if you qualify for the tax deduction, please contact your
Municipal Tax Assessor. For additional information, please contact the
Division of Taxation, NJ Department of the Treasury toll-free at
1-800-323-4400 (pre-recorded information), or 609-292-6400
(TDD/TTY 1-800-286-6613).
Property Tax Reimbursement Program (Senior Freeze)
The Property Tax Reimbursement Program reimburses eligible senior citizens
and disabled persons for property tax increases. The amount of the
reimbursement is the difference between the amount of property taxes that were
due and paid in the “base year” (the first year that you met all eligibility
requirements) and the amount due and paid in the current year for which you are
claiming the reimbursement, provided the amount paid in the current year was
greater. You must meet all eligibility requirements for the base year and for each
succeeding year, up to and including the current year to qualify for the
reimbursement.
You may be eligible if you meet all the following requirements:
You are age 65 or older or receiving Federal Social Security disability
benefits;
You have lived in New Jersey continuously for at least the last 10 years,
as either a homeowner or a renter;
You have owned and lived in your home (or have leased a site in a mobile
home park on which you have placed a manufactured or mobile home that
you own) for at least the last 3 years;
You have paid the full amount of property taxes (or site fees if you are a
mobile home owner) that were due on your home for the base year and for
each succeeding year, up to and including the year for which you are
claiming the reimbursement;
You meet the program’s income limit; and
You file the application by the specified date.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
37
For information about the Property Tax Reimbursement Program
(Senior Freeze) call 1-800-882-6597.
Income limits may change. Visit to the following website to check:
www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ptr/eligibility.shtml
Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Deduction
Under certain conditions, permanently and totally disabled war veterans or their
surviving spouse or civil union partner may be granted full property tax exemption
on their dwelling house and lot. An application for the deduction must be filed in
duplicate with your municipal tax assessor on or before December 31 of the pre-
tax year. Once the claim is filed and allowed by the municipal tax assessor, it will
continue in force from year to year without the necessity for further claim so long
as the claimant is entitled to a veterans’ deduction.
Veterans’ Property Tax Deduction
Veterans who were honorably discharged or released under honorable
conditions from active service during a time of war may claim real estate tax
deductions of $50 annually on homes they own and occupy in New Jersey. A
surviving spouse or civil union partner is also entitled to the deduction as long as
the widow, widower or civil union partner does not remarry or recommit. If both
husband and wife or civil union partners are veterans, each may claim the
deduction for a total of $100 annually. There are no income limitations for the
Veterans’ Deduction.
To determine if you qualify for the Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax
Deduction or the Veterans’ Property Tax Deduction, or to obtain the
necessary form, please contact your municipal tax assessor.
Realty Transfer Fee
Sale of Principal Place of Residence
On both federal and state tax returns, persons age 55 or older who sell their
principal place of residence may exclude from their gross income up to $250,000
for single filers or $500,000 for joint filers of the capital gain on a one-time basis,
provided they owned and occupied the residence for two of the five years ending
on the date of sale. IRS Form 2119 must be filed with the Internal Revenue
Service and the NJ Department of the Treasury the year in which the property is
sold.
Partial Exemption
If you are age 62 or older, blind or disabled, you may be entitled to partial
exemption on your New Jersey Realty Transfer Fee when you sell your principal
place of residence (one or two-family residential dwelling only). Where the value
of the deed is more than $350,000, an additional “general purpose fee” and other
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
38
changes in fees and clarification in the provisions governing realty transfer fees
may be applicable.
To obtain the proper form, contact your municipal tax assessor, or the
Local Property Tax Branch, Division of Taxation, NJ Department of the
Treasury at 609-292-6400.
Bank Accounts
Funds belonging to or held in the name of the decedent, which are deposited in
financial institutions, and which are payable at death to the surviving spouse or
civil union partner, parent(s), grandparent(s), child(ren) or grandchild(ren), may
be transferred without prior clearance from the Division of Taxation. If, however,
there is real estate in the decedent’s name alone, clearance for transfer must still
be obtained from the Division of Taxation.
For further information, please contact the Inheritance Tax Branch,
Division of Taxation, NJ Department of the Treasury at 609-292-5033.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
39
3. LEGAL ISSUES
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
40
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
41
3. Legal Issues
It is important to know your legal rights and to take the necessary steps to protect
yourself and your interests. Therefore, putting your legal affairs in order will give
you peace of mind and make sure that your wishes are known and followed.
Elder Law
Elder law deals with specific legal issues faced by senior citizens. It combines
elements of estate planning, trusts, wills, conservatorships, guardianships and
other issues that confront older adults such as Social Security and Medicare. In
addition, elder law attorneys focus on disability planning including use of durable
powers of attorney, living trusts, advance directives (including treatment
directives and proxy directives), and guardianship.
Disability Law
Disability law is an area of law that overlaps with many other areas of law.
Individuals with disabilities are a protected class under civil rights laws.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Signed into law on July 26, 1990, the ADA is a comprehensive civil rights
law. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment,
state and local government programs, public accommodations,
commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. For more
in-depth information, visit www.ada.gov.
Finding Legal Services
Don’t wait until a crisis to find a lawyer who specializes in legal planning for
seniors. If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to receive
legal help through the Legal Services program at your local Area Agency on
Aging or through the local bar association.
Legal services are provided under a number of existing programs. They include
programs funded under the Legal Services Corporation Act, the Older Americans
Act, and Title XX of the Social Security Act. Legal resources you may find useful
include:
Lawyer Referral Service in New Jersey, a service of county bar
associations, can often recommend an attorney near your home. To find
the phone number for the bar association in your county, call the New
Jersey Bar Association at 732-249-5000, or visit www.njsba.com.
Legal Services of New Jersey is an independent nonprofit organization
that coordinates a statewide legal assistance service. They provide free
legal help to low-income individuals in civil matters. Call 1-888-576-5529,
or visit their website at www.lsnj.org.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
42
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) will help you
locate an attorney. Visit its website at www.naela.org and click on
“Public,” then “Directory,” and enter your city or Zip Code. NAELA also
offers a guide to help choose an attorney. Visit its website and click on
“Public,” then “Questions and Answers When Looking for an Elder Law
Attorney.”
The AARP Legal Services Network is a complimentary member benefit
for AARP members and their spouses/partners and provides easy access
to a large directory of attorneys. Where available these attorneys have
agreed to provide specific benefits to AARP members and their
spouses/partners at discounted rates. Visit their website at
www.aarplsn.com.
Legal Aid
Below are the Legal Services Offices and Legal Aid Offices that provide free
legal assistance and have expertise in areas of the law that affect seniors:
Cape May Crt Hse 609-465-3001
Atlantic City 609-348-4200
Hackensack 201-487-2166
Mount Holly 609-261-1088
Camden 856-964-2010
Newark 973-624-4500
Jersey City 201-792-6363
New Brunswick 732-249-7600
Freehold 732-414-6750
Toms River 732-608-7794
Trenton 609-695-6249
Morristown 973-285-6911
Somerville 908-231-0840
Newton 973-383-7400
Elizabeth 908-354-4340
Belvidere 908-475-2010
Woodbury 856-848-5360 Perth Amboy 732-324-1613
Flemington 908-782-7979 Vineland 856-691-0494
Paterson 973-523-2900
Additionally, the Community Health Law Project provides free legal and
advocacy services on civil matters for low-income people with physical and
mental disabilities. The Community Health Law Project offices are listed below.
Their website is www.chlp.org.
Bloomfield 973-680-5599
South Orange 973-275-1175
Trenton 609-392-5553
Elizabeth 908-355-8282
Collingswood 856-858-9500
Eatontown 732-380-1012
Hackensack 201-996-9100 Mt. Holly 609-261-3453
Carneys Point 856-299-3200 Jersey City 201-963-6295
Toms River 732-349-6714 Northfield 856-858-9500
Important Legal Documents
Many important decisions concerning finances, health care, and end-of-life care
require legal documents. Preparing these documents in advance can save you
and your loved ones a lot of time, money, and stress.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
43
The following is a basic introduction to the important legal documents you should
consider preparing for yourself and your family – it is NOT intended to substitute
for professional legal advice.
Advance Directives
An Advance Directive is a legal document that you can complete on your own
that can help ensure your preferences for various medical treatments are
followed if you become unable to make your own healthcare decisions. The New
Jersey Advance Directives for Health Care Act states that your advance directive
only goes into effect if your physician has evaluated you and determined that you
are unable to understand your diagnosis, treatment options or the possible
benefits and harms of the treatment options. New Jersey has two kinds of
Advance Directives, a "Proxy Directive" (a.k.a. Power of Attorney for Healthcare)
and an "Instruction Directive" (a.k.a. Living Will). It is your decision whether to
have both kinds or to just have one of them.
Legislation signed into law on Dec. 21, 2011, enables patients to indicate their
preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment. The law calls for the creation of a
standardized Practitioner Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form that
is signed by a patient's attending physician or advanced practice nurse and
provides instructions for health care personnel to follow for a range of life-
prolonging interventions. This form becomes part of a patient's medical records,
following the patient from one healthcare setting to another, including hospital,
home, nursing home, or hospice.
Additional information and resources on Advance Directives are available on-line:
New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services' website at
www.nj.gov/health/advancedirective and the
National Library of Medicine's website at
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/advancedirectives.html.
Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA)
DPOA is a document that grants a person or persons (“Attorney-in-fact”) the legal
powers to perform on your behalf (“Grantor”) certain acts and functions
specifically outlined in the document. This power is effective immediately and
continues even if the grantor becomes disabled or incompetent. The powers
usually granted include real estate, banking and financial transactions, personal
and family maintenance, government benefits, estate trust and beneficiary
transactions. This type of document does not authorize the "Attorney-in-fact" to
make healthcare decisions.
Proxy Directive (a.k.a. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care)
A Proxy Directive is a document you use to appoint a person to make healthcare
decisions for you in the event you become unable to make them yourself. This
document goes into effect whether your inability to make healthcare decisions is
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
44
temporary because of an accident or permanent because of a disease. The
person that you appoint is known as your “healthcare representative" and they
are responsible for making the same decisions you would have made under the
circumstances. If they are unable to determine what you would want in a specific
situation they are to base their decision on what they think is in your best interest.
Things to consider:
You can appoint your spouse/domestic partner, parent, adult child, family
member, friend, religious/spiritual advisor or any other adult.
Your healthcare representative should be someone who knows your
values, beliefs and preferences well enough to know what treatment
decisions you would want them to make for various medical conditions.
The person should be someone with good judgment and who will be a
strong advocate on your behalf. They should also be someone you believe
will respect your wishes even if they disagree with them, especially when it
comes to your preferences about the use of life-sustaining treatment.
Your healthcare representative should also be someone you trust as they
will have access to all of your confidential medical records.
Establish open communication.
You should give your healthcare representative a copy of your Proxy
Directive (and Instruction Directive if you have one).
Instruction Directive (a.k.a. Living Will)
An instruction directive is a document you use to tell your physician and family
about the kinds of situations you would want or not want to have life-sustaining
treatment in the event you are unable to make your own healthcare decisions.
You can also include a description of your beliefs, values and preferences for
general care and treatment. This will guide your physician and family when they
have to make healthcare decisions for you in situations not specifically covered
by your advance directive.
Do Not Resuscitate/Do Not Intubate (DNR/DNI) Order
If you do not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or to have a breathing
tube inserted, ask the doctor to write a “Do Not Resuscitate Order” (DNR), and/or
“Do Not Intubate Order” (DNI). It is also essential to keep your DNR/DNI Order
visible and accessible at all times so that emergency medical personnel, such as
EMTs and paramedics, know that you do not want them to attempt to resuscitate
you. It is important to know that emergency medical personnel in New Jersey
are not required to honor DNR orders, so you should have your doctor call the
local ambulance service to ensure your wishes are honored. If you are in a
nursing home or other healthcare facility have your doctor make sure the facility
will not call emergency medical personnel if you do not want to be resuscitated.
Guardianship
Guardianship (or conservatorship) is a legal process used when a person can no
longer make sound decisions to protect his or her person or property, or when
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
45
the court establishes that an individual has become susceptible to fraud or undue
influence. Because establishing a guardianship removes considerable rights
from the individual, it should only be used after other alternatives have been
ineffective or are unavailable. The court decides who the guardian (sometimes
called a conservator) will be, whether that is a family member, friend,
professional certified guardian, public guardian (such as a state agency), a bank,
a volunteer, or a nonprofit agency.
The court also decides how much authority to give to the guardian. A guardian
might be appointed only to make decisions about living arrangements, personal
needs, and medical care or a guardian might be appointed only to make
decisions about finances and property. If full guardianship is not necessary, you
may want to consider having a Power of Attorney document created that would
allow someone to make decisions based on an individual’s best interest (see
previous section – Legal Documents).
Families can pursue guardianship in three different ways: by representing
themselves (pro se); through an attorney; or with the assistance of a State
Agency – The Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults or the Bureau of
Guardianship Services.
Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults (OPG)
The OPG is appointed guardian by the New Jersey Superior Court when there is
no willing or appropriate family or friend to become the guardian of an
incapacitated person 60 years of age or older. The OPG is usually appointed
plenary guardian of both person and property. In this capacity, OPG addresses
all the medical and property issues of the ward.
Bureau of Guardianship Services (BGS)
Part of the Department of Human Services’ Office of Legal, Regulatory and
Guardian Services, the BGS exists solely to provide guardianship services to
people with developmental disabilities who are DDD-eligible. Guardianship may
be considered only when it is clearly necessary and only to the extent that it is
required. The BGS’ authority is limited to guardianship of the person only, not of
his or her property. BGS maintains a waiting list of individuals who have
requested assistance with guardianship.
Additional information on guardianships can be found at:
The NJ Office of the Public Guardian website describes its services and
has information on alternatives. Go to
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/pg/.
The Bureau of Guardianship Services provides additional resources,
FAQs and a Fact Sheet about their services on their website. Visit
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/services/guardianship.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
46
The National Guardianship Association, Inc. (NGA) provides standards
for guardians. On its website at www.guardianship.org, each standard is
explained in detail and provides guidance to guardians in the private and
public sectors.
Wills and Trusts
It is essential to have an up-to-date will and/or trust that designates financial,
estate, and legal control and distribution. You may have few assets, but even
with simple estates it is generally advisable to have an attorney create a
document that will protect your wishes about your estate. Check with your union
or call Legal Services in your area to see if you can get assistance paying for
legal help.
Protecting the Rights of Elders
Although many individuals are quite savvy when it comes to being consumers
and in standing up for their rights, others can be vulnerable because of
diminished capabilities, lack of knowledge about financial matters, or trouble in
navigating complex voicemail and/or on-line instructions.
Protection from Abuse
Sometime the frailty and dependence of seniors and individuals with disabilities
can make them targets for abuse, neglect or exploitation. There are programs to
help, whether the individual is living in the community or is residing in a nursing
home or other long-term care institution.
Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services (APS) is a program that helps state residents, aged 18
or older, who lack the capacity to understand their circumstances and cannot
protect themselves. Trained workers from APS programs in each county
respond to requests for help by making a personal visit and finding ways to
reduce the risk of harm. APS workers make every effort to help individuals
remain in their homes.
APS investigates all complaints of suspected abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation
of adults. A complaint to APS generates a thorough assessment, which includes
a private face-to-face interview with the potentially at-risk adult to determine if
intervention is warranted. All information generated by the investigation is
confidential. A report of suspected abuse may be made to the Division of Aging
Services’ Information and Referral toll-free number or to the APS office in the
county where the individual lives.
To find the Adult Protective Services Provider in your county, see
Appendix A, call 1-800-792-8820, or go to
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/aps/.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
47
The National Center on Elder Abuse also provides information and
assistance on its website at www.ncea.aoa.gov. Their information desk
telephone number is 1-855-500-3537.
If the victim of abuse, neglect or exploitation is under age 18, call the
Department of Children and Families’ hotline at 1-877-652-2873. Their
website is www.state.nj.us/dcf.
Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly
The New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly
investigates allegations of abuse and exploitation of residents of long-term care
facilities who are 60 years of age and older. The office is charged with serving
as an advocate for residents who are unable, because of illness or vulnerability,
to advocate for them. The office investigates, resolves and/or refers complaints
to the appropriate agency. By law, callers may remain anonymous and case files
are closed to the public.
To file a complaint or for more information contact:
The Office of the Ombudsman at 1-877-582-6995, or visit their website
at www.state.nj.us/ooie.
NJ Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing
This division is responsible for ensuring that nursing facilities comply fully with
mandatory state and federal regulations. The division conducts both annual
facility surveys and complaint investigations, including complaints for individuals
under the age of 60 who reside in a nursing facility.
For further information, or to file a complaint regarding services, please
contact the Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing at
1-800-792-9770. To file an on-line complaint go to
http://web.doh.state.nj.us/fc/search.aspx.
Advocacy
Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ)
Formerly known as New Jersey Protection & Advocacy, Inc., DRNJ is our state’s
designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities. Their
mission is to advocate and advance the human, civil, and legal rights of persons
with disabilities.
Visit their website at www.drnj.org or call 1-800-922-7233
(TTY 609-633-7106) for more information.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
48
Consumer Protection
Seniors and individuals with disabilities have often been the target of unethical
business practices, such as abuse of guardianship and powers of attorney,
lending scams, and Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The following organizations
are working to prevent and/or investigate and prosecute fraud:
General Assistance
AARP provides extensive information to help seniors on a range of
consumer issues, including scams, investment fraud, fixing homes,
financing homes, utilities, and smart shopping. Visit their website at
www.aarp.org and click on “Money.”
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs is charged with
protecting the public from fraud, deceit and misrepresentation in the sale
of goods and services. Report allegations to 1-800-242-5846, 1-877-746-
7850 or visit their website at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works to prevent fraudulent,
deceptive, and unfair business practices and to help consumers to spot,
stop, and avoid them. To find information or file a complaint, visit their
website at www.ftc.gov, or call 1-877-382-4357 (TTY 866-653-4261).
National Consumer League’s Fraud Center has a website where you
can file a complaint on-line at www.fraud.org.
Specialized Assistance
Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Hotline: 1-888-937-2835 or 609-292-1272.
Medicare Fraud, Office of the Inspector General: 1-800-447-8477 (TTY
1-800-377-4950), or website: http://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-and-
resources/report-fraud-and-abuse/fraud-and-abuse.html
Social Security Fraud, Office of the Inspector General:
1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101),
or website www.ssa.gov/oig/hotline.
National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry gives you an opportunity to limit the
telemarketing calls you receive on both your home and cell phone. Once you
register your phone number, telemarketers covered by the National Do Not Call
Registry have up to 31 days from the date you register to stop calling you. The
Federal Trade Commission manages the National Do Not Call Registry.
To register call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), or visit their
website at www.donotcall.gov.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
49
Identity Theft - Information and Assistance
The federal government reports that identity theft is the fastest-growing financial
crime. The crime usually involves the interception of personal financial data or
the fraudulent acquisition of credit cards or other financial products in another
person’s name.
If you believe you are the victim of identity theft, report the crime to your local
police department. For additional information on how to file a complaint and what
to do if you believe you are the victim of identity theft, contact the New Jersey
Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846.
Rights of Grandparents
Visitation Rights
Under the law, grandparents have the right to visit with their grandchildren.
Should this right be denied, a grandparent or any sibling of a child residing in this
State may make application before the Superior Court, in accordance with the
Rules of the Court, for an order for visitation. To make application to the court for
visitation, the grandparent(s) should have the assistance of an attorney. For
additional information, persons 60 or over should contact his/her Area Agency
on Aging at 1-877-222-3737.
Kinship Navigator
The NJ Department of Human Services has available information for
grandparents who take on a parenting role or have issues regarding child
visitations. To request information about the Kinship Navigator Program call
2-1-1, or visit their website at http://www.nj.gov/dcf/families/support/kinship.
Age Discrimination
Age discrimination is illegal and there are steps you can take to protect yourself
and others from this practice. Reporting age discrimination is important and
should be done in a timely manner. The following is a list of resources and
information on where to file a grievance if you experience discrimination first
hand.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
The Act protects most persons 40 years of age or older from employment
discrimination based on age. The ADEA’s protections apply to both employees
and job applicants. The ADEA specifically prohibits an age limit except in the
rare circumstances where age has proven to be a bona fide occupational
qualification.
The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (OWBPA)
The OWBPA is an amendment to the ADEA to prohibit employers from
withholding benefits from older employees. It protects the employee from signing
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
50
any agreements that would inappropriately cause them to surrender their right to
file a discrimination claim.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Charges of unlawful discrimination due to age must be filed with the U.S. Equal
Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC). Every effort should be made to
act on a discriminatory action as soon as possible given the strict time limits
under the ADEA. You must file a charge within 180 days of the discriminatory
act. You should also attempt to file a timely charge under applicable state law.
Complaints of age discrimination may also be filed with the following agencies:
EEOC New Jersey Office, 1 Newark Center, 21
st
Floor, Newark, NJ
07102; telephone: 1-800-669-4000 (TTY 1-800-669-6820); website:
www.eeoc.gov.
NJ Dept. of Law and Public Safety, Division on Civil Rights, PO Box
090, Trenton, NJ 08625-0090; telephone: 609-292-4605
(TTY 609-292-1785); website: www.state.nj.us/lps.
US Dept. of Labor, Frances Perkins Bldg., 200 Constitution Ave. NW,
Washington, DC 20210; telephone: 1-866-487-2365;
(TTY 1-877-889-5627); website: www.dol.gov.
HIPAA Privacy Rule
A federal law, the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996
(HIPAA) gives you rights over your personal health information and sets rules
and limits on who can look at and receive your health information. To learn more
about your health information privacy rights, including how to file a complaint,
please visit www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa or call 1-866-627-7748.
Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
Government records in New Jersey, with certain exceptions, are accessible to
the public for inspection, examination, and copying. If you would like to see a
public record, contact the agency you believe has the record using their on-line
form at www.nj.gov/opra.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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4. HEALTH CARE
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
52
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
53
4. Health Care
Managing your health care needs can be challenging. This section describes
some of those challenges and provides helpful resources.
Record Keeping
In addition to having multiple health conditions, you may be under the care of
multiple doctors or specialists and be prescribed a variety of medications. This
can make keeping track of important medical information difficult. You may want
to create a notebook or folder containing names and phone numbers for all the
health care providers you see, the name and phone of your healthcare
representative as well as the dates of major medical tests and/or surgeries, a list
of conditions, dietary restrictions, allergies, and a complete medication list with
current dosages. You should also include a copy of your advance directive.
We have included a medication list you can use in Appendix X.
Monitoring Chronic Health Conditions
Chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease may require daily care to
monitor blood levels, dress wounds, or give injections. There are national
associations that address various chronic health conditions, such as the
American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. These
organizations and their local chapters can provide training, support and
assistance.
For individuals with disabilities, the prevention of secondary conditions (a
condition that results from a specific primary disability, birth defect or medical
condition) is an important focus of care. Many organizations provide an
abundance of information on this subject.
To locate an organization specific to your disability or chronic health
condition, use an Internet search engine like Yahoo or Google.
Finding a Doctor
Not every doctor who practices primary care medicine specializes in geriatrics or
issues pertaining to individuals with disabilities. When managing your health
care needs it is important to find a primary care physician who accepts your
insurance and is experienced with conditions that are common for the aged and
disabled populations.
Organizations that can help you find a doctor include:
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
54
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Foundation for Health in
Aging offers a referral service to physicians who are members of AGS
and are board-certified in either family practice or internal medicine. Their
website is www.healthinaging.org. Their telephone number is
1-800-563-4916.
The American Medical Association offers an on-line search service by
city and state or by specialty. Go to www.ama-assn.org. Their
telephone number is 1-800-621-8335.
The Medical Society of New Jersey also operates an on-line physician
finder service at www.msnj.org. Their telephone number is
609-896-1766.
Making the Most of Your Doctor Visit
Time with your doctor is valuable - make the most of it. Write down and take with
you those questions or issues you want to discuss. Ask questions or express
concerns about your condition and recommended treatment regime. If
something is unclear, ask the doctor to repeat or further explain what he told you.
You may also wish to ask a family member or friend to be present during an
initial consultation, the examination (if possible), and afterwards, when the doctor
discusses findings and treatment recommendations. It is also important to let
your doctor know who you want to make healthcare decisions for you in the
event you become unable to make them yourself. You may also want to talk to
your doctor about your beliefs, values and general preferences for care and
treatment, including situations in which you would want or not want to have life-
sustaining treatment. This conversation should be documented in an Advance
Directive, with a copy given to your doctor.
Additional resources you may find helpful include:
The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has prepared a
list of questions you can print off their website and take with you to the
doctor. It is available on-line at www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer.
The National Institute on Health has a “Talking with Your Doctor”
section on its website at
www.nihseniorhealth.gov/talkingwithyourdoctor/toc.html.
Hospitalization and Discharge
At some point in your life, you may be admitted to a hospital to receive medical
treatment. When the immediate medical crisis is resolved you will be discharged
with follow-up instructions and/or a doctor’s note for further treatment. Whether
you are discharged to a rehabilitation facility, health care facility or directly home,
depends on your needs, abilities and wishes.
Discharge to Rehabilitation Facilities
When indicated, patients can be discharged for short-term follow-up care at an
acute or sub-acute rehabilitation facility prior to returning home. These facilities
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
55
provide continued medical monitoring, nursing, and personal care, as well as the
needed occupational, speech and physical therapy treatments. It is during this
rehab stay that continued strength and mobility training takes place prior to your
return home.
Short-term rehabilitation stays are a covered benefit of Medicare as long as
certain criteria are met. If there is a potential need for Medicaid to be a payer
source, your discharge planner at the hospital will make a referral to the State
Office of Community Choice Options to send a Community Choice Counselor
(CCC) or a Managed Care Organization (MCO) if enrolled in New Jersey Family
Care (Medicaid State Plan), to conduct a nursing facility pre-admission screening
(PAS). Prior to discharge, the CCC or MCO will conduct an in-depth care needs
assessment. This assessment is used to determine if you meet nursing facility
level of care for Medicaid eligibility.
Once in the rehab, facility physicians and a multi-disciplinary team will assess
your progress during rehabilitation and help you and your caregiver to
understand your capacity to return home, including what in-home care services,
home modifications and assistive devices/technologies might be needed, or if a
supervised environment might be required.
Discharge to Home
Things to keep in mind prior to discharge to home include:
Timing: Make sure that you agree with the doctor’s assessment that you
are ready to go home. You or your caregiver may need to advocate for
more time in rehab, and this may involve complex insurance issues about
coverage that exceeds certain predetermined time limits.
Transportation: Make sure you have adequate support for getting home
safely. A car ride may be fine, but sometimes you may need a wheelchair
van or another type of accessible vehicle. You should receive help from
the discharge planner in making these arrangements. Medicare may
cover transportation fees if certain criteria are met. A medical necessity
form signed by your physician is required for Medicare reimbursement.
Services: Make sure that you have the necessary skilled nursing care,
physical therapy, and/or other personal care services that you need in
place before you go home. Medicare may cover your skilled nursing care
if certain criteria are met.
Follow-up/contact person: Before you are discharged, make sure you
understand the kind of follow-up needed. Are there doctor appointments
that have been made, or do you need to make them? Are there
prescriptions that need to be filled by the pharmacy? Who should you call
with any concerns or in an emergency situation?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Centers for Primary Health Care
New Jersey’s Centers for Primary Health Care (CPHC) are medical facilities
offering community healthcare on a free or low-cost basis. Almost all clinics
provide care for acute, non-emergent conditions. Care is generally provided to
persons who have lower or limited income, and no health insurance, including
persons who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.
Many health clinics also provide a full range of primary care (including
preventative care) and care for chronic conditions. Services provided by these
centers may include:
Pediatric Services
Women’s Health/Prenatal
Care
Adolescent Health
Internal and Family Medicine
Geriatrics
Mental Health
Dental Care
Nutritional Counseling (WIC)
Health Education
Evaluation for Sexually
Transmitted Diseases
HIV/AIDS Counseling and
Testing
Laboratory Services
Pharmacy Services
Patient Transportation
A list of Centers for Primary Health Care can be found in Appendix D.
Veterans Medical Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a comprehensive medical
benefits package to certain persons who served in the active military, naval or air
service and who were discharged or released under conditions other than a
dishonorable discharge. Some family members of veterans may also receive
medical benefits through the VA. The provision of services is dependent each
year on federal funding of the VA program.
The VA provides coverage for basic and preventive health care, which includes
inpatient and outpatient care for medical, surgical, and mental health care,
including care for substance abuse. Also covered are prescription and over-the-
counter drugs, home health services, hospice and extended care, periodic
physical examinations, immunizations, vision care and many other health care
services. Co-payments are sometimes required.
For additional information, visit the NJ Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs website at www.nj.gov/military or contact the New
Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, or the Veterans
Service Office in your county. A complete list can be found in
Appendix Q and R.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Eye Health
Diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration can
significantly impact an individual’s independence including their ability to drive,
enjoy recreational activities, and read. It is therefore important that you maintain
regular eye checkups.
Find an Eye MD is a service coordinated by The American Academy of
Ophthalmology. Visit www.aao.org/find_eyemd.cfm to locate an
Ophthalmologist in your area.
The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
(CBVI) provides programs on the prevention of blindness and eye health
service. See Appendix E or visit their website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/home/index.html.
Ear Health
Depending on the cause, hearing loss can range from mild to profound and can
be temporary or permanent. If left untreated or undiagnosed, it can contribute to
depression, social isolation, and a loss of independence. Hearing aids and other
devices can help enhance your quality of life by helping you adapt to hearing
loss. Insurance coverage is limited for adults so be certain to check with your
insurance provider as to the limits of your coverage prior to purchasing hearing
aids.
Additional Resources that you may find useful include:
The NJ Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) provides
advocacy and assists consumers to gain access to programs, services
and information routinely available to others. The DDHH also operates an
equipment distribution program. For information call
1-800-792-8339 (V/TTY) or 609-588-2648, fax 609-984-0390, or visit their
website www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddhh/home/index.html.
The NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services
offers a program that provides a $100 reimbursement to eligible
individuals who purchase a hearing aid. For more information on the
Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (HAAAD) program
and to obtain an application, call toll-free 1-800-792-9745.
The League for the Hard of Hearing is a not-for-profit hearing
rehabilitation and human services agency for infants, children and adults
who are hard of hearing, deaf, and deaf-blind. Visit their website at
www.lhh.org.
Dental Care
If you have difficulty accessing appropriate dental care due to insurance or
financial restraints, you may need to get care at a dental clinic. Dental clinics are
located throughout the state. You are advised to call a local clinic for an
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
58
appointment and ask about required documentation to prove your income or
residency.
American Dental Association (ADA) at www.ada.org provides an online
search for ADA Member Dentists.
The NJ Division of Family Health Services produces a dental clinic
directory, titled Dial a Smile. To request a directory or additional
information, call or write the NJ Div. of Family Health Services, PO Box
364, Trenton, NJ 08652-0364; telephone: 1-800-328-3838
(TTY 1-800-852-7897); website: www.state.nj.us/health/fhs.
To locate a dentist who accepts Medicaid, please call the Medical
Assistance Hotline at 1-800-356-1561.
The Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, the State’s dental school,
provides a webpage dedicated to oral health at
http://sdm.rutgers.edu/patients/njds.htm. They also provide clinics at a
reduced rate. For additional information call 973-972-4242.
Dental Lifeline Network of New Jersey provides access to dental care
and education for people who cannot afford it and have a permanent
disability; are elderly: age 65 or older; or who are medically fragile. Visit
the website at www.dentallifeline.org/new-jersey/, or call 732-821-3056.
Senior Dent is a program sponsored by the NJ Dental Association that
affords eligible seniors the opportunity to obtain comprehensive oral health
treatment at a minimum 15% discount. To obtain an application, call
1-800-831-6532 or 732-821-9400.
Nutrition
Maintaining good nutrition may reduce your risk of many chronic diseases and
secondary conditions, therefore increasing your chances for a longer life.
Nutrition help is available in the community from both government programs and
charitable organizations.
Congregate or Group Meals
This service, administered by the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in each county,
provides at least one hot nutritious meal per day, five or more days per week.
These meals, along with counseling, socialization, and other services, are usually
provided in locations such as senior centers, schools, or churches. The program
is available to all persons age 60 or over and their spouses, regardless of age.
Participants are provided with an opportunity to voluntarily contribute whatever
they can afford toward the cost of these meals. Reservations are required, in
most instances, 24 hours in advance.
Home-Delivered Meals
The Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), through grantees, provide one (or
sometimes more) hot meal a day at least five days per week to older persons
who are homebound due to illness, incapacitating disability, or isolation. This
program is federally funded and serves only persons age 60 or older. A meal
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
59
may be provided to the spouse, if it is in the best interest of the homebound older
person being served. This federal program has been supplemented with state
legislation providing nutrition services on weekends and holidays for frail eligible
participants. A formal needs assessment is required for participation in these
nutrition programs; however, there is no strict income requirement.
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
These programs provide an opportunity for the state’s farmers to direct market
their locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs to nutritionally at risk
pregnant, breast-feeding, postpartum women, and children 2-5 years old, as well
as eligible seniors 60 years of age and older. Participants in the FMNP receive
four $5 vouchers valid June 1
st
through November 30th to purchase locally grown
produce.
Privately Funded Programs
In addition to the home-delivered meal programs, which are federally/state
funded, there are privately funded programs sponsored by churches and various
civic organizations, which offer meals to the disabled, the isolated, the
temporarily ill shut-ins, and others in need.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Formerly called Food Stamps, this program provides coupons to purchase food.
The program is available to low-income households, including families, couples
without children, individuals, seniors, disabled persons, legal immigrants and
victims of family violence. For more information call the USDA’s Food Stamp
Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-221-5689 or for New Jersey residents,
1-800-792-9773.
Additional resources that you may find helpful include:
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) at
www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/fn/fooddistrib/tefap.html is a
program designed to distribute free federally donated food to eligible,
needy persons.
Rutgers University provides a list of food banks and pantry locations
in your county. Visit their website at http://rah.rutgers.edu/get-
involved/local-pantries.
New Jersey Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs at
www.nj.gov/health/ccp/npap/index.shtml is a resource guide and
directory of programs promoting nutrition and physical activity for NJ
residents. Individuals can use this resource to find available programs
in their area.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Assistive Devices / Technology
Assistive technology is a term that describes devices and services created and
used to help individuals with disabilities and the elderly live more independently
and productively, therefore enabling them to participate fully in every aspect of
life.
Types of Assistive Devices
Just as there are many different types of disabilities, many different categories of
assistive devices and services are available to help overcome those disabilities.
A few examples of assistive technology follow:
Communication equipment, such as a telephone amplifier.
Special computer software that enables access to the Internet, or basic
hardware, such as a modified keyboard or mouse that makes the
computer easier to use.
Audio books or Braille writing tools.
Job-related items, such as special types of chairs or pillows for
someone who works at a desk or a back brace for someone who does
physical labor.
Power wheelchairs, stairways or wheel chair lifts.
Paying for Assistive Technology
No single private insurance plan or public program will pay for all types of
assistive technology. However, Medicare Part B will cover up to 80 percent of
the cost of assistive technology if the items being purchased meet the definition
of “durable medical equipment.” This is defined as devices that are “primarily
and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, and generally are not useful to
a person in the absence of illness or injury.” A physician’s order is required for
Medicare reimbursement.
To find out if Medicare will cover the cost of a particular piece of assistive
technology, call 1-800-633-4227. For TTY/TFF, call 1-877-486-2048. You
can also visit their website at www.medicare.gov.
New Jersey Medicaid may pay for some assistive technology. Other payment
options include private health insurance and out-of-pocket payment. Additionally,
subsidy programs provide some types of assistive technology at a reduced cost
or for free. Many businesses and not-for-profit groups have set up subsidy
programs that include discounts, grants, or rebates to get consumers to try a
specific product. Individuals are cautioned about participating in subsidy
programs that are run by businesses with commercial interests in the product or
service because of the potential for fraud.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
61
For more information on Medicaid coverage of assistive technology, call
the NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services at
1-800-356-1561, or visit their website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/home/index.html
Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC)
The Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) serves as the state’s
federally funded assistive technology project through a sub-contract with the NJ
Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Its purpose is to assist
individuals in overcoming barriers in the system and making assistive technology
more accessible to individuals with disabilities throughout the state. You can
access the center through Disability Rights New Jersey by calling
1-800-922-7233 (TTY: 609-633-7106, or 711). Their website is www.drnj.org.
Additional resources that you may find useful include:
Back in Action is a website that connects people with available assistive
technology. The website is http://backinaction.njpanda.org.
Advancing Opportunities, formerly Cerebral Palsy of NJ, operates a
Technology Lending Center that provides a wide variety of assistive
technology and adaptive equipment used for daily living. Go to
www.advopps.org/, or telephone 1-888-322-1918, ext. 536
(TTY 1-609-882-0620).
Medication
Medication Management
While everyone needs to be careful about taking medications, older adults need
to be even more cautious because:
Older people often take more medicines than younger people.
Reactions from mixing two or more drugs in the body, called “drug
interactions”, can cause side effects.
Older people may react differently to medicine, especially when you
consider the metabolism of older adults as being much slower, leading to
a delayed response to the medication and a longer process to eliminate
the excess.
The more you know about your medicines and the more you talk with your health
care professional, the easier it is to avoid problems with your medication.
Medication Considerations
When being prescribed a new medication, it is important to ask:
How may this new medicine interact with other prescriptions and over-the-
count medicine (name them all) you are taking?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
62
If you are allergic to certain drugs, is this new drug safe to take?
What is the name of the drug? Can a generic substitute be used?
Why are you being prescribed the medication?
What is the proper method for taking the medication? Are there guidelines
about taking the medication with food, or foods/alcohol that should be
avoided?
What are the common side effects of the medication? What actions
should you take if such symptoms occur?
Is there a stop date?
What if you skip a dose?
In addition to understanding your medications, it is important to maintain an
updated medication list, which includes information such as:
Date prescribed
Name of drug
Dosage
Directions for taking
medication
Reason prescribed
Stop date
A blank Medication Form is available in Appendix Y for your use.
Medication Management Reminder Devices
People can be overwhelmed with the number of medications taken on a daily
basis. It can be hard to remember what each drug is for, when you should take
it, and how you should take it. There are many options on the market to help you
organize your medication. There are also programs available to help manage
your medicines safely. Simple methods you can use include a pillbox or a
calendar.
There are also medication reminder devices available at medical supply stores or
on the Internet to purchase. The devices come in many forms, shapes and sizes;
from alarm and vibrating watches to a fully automatic dispenser with alarm
systems. Costs vary from a basic two-dollar plastic pill organizer to a couple
hundred dollars for an electronic pill dispenser with alarms and telephone
reassurance. There are some public programs that will cover some or all of the
costs of medication reminders or dispensers such as Global Options (GO) for
Long Term Care, JACC or the Statewide Respite Care Program.
To learn more about this option, contact your Area Agency on Aging
(AAA) and/or Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at
1-877-222-3737.
Things to consider:
Does the individual have the mental capacity to self-medicate?
If a device is to be used, who will be responsible for filling the medication
box?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
63
How to Save Money on Medications
Medicines are an important part of treating an illness, often enabling people to
remain active and independent. Anyone who takes medicine knows they can
also be very expensive. Medicare and Medicaid have prescription drug benefits
(see the Insurance section for more details). Here are some ideas that may help
to lower drug costs:
Request samples when prescribed new medications.
Ask your physician for a generic drug prescription when appropriate.
Buy large amounts of medicines that are taken all the time. Capitalize on
mail-order plans, which frequently offer lower co-pays for a three-month
supply.
Call around to local pharmacies/department stores to check pricing and to
ask about discount programs.
Ask if senior citizen discounts are offered.
Buy store-brand or generic-brand over-the-counter medications.
The following programs may also prove helpful.
Prescription Drug Price Registry
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs offers an on-line Prescription Drug
Price Registry that helps consumers compare the retail prices charged by many
pharmacies for the 150 most-frequently prescribed prescription drugs. The
registry is posted at www.njdrugprices.nj.gov, or you may call 1-800-242-5846.
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
The PAAD program helps eligible New Jersey residents pay for prescription
drugs and related supplies. Only drugs approved by the Food and Drug
Administration are covered. Drugs purchased outside the State of New Jersey
are not covered, nor is any pharmaceutical product whose manufacturer has not
agreed to provide rebates to the State of New Jersey.
Eligibility Requirements:
A New Jersey resident;
65 years of age or older, or 18 years of age or older and receiving Social
Security Title II Disability benefits;
Meet the program’s annual income limit;
All Medicare-eligible PAAD beneficiaries are required to enroll in a
Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
The PAAD co-payment was $5 for each covered generic drug prescription and
$7 for each brand name drug prescription. PAAD beneficiaries may pay less for
generic drugs if their Medicare prescription drug plan charges them less than the
co-payment for generics.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
64
For additional information on PAAD, call toll-free 1-800-792-9745, or visit
their website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/home/paaddetail.html.
Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program
The Senior Gold Prescription Discount program is similar to PAAD, but for
individuals with incomes up to $10,000 higher than the level established for
PAAD eligibility.
Eligibility Requirements:
A New Jersey resident;
65 years of age or older, or 18 years of age or older and receiving Social
Security Title II Disability benefits;
Meet the program’s annual income limit (limit is $10,000 higher than for
PAAD);
All Medicare-eligible Senior Gold beneficiaries are required to enroll in a
Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
The Senior Gold co-payment is $15 plus 50% of the remaining cost of each
covered prescription. Once members reach annual out-of-pocket expenses
exceeding $2,000 for single persons or $3,000 for married couples, they pay only
a flat $15 co-payment per prescription for the balance of that eligibility period.
Senior Gold can help you when you are in the Medicare Prescription Drug
Benefit Program’s donut hole (see a description of Medicare Part D in the
Insurance section).
For additional information on Senior Gold, call toll-free 1-800-792-9745,
or visit their website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/seniorgold/.
Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) – Also known as “Extra Help”
Extra help paying your Medicare drug plan’s monthly premium, annual
deductible, coinsurance and copayments is available to eligible low-income
Medicare Part D enrollees. To qualify for the program’s full subsidy, a person's
annual gross income must not exceed 135% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
and their financial resources such as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds must be
within established limits. A partial subsidy is offered to individuals with incomes
between 135% and 150% of the FPL.
For more information on these programs contact the following agencies:
For SLMB, QI-1 and LIS, contact Pharmaceutical Assistance to the
Aged and Disabled (PAAD), at 1-800-792-9745; website
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/slmb/.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
65
For QMB, contact your County Welfare Agency (see Appendix G) or
Medicaid, toll-free at 1-800-356-1561; website
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/home/index.html.
For LIS, you can also contact the Social Security Administration toll-
free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778); website www.ssa.gov.
AIDS Drug Distribution Program (ADDP)
The AIDS Drug Distribution Program provides life-sustaining and life-prolonging
medications to low income individuals with no other source of payment for these
drugs. Qualified participants receive free access to HIV-AIDS related
prescription medications approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
Eligibility Requirements:
A New Jersey resident;
Not currently eligible for Medicaid or PAAD;
Have a letter from a physician attesting to your need for AIDS or HIV
specific medications; and
Your annual income must NOT EXCEED 500 percent of the federal
poverty level.
For additional information or to apply for the AIDS Drug Distribution
Program, call the NJ Department of Human Services toll-free
1-877-613-4533.
An additional resource that you may find useful includes:
RX4NJ, New Jersey’s Partnership for Prescription Assistance, provides a
website designed to help low-income, uninsured New Jersey residents get
access to patient assistance programs where they may qualify for free, or
nearly free, prescription medicines. Go to www.rx4nj.org.
There may be pharmacies in your neighborhood selling generic drugs
at a low cost, such as $4 for a thirty-day supply. You may wish to call
around to find a pharmacy in your area that offers such a program.
Mental Health
Just as it requires effort to build or maintain physical health, so it is with mental
and emotional health. The more time and energy you invest in your emotional
health, the stronger it will be. The good news is that there are many things you
can do to boost your mood, build resilience and get more enjoyment out of life
including spending time with others, joining groups and volunteering.
If you’ve made consistent efforts to improve your mental and emotional health
and you still don’t feel good, it may be time to seek professional help. The NJ
Division of Mental Health Services funds 120 private, not-for-profit community
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agencies to provide a full range of mental health services. Services are provided
on a sliding-fee scale.
These agencies are listed in the phone book under Mental Health
Services, or you can call your local County Mental Health
Administrator’s Office. Go to
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/services/admin/index.html or
Appendix K to see a list on these offices.
Services accessible through these agencies may include:
Outpatient Services. Periodic therapy, counseling and supportive services
are provided to clients who possess a psychiatric diagnosis, including clients
who are seriously and persistently mentally ill but excluding substance abuse
and developmental disability unless accompanied by treatable symptoms of
mental illness.
Adult Partial Care Services. Comprehensive, structured, non-residential
health services provided to seriously mentally ill adult clients in a day program
setting to maximize client’s independence and community living skills.
Intensive Family Support Services. Offers supportive activities designed
to improve the overall functioning and quality of life of families with a mentally
ill relative.
Designated Screening Center. This is a public or private ambulatory care
service that provides mental health services including assessment,
emergency and referral services to mentally ill persons in a specified
geographical area.
Emergency Services. Emergency services offer immediate crisis
intervention services and service procurement to relieve the client’s distress
and to help maintain or recover his or her level of functioning. Emphasis is on
stabilization, so that the client can actively participate in needs assessment
and service planning.
For additional information related to mental health contact the NJ Division
of Mental Health and Addiction Services, 1-800-382-6717 or visit their
website at www.state.nj.us/humanservices/divisions/dmhas/.
Addiction Programs
Many people suffer from one or more addictions including, but not limited to
drugs, alcohol and gambling. Facing an addiction can start you on the road to
freedom.
The NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services operates the Addictions
Hotline of New Jersey, a service that has helped over one million people find
alcohol or drug treatment programs, locate 12-step support meetings, or find
answers to questions concerning drugs and alcohol. Trained telephone
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counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to educate, assist or
counsel individuals and families battling addictions. Calls are toll-free and shared
information remains confidential.
Call the Addictions Hotline of New Jersey at 1-800-238-2333 or the
Gamblers Addiction Hotline at 1-800-426-2537 to start your journey on
the road to freedom.
Additional resources that you may find useful include:
The NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services is
responsible for providing effective treatment and prevention for alcoholism
and drug abuse and for enhancing public awareness of the dangers of
such substances. Visit their website for additional information at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/das/home/index.html.
The NJ Prevention Network, Inc. (NJPN), on-line at www.njpn.org
provides a statewide coordinated approach to advocacy, collaboration and
education.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is
an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
created to focus attention, programs, and funding on improving the lives of
people with or at risk for mental and substance abuse disorders. Go to
www.samhsa.gov.
End-of-Life Care
If you are facing a life-threatening health crisis, you and your caregiver must
make many important medical, legal and practical decisions. Being informed
about your choices can help ease some of the burden.
Palliative Care
Palliative Care Programs are staffed by physicians, nurses, case managers and
various therapists who provide symptom relief, improve patients’ ability to tolerate
treatment, facilitate communication between patients/families and the healthcare
team, provide families with bereavement and support services, assist
patients/families with treatment decisions and help patients gain the physical and
emotional strength necessary to complete their daily living activities and pursue
their career and other interests given the limitations imposed upon them by their
condition. These services can be provided to any patient with a serious illness
and are focused on improving the quality of life. These services are separate
from the treatments you may receive that attempt to cure your condition.
Hospice Care
Hospice care is available for people whose physician has determined that they
have an incurable condition and have a life expectancy of six months or less.
Hospice services may be chosen by you or your caregiver, or recommended by
your physician.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Hospice care can be provided in the home or at an extended care facility, such as a
nursing home or assisted living facility. There are also free-standing hospice centers,
sometimes called residential hospice centers. Some families prefer this kind of
setting because it feels more like home and less like an institution. Medicare,
Medicaid and most private insurance plans cover the costs of hospice care, or you
may pay out-of-pocket. A list of licensed hospice providers is available at
www.state.nj.us/health/healthfacilities/search/ac.shtml.
For more detailed information on insurance eligibility, services, and
payment options, go to Hospice Net on-line at www.hospicenet.org, a
nonprofit organization that provides information and support to patients
and families facing life-threatening illnesses.
Hospice Care Resources
There are several organizations that provide in-depth information on hospice
care and can help you locate a hospice facility in your area.
The New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization at
www.njhospice.org/ is a nonprofit organization that promotes hospice
and palliative care in New Jersey, including education and advocacy,
technical assistance, support, and information for professionals, families,
and friends.
The Center to Advance Palliative Care is a national organization
dedicated to increasing the availability of quality palliative care services.
Visit its website at www.getpalliativecare.org.
National Association for Home Care and Hospice is a trade association
that represents home care agencies, hospices, and home care aide
organizations. It also offers a user-friendly tool on its website to locate
agencies in your area that provide hospice. Go to
www.nahcagencylocator.com/.
The NJ Home Care Association, a nonprofit organization which has
hospice and home care resources available to the public. Visit their
website at www.homecarenj.org/.
Additional End-of-Life Resources
Here are a number of additional resources for those facing end-of-life decisions.
Americans for Better Care of the Dying at
www.caringcommunity.org/helpful-resources/models-
research/americans-for-better-care-of-the-dying/ is dedicated to
ensuring good end-of-life care. The organization focuses on improved
pain management, better financial reimbursement systems, enhancing
continuity of care, support for family caregivers, and changes in public
policy.
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The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has a helpful fact sheet on its
website at www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/end-of-
life-care titled “End of Life Questions and Answers.”
Bereavement
As our society continues to explore how to deal with death and dying, we are
also learning and understanding more about grieving. A number of organizations
and agencies provide bereavement services and support groups to help you
through this difficult time.
AARP at www.aarp.org provides extensive information about end-of-life
issues on its website, as well as links to resources about specific issues of
law, grief, and loss. For helpful resources, click on “Home & Family.”
An “After-Death Checklist for Survivors” is available from the Austin
Memorial and Burial Information Society, an affiliate of the national
Funeral Consumer Alliance (FCA), which provides a comprehensive list of
decisions to be made and tasks to be done when a death occurs. The
following website will link you directly to this document:
www.fcaambis.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/After-Death-
Checklist-for-Survivors-05-20-11.pdf.
The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Princeton, at www.fcaprinceton.org/,
is the local affiliate of FCA, a nonprofit organization that protects
consumers' rights to choose meaningful, dignified, affordable funerals.
Additionally, FCA's website at www.funerals.org offers many educational
resources.
Griefnet at www.griefnet.org provides access to 50 e-mail support
groups and websites. The support groups are organized by the
relationship the caregiver had to the deceased, including a group for adult
children of elderly parents.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Personal Notes
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For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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5. INSURANCE
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
73
5. Insurance
Today’s health care system is very complex and often hard to understand by
even the most sophisticated consumer. Keeping current on coverage limits and
deductibles can be bewildering, the paperwork overwhelming, and finding
answers on websites or by phone vexing. This section will help you find your
way through the maze that is the health care insurance system.
Understanding Health Care Insurance
The following organizations can help you locate the benefits that apply to your
care. They will help you save valuable time in learning the health care insurance
system.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free
help to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with, or
questions about their health insurance. Volunteer counselors, trained in
areas of health insurance coverage and benefits that affect Medicare
beneficiaries, provide information and assistance for dealing with claims
and in evaluating health insurance needs. Counselors do not provide
legal advice, sell, recommend or endorse any specific insurance product,
agent, insurance company or plan. They provide information and
assistance so that you can make your own decisions. Counseling is free of
charge. Visit the SHIP website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/ship/index.html or call
1-800-792-8820 to make an appointment.
Medicare Rights Center is an independent source of state-specific
information on Medicare and other health care coverage issues. Its
website at www.medicarerights.org offers an interactive search called
“MI Counselor” that walks you through the qualification process. You can
also call their toll-free consumer hotline at 1-800-333-4114.
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older, under
65 with certain disabilities, and any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical
expenses or the cost of most long-term care. Medicare offers a number of
coverage options.
For complete information about Medicare, visit its website at
www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-633-4227 toll-free and request a copy of
the publication, “Medicare and You” for New Jersey residents.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Original Medicare Plan
The Original Medicare Plan is a fee-for-service plan managed by the federal
government. It includes Parts A and B (see below). An individual is enrolled in
Original Medicare by the Social Security Administration at age 65, or under age
65 and disabled, unless he or she elects to enroll in another type of plan (see
Part C). There are deductibles, co-payments, and some health services, such as
hearing aids and eyeglasses, that are not covered. Most individuals with Original
Medicare buy supplemental insurance to fill coverage gaps (see Medigap on pg.
75 of this section).
Part A: Hospital Insurance
Hospital Insurance helps pay for hospital care, some home health services,
certain short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility (nursing home), and hospice
care. There is no monthly premium charge for Part A coverage if the individual
or spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. There is a large deductible for
hospital stays, co-pays for stays beyond 60 days in hospitals, and copays for
days 21 through 100 in skilled nursing facilities, with limits on the number of days
covered.
Part B: Medical Insurance
Medical Insurance helps pay for doctors, outpatient services, and supplies.
Consumers pay a monthly premium for Part B (premiums vary by income, with
an individual in would typically paying between $105 and $500 per month), plus
an annual deductible. Some co-pay charges apply for equipment, therapies, and
preventive services.
Home health services included in Parts A and B are most frequently used to
provide only short-term follow-up care after discharge from a hospital or skilled
nursing facility. Medicare covers expenses if four conditions are met:
The individual is confined to home;
The individual needs intermittent skilled nursing care, physical,
occupational or speech therapies;
The individual is under the care of a physician who determines the need
and establishes a home health care plan; and
The home health agency providing services is Medicare-certified.
Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans are managed health care plans approved by
Medicare and run by private companies to offer all of the medically necessary
services in Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage Plans can charge different co-
payments and deductibles, and may require the use of providers in the plan.
They can also offer additional services not covered by Original Medicare, such as
prescription drug, vision, hearing, and dental coverage. There are different types
of Medicare Advantage Plans that you can join. You can switch or enroll in plans
during defined periods of the year. Note that if an individual drops employer or
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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union coverage, or Medigap insurance by joining a Medicare Advantage Plan, he
or she may not be able to get it back.
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
Prescription Drug Coverage has been available since 2006. People in either
Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan can add drug coverage through
Part D. Part D insurance plans, which include co-payments and deductibles, are
run by private companies approved by Medicare. A number of plans are
available, but one must carefully assess each individual plan.
Medicare Savings Programs
The Medicare Savings Program may help pay part of your medical expenses. If
you qualify, you may not have to pay your Medicare Part A and B premiums,
deductibles, and coinsurance amounts. The savings plans are:
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) - Certain
individuals who have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part
B (Medical Insurance) and who are slightly above the national poverty level
may qualify for State help in paying their Medicare Part B premium. To
qualify, a person's annual gross income must not exceed 135% of the Federal
Poverty Level and their financial resources such as bank accounts, stocks,
and bonds must be within established limits. The Medicare Part B premium
must be included in determining annual gross income.
Qualifying Individual (QI-1) - Persons with income between 120% and
135% of the Federal Poverty Level may be eligible for assistance as a
Qualifying Individual (QI) to have monthly Medicare Part B premiums paid.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) - The Qualified Medicare
Beneficiary (QMB) in NJ is a component of the Medicaid/New Jersey
FamilyCare program. QMB also helps pay for the Medicare Part A and
Medicare Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. The QMB program
has slightly lower income guidelines, but the same asset guidelines as the
SLMB program.
Medigap
When an aged or disabled individual is not covered by an employer or union
health care plan, it is possible to buy a supplemental policy to help bridge the
gaps in Original Medicare coverage. These policies are called Medigap
insurance.
Medigap policies must follow federal and state laws and are standardized, so you
can compare them. Standardized policies cover co-payments for certain
benefits. Medigap policies may also offer additional benefits, such as coverage
for the hospital deductible, at an extra cost.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Medicare does not pay for any of the costs of a Medigap policy. To buy a
Medigap policy, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
To find a Medigap policy, visit the State Health Insurance Assistance
Program (SHIP) website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/ship or call 1-800-792-
8820 to make an appointment with a SHIP counselor.
Other Insurance Plans
Individuals may have access to government-funded insurance programs other
than Medicare. The following information can help you decide if you or someone
under your care is eligible for one of these programs.
Health Insurance Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace (also known as “ObamaCare”), a key part of
the Affordable Care Act, is a way for qualified individuals, families, and qualified
employees of small businesses to get affordable health coverage. Financial
assistance is also available to help with plan premiums and cost sharing.
Medicare is NOT part of the Marketplace and you do not qualify for a plan on the
Marketplace if you are eligible for Medicare. To learn more about the Health
Insurance Marketplace, visit www.HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.
Government Employee Health Plans
Retired federal, state, or local government employees (and their families) may
have health care coverage that replaces Medicare or insurance that
complements Medicare. Contact the employer’s personnel or human resources
department for details regarding health care benefits.
Indian Health Plans
Native Americans who receive health care from the Indian Health Service, a
Tribal Health Program, or Urban Indian Health Program should contact their local
Indian Health benefits coordinator to understand how Medicare benefits work
with this coverage.
Military Service Benefits
Some seniors (and family members) may be eligible for health care coverage
through the Veterans Administration (VA) or the Department of Defense (DoD) if
they served in the military or, in some cases, were on active duty while in the
National Guard. Coverage in either program may also require participation in
Medicare Parts A and Part B. There are two major programs:
TRICARE: The U.S. Department of Defense provides coverage through
TRICARE to active-duty and retired military persons and their dependents.
Detailed information about eligibility and coverage is available on the
Internet at www.tricare.mil or by calling 1-877-874-2273. Not all VA
Medical Centers participate in the TRICARE network. VA Medical Centers
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that participate in TRICARE will provide treatment for a non-service-
related disability, if space is available.
CHAMPVA: This Veterans Administration health care coverage is
provided to veterans and their dependents who meet one of eight
categories of eligibility. Detailed information is provided on the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs website at
www.va.gov/purchasedcare/programs/dependents/champva/index.asp or
by calling 1-877-222-8387 toll-free. In many cases, home care services to
manage daily living tasks are covered by the CHAMPVA.
Choosing which program is best for the individual requires some research. Keep
in mind that changing benefit coverage between these two programs within a
specific episode of care may result in denial of payment from either program. For
more information about how this works, contact the person who serves as the
TRICARE “Beneficiary Point-of Contact” at your regional VA facility
(see Appendix Q and Appendix R).
New Jersey Veterans Health Care System
Lyons Campus
151 Knollcroft Road
Lyons, NJ 07939
908-647-0180
East Orange Campus
385 Tremont Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07018
973-676-1000
Detailed information is provided on the US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA
New Jersey Health Care System webpage at http://www.newjersey.va.gov/.
Employer or Union Health Coverage
Elders (or family members) may have health coverage based on current or past
employment that will help pay deductibles and other expenses not covered by
Medicare. It is important to contact the benefits administrator of the union or
employer to understand what the coverage includes and what it costs. The
employer or union generally has the right to change benefits and premiums or
stop offering coverage, so it is important to watch for notices regarding coverage
and keep them on file. Prescription drug coverage, in particular, may change
annually.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health insurance and
long-term care to low-income individuals of all ages. While Congress and the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) set out the main rules that
govern Medicaid, each state administers its own program. As a result, the
eligibility rules differ significantly from state to state, although all states must
follow the same basic framework. In New Jersey, the program is administered by
the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS).
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Seniors and individuals with disabilities who have extremely limited income and
assets often qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid and they are referred to as
“dual eligible.” Most of their health care and long-term care costs are covered.
New Jersey Medicaid Insurance Programs
NJ FamilyCare—Provides health insurance to low-income parents, children,
and people who are blind or disabled. The program pays for hospital services,
doctor visits, prescriptions, nursing home care and other healthcare needs.
Detailed information is provided on NJ FamilyCare website at
www.njfamilycare.org.
Community Medicaid—In 2015, an individual was eligible for community
Medicaid in New Jersey if his/her gross monthly income is equal to or less than
$981 with a resource maximum of $4000.
Institutional Medicaid—In 2015, an individual must meet both the financial
eligibility ($2199/mo. and a resource maximum of $2000) and clinical eligibility
(also referred to as nursing facility level of care).
Qualified Income Trusts— Qualified Income Trusts (QITs), is a long-term
services and supports funding options created in October 2014 that allows
individuals with incomes above Medicaid limits (300% above the Federal Poverty
Level) to qualify for Medicaid by creating a trust where their excess income is
kept and used solely to meet healthcare needs. Find more information on QITs,
including a form for you and background information for your bank can be found
at www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/clients/mtrusts.html.
NJ FamilyCare—A health insurance program for children whose families’
annual household incomes are less than 350 percent of the federal poverty level
(FPL), which is based on household income and size (in 2015, for example, 350
percent of FPL for a family of four is $84,875).
NJ FamilyCare ADVANTAGE—This comprehensive health benefits program,
which is administered by Horizon, is available to children under age 19 in families
with income greater than 350 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Families pay premiums based on the number of children enrolled in the program.
If a family chooses to enroll its children in this program, all children must enroll;
the family cannot choose which children to enroll.
Most New Jersey Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries are enrolled in an
HMO that manages their healthcare and provides services to which they are
entitled.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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For Medicaid information call the NJ Division of Medical Assistance and
Health Services at 1-800-356-1561, or visit their website at
www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/clients/medicaid.
New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance – Charity Care
This program offers free or reduced charge care for patients who receive
inpatient or outpatient services at acute care hospitals throughout the State of
New Jersey. Hospital assistance and reduced charge care are available only for
necessary hospital care. The patient or prospective patient must apply for
hospital care payment assistance at the hospital from which he/she plans to
obtain or has obtained services. The patient should apply at the business office
or admissions office of the hospital.
Eligibility
Hospital care payment assistance is available to New Jersey residents who:
Have no health coverage or have coverage that pays only for part of the
bill;
Are ineligible for any private or governmental sponsored coverage (such
as Medicaid); and
Meet both the income and assets eligibility criteria.
For additional information call the Hospital Finance and Charity Care
Hotline at 1-866-588-5696 (Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm) or visit
their website at www.state.nj.us/health/charitycare/index.shtml.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance helps to pay for some or all of the costs of long-term
care and is becoming increasingly popular as the baby boomer population ages
and individuals realize the potentially devastating effect of long-term care
expenses.
Long-term care policies can vary greatly from one insurer to the next. Policies
may include benefits for care in a nursing home, in an assisted living facility, in
your home, or in an adult day care center. Some policies may pay for family
benefits, such as caregiver training, but do not pay for services provided by
family members.
It is important to determine what types of care are covered by a long-term care
policy. Policies that limit coverage to nursing home care will not generally pay for
services received at home. More flexible policies are available which allow you
to use benefits to cover any necessary long-term care in any setting, but these
policies usually are more expensive. If you are thinking of buying a policy, ask
an experienced eldercare lawyer or financial planner to review the policy with you
before signing. (See the Finances section for information on finding a financial
planner and the Legal Services section for information on locating a lawyer.)
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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New Jersey State Partnership for Long Term Care
A program that combines private LTC Insurance and Medicaid Extended
Coverage, it allows residents of NJ to protect assets equal to the long term care
insurance benefits received from a New Jersey Partnership Policy so that the
assets will not be taken into account in determining their financial eligibility for
Medicaid.
To learn more about the New Jersey Long Term Care Insurance
Partnership Program visit www.ltcpartnershiponly.com.
Visit these websites to evaluate the pros and cons of obtaining long-term care
insurance:
AARP provides resources on long-term care and planning at
www.aarp.org.
Medicare’s website at www.medicare.gov offers useful information on
planning for long-term care, including links to information on long-term
care insurance.
The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information,
managed by the Administration on Aging (AoA), provides information on
services and financing options at www.eldercare.gov.
Life Insurance
Life insurance protects your financial future by providing the financial resources
to your family to pay immediate and continuing expenses after your death. There
are certain riders and plans that permit a life insurance policyholder to obtain
funds related to a life insurance policy in advance of death which may help to
defray the costs of long-term care.
Accelerated Death Benefits – This benefit provides cash advances
against the death benefit while the insured is still alive. One must add an
accelerated death benefit (ADB) rider to their life insurance policy for little
or no cost.
Life Settlements – Also known as Senior Settlements, Elder Settlements
or High Net Worth Settlements, give older individuals the ability to adapt to
changes in health, goals or life circumstances by selling their life
insurance policy. They may no longer need the death benefit because the
original reason they bought the insurance no longer exists or the
insurance premium may be unaffordable after retirement.
Viatical Settlements – A Viatical Settlement is the sale of a policy by
someone who has a life expectancy of two years or less while someone
with a Life Settlement has a life expectancy greater than two years but
less than 13. Under a Viatical Settlement, the insured assigns the
proceeds of his/her life insurance policy to an investor in exchange for a
cash settlement, which is less than the value of the death benefit. The tax
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consequences also differ. Viatical Settlements are usually tax-free,
whereas Life Settlements are not.
Single Premium Life/LTC Policies – These policies are funded through
a lump sum payment, which is guaranteed not to change. The single
premium deposit can be made with cash, CDs, money market accounts,
non-qualified and qualified annuities or IRAs and Keogh plans. Issue ages
can vary based on the source of the premium.
Long-Term Care Annuities
An annuity is a series of regular payments made to an individual over a specified
and defined period of time. The funds for the annuity come from a single
premium payment the individual makes when establishing the account.
Deferred Annuity with Long-Term Care Benefits – This annuity is
available for persons up to age 85 and has seven broad health questions
that most people can satisfy. One example of this hybrid product might
consist of two funds. The first fund is for long-term care expenses and it
grows at a high interest rate with a five-year guarantee. It then grows at
the current interest rate thereafter. The second fund grows at 3 percent
guaranteed and is a regular cash fund. The purpose of the separate long-
term care fund is to allow immediate use of the funds for licensed LTC
services.
Immediate Annuity – This annuity is available to people with
uninsurable health conditions or those who may be already receiving long-
term care, as well as those in good health. A single premium payment is
converted to a monthly income stream guaranteed for the life of the
policyholder or for a minimum guarantee period, life and a minimum
guarantee period, or even a joint and survivor annuity option. The named
beneficiary(ies) would receive a portion of the money if the policyholder
dies earlier than the expiration of the minimum guarantee period.
Reverse Mortgage Annuity – In a reverse mortgage annuity, part of the
lump sum loan amount obtained from the reverse mortgage is used to buy
an annuity. Even if the borrower sells or moves from the home, annuity
payments will continue. The loan must be paid off when the owner dies,
sells or moves from the home. The annuity payment from the separately
purchased annuity can continue.
Leaseback – A leaseback occurs when an investor buys a home below
market value and the investor agrees to rent the house to the seller on a
long-term lease. The seller no longer has to worry about maintenance to
the home or paying taxes, and the proceeds of the sale can be used as
desired, to finance long-term care needs or to buy insurance.
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Personal Notes
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6. HOME AND
COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE
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For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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6. Home & Community-Based Services
The goal of home and community-based services is to allow individuals in need
of long-term care and supportive services to remain at home and in their
communities without jeopardizing their safety.
Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or Aging and Disability Resource
Connection (ADRC), and County Office of Disability Services, is a first point of
contact. Depending upon your situation, your local ADRC may be able to offer
an in-home assessment free of charge.
Home Care Services
Home care services fall into five general categories:
Homemaker Services – Provides for home management assistance,
such as grocery shopping, light housekeeping, laundry, and changing
beds. These services are sometimes referred to as Instrumental Activities
of Daily Living, or IADLs.
Personal Care Services – Provides assistance with daily routines, such
as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, transferring, using the bathroom,
and mobility. These services are sometimes referred to as Activities of
Daily Living, or ADLs.
Meal Services – Provides meals to individuals in their own homes or in
senior centers, churches, synagogues, schools, and other community
locations (these are known as congregate meal programs).
Home Health Care Services – Assists individuals with health and
medical conditions that are being treated at home. In addition to assisting
with personal care, home health aides will assist with basic health care
such as taking vital signs, changing bandages and dressings, and
assisting with medications.
Skilled Health Care Services – Provides registered nurses, licensed
practical nurses, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists who
give skilled nursing care and rehabilitative therapies at home. Medicare
will pay for short-term home care when skilled services are needed,
usually following surgery or an acute care stay in the hospital.
Home Care Providers
There are different types of home care providers. Each provider offers a different
level and/or kind of care and may vary in price.
Licensed Home Care Agencies – Regulated and monitored by the State
of New Jersey, these agencies provide both medical and non-medical
services and have met strict federal requirements for patient care and
management. In some cases they can provide home health services
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covered by Medicare and Medicaid. These agencies conduct rigorous
background checks of Certified Home Health Aides as well as take care of
all benefits and tax requirements for their employees.
Non-Certified Agencies – These agencies also provide medical and
non-medical home services but are not licensed by the State of New
Jersey.
Independent Providers – Employees are hired directly by the individual
or family caregiver, who is then legally responsible to pay state payroll
taxes and worker’s compensation. Some NJ Medicaid consumers as well
as participants enrolled in the Medicaid waivers may be eligible for this
option.
Obtaining Home Care Services
There are several ways to obtain home health care services.
County AAA/ADRC offices maintain local listings of home health care
providers and will ask a series of questions to identify the appropriateness
for in-home supportive services. If indicated and desired, a full in-depth
clinical assessment will assist in determining the specific unmet needs of
that individual; or
Directly contact a private home health care agency. Check your local
telephone directories for providers in your area; or
Ask your primary care physician to recommend agencies. They may have
first-hand experience in dealing with specific providers; or
Speak with family members and friends who have used home care
services in the past.
Additional resources to locate a home health care agency include:
Visit the Home Care Association of New Jersey at
www.homecarenj.org or call 732-877-1100.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) operates
a website that allows searches of Medicare-certified home health agencies
at www.medicare.gov/HHCompare. Note that newly certified agencies
may not appear in the database for several months.
The New Jersey Board of Nursing provides A Consumer’s Guide to
Homemaker-Home Health Aides at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/hhh, or
call 973-504-6430.
Refer to Appendix V for a checklist of questions to consider when
shopping for home care services.
Paying for Home Care
One of the most challenging long-term care issues facing individuals and families
today is paying for in-home services. Some health and long-term care insurance
plans provide coverage for home health care, so be sure to check your policy
and/or benefits’ statements carefully.
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Some or all of the cost for home health care services may be covered in these
situations:
Continued care for individuals who are homebound due to medical
reasons.
Low-income individuals who are covered by Medicaid have access to
home-based services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
Registered veterans and their families may be eligible for home care
services. (See Veterans Benefits section for more information.)
Home Care Rates
For families who are paying out-of-pocket for home care services, it is wise to get
information on cost from several different agencies. You will probably be faced
with some difficult choices between quality and affordability, but you should not
be paying less than the average hourly rate in your area.
According to the Genworth Financial Inc.’s 2015 Cost of Care Overview, the
average hourly rate for a home health aide was $21 compared to $20 for a
homemaker. Rates for a certified home health aide versus a non-certified home
health aide will vary significantly as well.
Hourly rates will vary depending upon the geographical location. To
get information on the range of hourly wages in your area, go to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website at
www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm and click on “State Wage Data.”
Medicaid Home Care Services
New Jersey Medicaid provides access to a broad range of home and community
services and supports for people of all ages and disabilities, which in turn
promotes consumer satisfaction and control. These services enable individuals
enrolled in various Medicaid programs to minimize reliance on institutions and
allow for continued community living. (See the Insurance Section of this
handbook for information regarding NJ’s Medicaid Programs)
Community Medicaid State Plan Services
Following is a list of state plan services that an individual with New Jersey
Medicaid or enrolled in a Medicaid Waiver can access:
Adult Day Health Services*
Advanced Practice Nurse
Chiropractic
Clinic
Dental
Hearing Aid
Home Health
Nursing Facility
Optometric
Optical Appliances
Personal Care Assistant*
Pharmaceutical
Physician
Podiatric
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Hospital
Hospital Outpatient
Laboratory
Medical Supplies &
Equipment*
*Require prior authorization
Prosthetic & Orthotic
Devices
Radiological
Rehabilitation Therapies
Transportation*
Services and Supports for Persons with Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities
The Supports Program is a Medicaid program, which provides needed
supports and services for adult individuals, 21 and older, living with their
families or in their own unlicensed homes. All Medicaid-eligible individuals
who have been determined to meet the functional criteria to receive
services funded through the Division will access those services through
the Supports Program. Medicaid-eligible individuals enrolled on
the Community Care Waiver (CCW) will not access disability-related
services through the Supports Program and will only access those
services through the CCW.
Eligibility
With the exception of individuals enrolled on the Community Care
Waiver (CCW), all adult individuals 21 and older who have been
determined to be functionally eligible for DDD services and who are
Medicaid eligible will be able to participate in the Supports
Program. Participants will be required to maintain their Medicaid
eligibility while they are enrolled in the Supports Program.
Supports Program Services
An individual’s services will be determined as part of a person-
centered planning process and documented in his/her
individualized service plan. Services must be tied to an assessed
area of need. The services available in the Supports Program
include:
Assistive Technology,
Behavioral Management,
Career Planning,
Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy,
Community-Based Supports,
Community Inclusion Services,
Day Habilitation,
Environmental Modifications,
Fiscal Management Services,
Goods & Services,
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Interpreter Services,
Natural Supports Training,
Occupational/Physical/Speech Therapies,
Personal Emergency Response System,
Prevocational Services,
Respite,
Support Coordination,
Supported Employment – Individual/Small Group,
Supports Brokerage,
Transportation, and
Vehicle Modifications
Home Care Services for Adults with Physical Disabilities
The Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Program is an optional benefit
offered to New Jersey Medicaid beneficiaries who are experiencing some
functional impairment and need a PCA to assist them with their activities
of daily living, such as bathing and dressing. Recipients do not have to be
permanently disabled to receive this service but must have a doctor’s
order and prior authorization from your current Managed Care
Organization (MCO) if enrolled in NJ FamilyCare, or the NJ Division of
Disability Services in some instances.
The Personal Preference Program (PPP) is an option under the
PCA program that allows individuals to direct and manage their
services. It uses what is called a cash and counseling approach.
Operating within a monthly cash allowance, participants in the
program work with a consultant to develop a cash management
plan by which they decide the services they need and the
individuals and/or agencies they wish to hire to provide the
services.
For additional information about PCA and PPP, contact your current MCO
provider, visit the NJ Division of Disability Services’ website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds, or call 1-888-285-3036.
Medicaid Waivers
Section 1115 of the Social Security Act gives the Secretary of Health and Human
Services authority to approve experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects that
promote the objectives of the Medicaid program. The purpose of these
demonstrations, which give States additional flexibility to design and improve
their programs, is to demonstrate and evaluate policy approaches such as:
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Expanding eligibility to individuals who are not otherwise Medicaid or
CHIP eligible
Providing services not typically covered by Medicaid
Using innovative service delivery systems that improve care, increase
efficiency, and reduce costs.
Eligibility
To be a waiver participant, an individual must meet specific criteria, including:
certified for the waiver’s institutional level of care (clinical eligibility) after
an in-depth care needs assessment;
choose to enroll in the waiver as an alternative to institutionalization; and
be determined to meet financial eligibility based on their income and
assets.
New Jersey Medicaid Waivers
In 2012, New Jersey received federal approval under an 1115 (a) demonstration
waiver for the Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver, which included Managed Long
Term Services and Supports (MLTSS)—a new way to help individuals live in the
community for as long as possible with services and supports. Beginning July 1,
2014, participants in Global Options for Long-Term Care (GO) and three other
waiver programs – AIDS Community Care Alternatives Program (ACCAP),
Community Resources for People with Disabilities (CRPD) and Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI) – were automatically enrolled in the MLTSS program through a
Medicaid managed care organization (MCO).
Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) refers to the
delivery of long-term services and supports through New Jersey
Medicaid's NJ FamilyCare managed care program. MLTSS is designed to
expand home and community-based services, promote community
inclusion and ensure quality and efficiency. MLTSS uses NJ FamilyCare
managed care organizations (also known as MCOs or health plans) to
coordinate all services. MLTSS provides comprehensive services and
supports, whether at home, in an assisted living facility, in community
residential services, or in a nursing home.
MLTSS Waiver Services
Depending on an individual’s assessed need, MLTSS services may
include:
Personal Care;
Respite;
Care Management;
Home and Vehicle
Modifications;
Home Delivered Meals;
Personal Emergency
Response Systems;
Mental Health and
Addiction Services;
Assisted Living;
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Community Residential
Services;
Nursing Home Care.
MLTSS may also include one or more NJ FamilyCare Medicaid State Plan
services, such as a personal care assistant (PCA), a home health aide and/or
adult day health services.
For additional information on Managed Long Term Services and Supports
(MLTSS), visit www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/home, contact
your current Managed Care Organization (MCO), or call your local
AAA/ADRC at 1-877-222-3737.
For a listing of MLTSS MCOs, visit
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/clients/medicaid/hmo.
The Community Care Waiver (CCW) is for children or adults with
developmental disabilities. The CCW services are Case Management,
Support Coordination for individuals who self-direct their services, Day
Habilitation, Supported Employment, Individual Supports, Community
Transition Services, Environmental/Vehicular Accessibility Adaptation,
Assistive Technology Devices, Personal Emergency Response System,
Respite Care and Non-Medical Transportation. The CCW also allows
access to all Medicaid State Plan services, except ICF/MR and Personal
Care Assistant. To be eligible for the CCW, an individual must first be
determined eligible by the Division of Developmental Disabilities to receive
its services (See page 18 for DDD’s eligibility criteria). There is a waiting
list for this waiver.
For additional information on the CCW, contact the NJ Division of
Developmental Disabilities at 1-800-832-9173, or visit their website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dd.
Non-Medicaid Waiver Home Care Programs
For those individuals who are above the financial eligibility for Medicaid or
Medicaid waiver services, other options may be appropriate, including:
The Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) is a
program that provides in-home services to seniors at risk of nursing facility
placement who are ineligible for Medicaid or Medicaid waiver services and
who have resources at or below a specified amount. The JACC services
are based on an assessment of the individual’s needs and include care
management, homemaker, respite care, home modification, special
medical equipment and supplies, chore service, personal emergency
response system, home delivered meals, social/medical adult day care,
attendant care, home-based supportive care, and transportation.
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For additional information, contact your local AAA/ADRC, or call
1-877-222-3737.
The Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP) gives adults age
18-65 with physical disabilities opportunities to work, attend school or
vocational training and to live independently in the community. Personal
assistants help individuals with tasks such as light housekeeping, bathing,
dressing, meal preparation, shopping, and assistance with
correspondence, driving and/or using public transportation. Services are
available to individuals who are employed, preparing for employment or
attending an educational or training program. Persons active in
community-based activities such as volunteerism or parenting are also
supported in this program. Cost of services depends on family income:
some pay no fee while others pay a portion on a sliding fee scale.
For additional information on PASP, contact the NJ Division of Disability
Services at 1-888-285-3036, or visit their website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dd.
The NJ Statewide Respite Care Program provides services for the
elderly and functionally impaired persons age 18 or older to relieve their
unpaid caregivers of physical and emotional stress arising from the
responsibility of providing daily care. For more detailed information see
the Caregiver Section of this guide.
Additional Home Care Programs
The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a long-
term care benefit authorized by Medicare with an optional Medicaid benefit
for adults age 55 and older with chronic health conditions. PACE provides
all the care and services covered by Medicare and Medicaid as well as all
additional necessary care and services not normally covered. To be
eligible for PACE, an individual must reside in the service area of the
PACE organization, meet the NJ nursing facility level of care, and be able
to live safely in the community at the time of enrollment into PACE. An
individual is also required to be eligible for Medicare and/or Medicaid, or
be willing to pay privately.
For more on PACE, visit the Division of Aging Services website at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/pace.
Additional information can be found on the National PACE website at
www.npaonline.org and at www.medicaid.gov.
Veteran’s Home Health Care services may be available to eligible
veterans based on certain qualification criteria. Contact your county
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Veterans Service Office (See Appendix R) for information and eligibility
requirements.
Day Care Programs
An adult day care program is a supervised group setting where individuals
receive social, recreational and/or healthcare support during the day. There are
two types of adult day care programs available: social and medical.
Day Care Programs – Social
Social day programs are group settings offering a social environment, meals,
exercise, planned activities, support staff and resources. A social program does
not provide personal care or health care and is designed for older adults or adults
with disabilities who enjoy interactive activities and do not require much
assistance. Transportation and meal options in social day programs vary by
program, and may involve an additional fee. Senior centers are a common
example of this type of program.
Day Care Programs – Medical
Medical day care centers offer a program of medically supervised, health-related
services provided in an ambulatory care setting to persons who are non-
residents of the facility, who do not require 24-hour inpatient institutional care and
yet, due to their physical, and/or mental impairment, need health maintenance
and/or restorative services. In New Jersey, these programs are referred to as
Adult Day Health Services (ADHS).
Eligibility Requirements
This program is available to private pay and both traditional and Medicaid
waiver recipients. Individuals who request ADHS paid through Medicaid
must meet financial and medical requirements.
Services Offered
ADHS centers are required to provide:
Medical, nursing, social, personal care and rehabilitative services
A nutritious mid-day meal
Social Activities
Transportation to and from the center.
Services are provided five days a week, a minimum of five hours a day.
Staff-participant ratio is required at a minimum to be one staff member to
every nine participants.
Cost of Services
The cost of ADHS varies by program and ranges from $60 - $100 per day.
A private-pay option is available to those who do not qualify for publicly
funded programs. Community Medicaid is accepted at most ADHS and
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will pay for participants to attend up to five days a week. Various grant
programs administered by local governments and agencies may also
provide services for older adults, or supplement the cost to families.
Alzheimer’s Adult Day Health Services
The Alzheimer’s Adult Day Health Services Program partially subsidizes the
purchase of adult day health services for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or a
related dementia. There are currently 36 adult day care centers in 18 counties
participating in this program.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the program, an older adult must meet the following
criteria:
Have an Alzheimer’s diagnosis (or related dementia) documented by a
licensed physician;
Be routinely supervised by an informal caregiver;
Reside in the community;
Have documented evidence of eligibility according to income
guidelines; and
Be a resident of the state of New Jersey.
For additional information on social or medical day care programs, contact
your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
You may also wish to visit the website of the National Adult Day
Services Association at www.nadsa.org, and see our consumer
checklist in Appendix U.
Care Management
While family caregivers possess a great deal of knowledge about what their
loved ones' need, sometimes making decisions about services and coordinating
them over time can be overwhelming. Care managers, sometimes referred to as
case managers, are nurses, social workers, counselors, or gerontologists,
experienced in working with families, evaluating needs, and dealing with
complicated family dynamics. Case management services can be acquired
through private pay funding or as a service contained within a publicly subsidized
program.
Services Offered
Care managers generally perform some or most of the following activities:
For consumers who are paying privately, a care manager will conduct an
in-depth care needs assessment to determine the need for home care
services.
Develop a care plan about the specific services needed, including who will
provide the service, how often and for how long.
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Coordinate home and medical care as well as hire home care workers,
either through contracts with designated service providers or through
workers of their own agency.
Monitor home care services, reassess them periodically and make needed
adjustments.
Secure respite care for family caregivers, adult day programs, long-term
care and senior housing.
Provide assistance to families in addressing legal and financial issues.
Assist in dealing with complicated government benefits.
Assist with medical service and equipment providers.
Cost of Care Management
If you are enrolled in a publicly subsidized program, such as a Medicaid Waiver,
care management services will be free of charge. Other state funded programs
may provide care management services reimbursed on a sliding scale. If you are
paying privately for these services, the average hourly rate varies by location and
experience.
To find a care manager, contact your AAA/ADRC toll-free at
1-877-222-3737, or a multi-service home care agency. In addition, the
National Association of Geriatric Care Managers provides names
and background information about its members on its website
www.caremanager.org.
Consumer Direction
A growing trend in community-based long-term services is to provide a system
that gives consumers not only the ability to choose and manage the services they
receive but also the ability to hire individuals, family, friends, or neighbors to
provide some of the services, such as meal preparation or personal care. This
self-directed care is often referred to as Consumer Direction and may include
managing the authorized service budget for your care and/or become an
employer to the providers of those services rendered in your home. Caregivers
and participants may direct their care by:
Determining how participant’s needs will be met;
Determining who will provide services;
Defining the job description/tasks of the worker;
Deeming the competency of the worker; and
Monitoring the quality of service.
Different programs, such as MLTSS, JACC, SRCP, and PPP each provide
different opportunities for individuals who are willing and able to self-direct, to
hire and direct their own workers or to self-direct how their budget allowance is
spent on authorized goods and services.
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Advantages and Responsibilities
There are a number of advantages of consumer-directed care including better
control, cost effectiveness and flexibility. However, consumer-directed services
may not be for everyone as it comes with responsibilities. In a consumer-
directed model, if you are the employer you take full responsibility to hire, direct
and terminate employees.
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7. HOUSING & ALTERNATIVE LIVING OPTIONS
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7. Housing & Alternative Living Options
Remaining at Home
Most seniors and persons with disabilities in need of services prefer to stay in
their homes rather than move to a nursing home or other long-term care facility.
To make this possible, the person’s home must be safe and affordable. Home
modifications, assistive technologies and home care supports can improve safety
and programs that provide financial support for energy costs, property taxes and
home and community-based care can alleviate some of the financial burdens of
home ownership.
Home Safety
Home accidents are some of the most common reasons why frail individuals
make trips to the hospital or need to move to an assisted living residence or a
nursing home. One of the first steps to good long-term planning is a thorough
safety assessment of your home. A home safety assessment will point out
modifications and repairs that can be made to reduce or prevent accidents.
It is important to first determine what modifications are needed now or in the
future by examining each area of your home. Make notes of anything that could
be fixed, moved, repaired or improved. Make the noted repairs or changes as
soon as you can. Every improvement or repair will make you or your loved one
that much safer.
Please see Appendix W for a Home Safety Checklist or visit
www.eldercare.gov.
Home Modification and Repair
Home modifications meet the needs of people with physical limitations so they
can live independently and safely. Examples of home modification can include:
Ramp installation to improve
access
Doorway expansions
Handrails
Grab bars in the bathroom
(shower, toilet, tub)
Flexible, hand-held shower
head
Lever-handed faucets
Expanded, walk-in shower
Considerations
When you are ready to have your home modifications performed, be sure to:
Get recommendations from family and friends who have had similar
projects completed.
Check with your local Better Business Bureau regarding the contractor or
program’s reliability and performance record.
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Be specific about changes you wish to make.
Ask for a written agreement with only a small down payment.
Make the final payment only after the project is completed.
Paying for Home Modifications
Minor home modifications and repairs can be done for as little as $150 to $2000.
For bigger projects, some financing options that may be available include:
Fix It or Handyman Programs - supported with Older Americans Act funds
Community Development Block Grants – grant funds typically available
through the local department of community development.
Private funding, including home equity conversion mortgages.
Additional resources that you may find helpful include:
The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home
Modifications (NRCSHHM) at www.homemods.org is a major
clearinghouse for news on government-assisted housing, assisted-living
policies, home modifications for older people, training and educational
courses, and technical assistance. It publishes fact sheets, guidebooks,
and a newsletter. You can also reach them by calling 213-740-1364.
Rebuilding Together at www.rebuildingtogether.org is a national
volunteer housing rehabilitation organization that focuses on the home
repair and home improvement needs of lower-income homeowners. You
can also reach them by calling 1-800-473-4229.
Staying Safe in Your Home
The following programs and services are intended to keep you safe in your
home.
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
A PERS is a pendant or wristband with a transmitter that the wearer can use to
summon help to their home in an emergency 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The help button activates an in-home communicator that calls the PERS
provider’s call center. To find a PERS provider in your area consult the phone
book or use an Internet search engine (i.e., Google, Yahoo, etc.). Individuals
enrolled in Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) may be eligible
for this service.
Project Lifesaver
Project Lifesaver is a program adopted by most Sheriff’s Departments in New
Jersey to locate persons with Alzheimer’s disease who wander away from their
homes and caregivers.
The program relies on proven radio technology and specially trained search and
rescue teams. Clients enrolled in the program wear a personalized wristband
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that emits a tracking signal. A search and rescue team responds when
caregivers notify their local Sheriff’s Department that a person is missing. Trained
professionals start searching for the lost individual using a mobile locator tracking
system. Search times are greatly reduced thanks to this technology.
Eligibility
A primary family member/caregiver must submit an enrollment application
for the specific county where the relative resides.
The individual must have a physician’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other
related disorders.
Applicant must reside with a caregiver.
For more information on Project Lifesaver, contact your local Aging and
Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), Area Agency on Aging
(AAA), or Sheriff Department for more details. (See Appendix O.)
Safe Return Program
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia disorders can lose their
ability to recognize familiar places and faces, and become lost in their own
neighborhoods or when they are away from home.
The Safe Return Program provides assistance in locating persons who wander
and become lost through the use of a national information and photo database.
Through Safe Return, help is available from the national Alzheimer’s Association
and local chapter offices, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whenever a
person is lost or found.
The Safe Return Program will provide identification products such as jewelry
(necklaces and bracelets) and wallet cards with a toll-free number to call in an
emergency printed on them. There is a cost of $55 + $7 shipping and handling,
followed by an annual renewal of $35.
To inquire about this program, please contact the Alzheimer’s
Association by phone at 1-800-272-3900 or on the web at
www.alz.org/SafeReturn.
Emergency Preparedness
Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, and without warning. The American
Red Cross and your local government agencies will respond when a disaster
threatens and after it strikes. However, they can’t be everywhere at once.
Seniors and individuals with disabilities and special needs often require
additional time and assistance to prepare for a disaster. Being ready for a
disaster is a part of maintaining your independence.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Emergency Preparedness resources you may find useful include:
The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management at
www.state.nj.us/njoem provides a wealth of information related to
emergency preparedness.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at
www.ready.gov/are-you-ready-guide provides a publication - Are You
Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness. The guide provides a
step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness. Topics include preparing
and emergency supply kit, evacuation, emergency public shelters, animals
in disaster, and information specific to people with disabilities.
Disaster Planning
The best time to prepare for an emergency situation is now, and the State of
Jersey suggests these three steps:
Buy and/or prepare a kit of emergency supplies – the items that will help
you stay self-sufficient for up to three days.
Make a plan for what you and your family will do during an emergency –
including knowing how to evacuate and shelter-in-place.
Stay informed of possible threats.
Individuals of any age who have physical disabilities or other limitations, such as
a lack of transportation, may find it difficult to evacuate in an emergency. To help
these individuals stay informed and receive personalized assistance when
disaster strikes, the State of New Jersey has created NJ Alert and NJ Register
Ready.
NJ Alert
NJ Alert is New Jersey’s emergency alert system. In an emergency, individuals
who register on the program’s website will receive an email and/or text message
on their cell phone letting them know what has happened and what they should
do to remain safe. To register, go to www.ready.nj.gov.
NJ Register Ready
NJ Register Ready is a service that allows New Jersey residents with special
needs the opportunity to provide vital information about themselves to
emergency response agencies so these agencies can better plan to serve them
in a disaster or other emergency situation. The information gathered is
confidential and not available to the public. For more information or to register,
call 211 or go to www.registerready.nj.gov.
Registering with Power Companies and First Responders
Some frail elderly and individuals with disabilities register with their power
company so that, should there be a power outage, crews will look to restore
power to their homes on a priority basis. Likewise, many fire companies and first
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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aid squads keep such lists so they can respond appropriately in an emergency.
Contact your local providers for additional information.
To Move or Not to Move
There are a number of housing-related issues that you and your caregiver must
consider when attempting to decide if you can remain at home. Here are some
resources that can help:
The NJ Housing Resource Center at www.njhousing.gov provides
information on accessible and affordable housing throughout the state.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at
www.hud.gov has many resources to help individuals remain at home.
To access local resources visit its website, click on “Information by State,”
and then click on your state.
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) are community-based, consumer-
driven organizations that provide information and referral, peer counseling,
skills training, advocacy and a variety of services based on a disabled
individual’s needs. They are especially strong in providing information
regarding housing availability for this population. Please see Appendix C
for a CIL in your area.
Housing Options
Even if you or your loved one is able to remain home now, you should begin your
exploration of other housing options as soon as possible. Many communities
and facilities have waiting lists. You may want to gather brochures and visit
locations ahead of time, so you’ll know what the local options are.
Housing Lists
Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Aging and Disability Resource
Connection (ADRC), County Office of Disability Services, Centers for
Independent Living (CIL) or Public Housing Authority (PHA) have information
about the options best suited to fit your needs.
The New Jersey Division of Aging Services maintains lists of the following types
of senior and disabled housing in New Jersey:
Adult Retirement
Communities
Government Subsidized
Housing
Shared Housing
House-matching programs
Low Income Housing
Rooming & Senior Boarding
Homes
For copies of these lists, please contact the NJ Division of Aging
Services, PO Box 807, Trenton, NJ 08625-0807, telephone toll-free 1-
800-792-8820 or 609-588-6657.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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State Rental Assistance Program (S-RAP)
The State Rental Assistance Program (S-RAP) provides tenant-based and
project-based rental assistance grants or vouchers to households with limited
incomes, similar to the federal Section 8 program. Individuals and households
are not allowed to be on both programs at the same time. Voucher availability is
limited and/or waiting lists exist. A certain number of vouchers are reserved for
specific groups including seniors aged 62 and older and heads of households or
spouses with disabilities. For more information call the NJ Department of
Community Affairs at 609-292-4080 or visit www.state.nj.us/dca.
Federally Assisted Housing Programs
The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) has a wide range
of programs of interest to the senior and disabled consumer. These programs
deal primarily with rental housing and rental assistance programs. Some of
HUD’s housing developments are exclusively for the elderly and individuals with
disabilities, while, in others, these groups are among others considered eligible
tenants. The actual sponsors/developers of the housing may be non-profit or for-
profit organizations, public agencies, or consumer cooperatives. Eligibility is
income-based.
According to the federal Administration of Aging, preference for federally funded
housing is given to people who pay more than 50 percent of their income in rent,
are being displaced from their homes, or live in inadequate housing. Be sure to
notify the agency that you contact if any of these situations apply to you.
Most federally assisted housing provided to the elderly and disabled is funded
under two programs known popularly as “Section 8” and “Section 202.”
Section 8
The Section 8 Housing Assistance Program was created to help very low-income
persons of all ages secure decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private rental
market by helping to pay a portion of the monthly rent. Income limits are
determined by family size and geographic area. Participants usually pay no
more that 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income for rent. The program
pays the balance of the rent to the landlord. The rent must be reasonable.
Individuals age 60 and older can call the ADRC toll-free number
1-877-222-3737 to obtain the address and telephone number of the
county agency that administers the Section 8 program. This program
is funded by HUD and administered by the NJ Division of Housing
and Community Resources, PO Box 051, Trenton, NJ 08625-0051,
telephone 609-984-8453, website
www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr.
For other HUD related information please call HUD at
1-800-569-4287 or visit their website at www.hud.gov.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Section 202
The Section 202 program provides direct, low-interest loans to non-profit
sponsors to finance the construction or rehabilitation of residential projects and
related facilities for those 62 or older and individuals with disabilities. Projects
may be sponsored by private, non-profit organizations, or consumer
cooperatives. Section 202 housing developments may be equipped with
congregate dining facilities, and may provide an array of supportive services,
including health, transportation, and referral services. Residents of nearly all
Section 202 units also receive Section 8 rental assistance.
Independent Living
These facilities are designed for the physically disabled and aged populations --
individuals who are able to live on their own, but want the security and
conveniences of community living. Private funds are most often used to pay for
independent living, although some apartments are subsidized and accept state
and/or federal funding to cover a portion of the payment for low-income
individuals. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover independent living since no
health care is provided. Because these facilities are not licensed by local, state
or federal agencies, there are no formal regulations.
Following is a description of the different independent living options:
Subsidized Apartments for the Elderly and Disabled are rental units,
generally in the form of garden apartments or apartments in high-rise or
mid-rise buildings. The units have been specially designed for, and are
limited to, people who are at least 62 year old or have a disability. Rental
costs are financed by the local, state, or federal government. Sponsors of
this housing include nonprofit or limited profit organizations or public
housing authorities. There are income limitations for eligibility for this type
of housing, and the rents are usually subsidized, with the amount of rent
based upon the income of the household. There are usually lengthy
waiting lists for this housing.
The Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) provides
selected supportive services to low-income elderly persons or adults with
disabilities, residing in certain subsidized housing facilities. CHSP is
intended to provide the physical and social environment that will extend
the time span during which people can live independently.
Services may include:
Housekeeping
Shopping
Laundry
Linen changes
Meal preparation
Companionship
Personal care (such as
bathing and dressing)
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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For additional information about your independent living options, contact
your local AAA/ADRC, or a CHSP provider (Appendix F). You may also
call the Division of Aging Services at 1-800-792-8820.
Boarding Homes
Rooming and boarding houses, as well as, residential health care facilities, serve
a population with diverse backgrounds, including veterans, persons with
disabilities and senior citizens.
A boarding home is a public or privately-owned facility that provides lodging,
meals and/or other services for a fee. Boarding homes usually house three or
more residents; however, there are some facilities that have as many as 40
residents. Residents of a boarding home must be able to manage their own
physical activities such as personal grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting, taking
medicine, eating and walking or moving about. A person can use an assistive
device such as a cane, walker, wheelchair or another similar device, but they
must be independent in its use. These individuals must also be able to transfer
from their bed to their chair without any assistance. All residents must be able to
independently exit the facility within three minutes in the event of a fire or other
disaster. Boarding home costs are not covered by any insurance. Some
facilities will accept a person’s social security check as payment in full, though
the actual rate is mutually agreed upon at admission.
The New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs licenses boarding homes.
There are different levels of licensing for these facilities:
Level A – Boarding homes that are single rooms for living and sleeping but
do not have facilities or appliances for cooking.
Level B – Boarding homes that offer services limited to laundry and meals.
Level C – Boarding homes that offer some personal assistance and
financial services.
For additional information, contact your local AAA/ADRC, County Welfare
Agency, or the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at 609-633-6286 (for
general information) or 609-984-7834 (for licensing information).
Residential Health Care Facilities (RHCF)
An RHCF is a long-term care alternative that provides residents with a home-like
atmosphere and assistance in getting health services. These facilities offer a
supervised communal housing arrangement that encourages independence for
as long as possible. Most RHCFs are licensed, regulated and inspected by the
NJ Department of Community Affairs. The NJ Department of Health licenses
those RHCFs that are attached to other facilities, such as nursing or assisted
living facilities.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Services Provided
Each facility provides, at a minimum, the following services:
Personal care
Dietary
Health maintenance and
monitoring
Pharmacy
Recreational services
On-site staff
Transportation
Eligibility & Costs
To reside in an RHCF, an individual must be unable to live independently, but
can walk with or without an assistive device; reasonably oriented mentally; and
not have significant medical needs. The financial arrangements for a RHCF
typically consist of an agreed rate included in the admission agreement. Each
resident who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or General
Assistance will receive a personal needs allowance. RHCFs must provide 10%
of its units to those using SSI payments. Also, units are usually shared
occupancy.
For additional information contact:
For more information about free-standing RHCFs contact the NJ Bureau
of Rooming and Boarding Home Standards, P.O. Box 806, Trenton, NJ
08625-0806; telephone 609-633-6251.
For more information about RHCFs attached to other facilities contact the
NJ Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing, PO Box
367, Trenton, NJ 08625-0367; fax 609-633-9060.
To find an RHCF go to
www.state.nj.us/health/healthfacilities/index.shtml.
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
CCRCs provide housing, services, and health care, including nursing home care,
to people of retirement age. The community must provide a continuum of care to
meet the needs of individual residents, beginning with independent living through
skilled nursing care. CCRCs offer a contract that is signed when the person first
enters the community. The contract will define the type of housing and services
to be provided, which usually include meals, housekeeping, linens, 24-hour
security, and recreational services. There is generally a sizable entrance fee
(ranging from $40,000 to over $500,000) that guarantees shelter and access to
various health care services, whether these services are pre-funded or provided
on a fee-for-service basis. Monthly fees from $500 to more than $3,000 are also
charged.
CCRCs are regulated by the NJ Department of Community of Affairs,
telephone 609-633-3888.
For more information contact the NJ Division of Aging Services at
1-800-792-8820 or 609-588-6657 (out of state).
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Assisted Living
Assisted living means a coordinated array of supportive personal and health
services, available 24 hours per day to residents who need these services,
including those who require formal long-term care. Assisted living promotes a
resident’s self-direction and participation in decisions that emphasize
individuality, privacy, dignity and home-like surroundings. There are three
settings for assisted living in New Jersey:
Assisted Living Residence (ALR) – This is a residential facility licensed
by the Department of Health to provide apartment-style living, congregate
dining and assisted living services. Apartment units offer, at a minimum,
one unfurnished room, a private bathroom, a kitchenette and a lockable
door on the unit entrance. Units are single or double occupancy.
Comprehensive Personal Care Home (CPCH) – This is a residential
facility licensed by the Department of Health to provide room and board
and assisted living services. Residential units in a CPCH are typically
shared occupancy but have no more than two residents and have a
lockable door on the unit entrance. These facilities were converted from
previous settings such as residential health care facilities, boarding homes
or nursing facilities.
Assisted Living Program (ALP) – This is a package of assisted living
services, including nursing and personal care, to be provided by an
agency licensed by the Department of Health. This program will be
provided only to individuals residing in public-subsidized housing. It is not
a separate facility, and there are a limited number of buildings in which an
ALP is available.
Services Provided:
The minimum service capacity of an assisted living facility must include:
Personal Care
Nursing
Pharmacy
Dining
Activities
Housekeeping
Recreational Services
Social Work Services
Transportation for Medical
Appointments
Administration of Medications
Some assisted living facilities are designed to accommodate persons with
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. These facilities offer higher staffing
levels and care that supports individual skills and interests, in an environment
designed to minimize confusion and agitation.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
109
Facility Staffing
There is at least one personal care assistant and one additional staff person at
night and sufficient staffing to provide the services indicated by the assessments
of the residents. A registered nurse is available on staff or on call 24 hours a day.
Both administrators and personal care assistants must meet training and
program requirements approved by the NJ Department of Health.
Cost of Services
Assisted living costs vary greatly depending on room size and services offered.
Medicare does not pay for assisted living services. All facilities accept residents
who pay privately, and many now accept Medicaid. In New Jersey, the Managed
Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Medicaid waiver program allows the
state to serve residents in assisted living settings.
It should be clearly specified and outlined in the facility’s admission
agreement/resident contract under what circumstances a contract could be
terminated or result in the resident being moved from the facility. The facility must
also describe the assessment process and the manner in which the resident
and/or family will be involved with meeting resident needs and providing services.
For additional information:
See Appendix T for an Assisted Living Checklist if you are considering
this option.
To find an assisted living facility or program in your area go to
www.state.nj.us/health/healthfacilities/index.shtml.
To learn about programs that help with the cost of assisted living, contact
your AAA/ADRC at 1-877-222-3737.
For licensing and inspection information, contact the NJ Division of
Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing, PO Box 367, Trenton, NJ
08625-0367; fax 609-633-9060.
Adult Family Care (AFC)
AFC is a community option in which up to three people receive room, board and
other supportive health and social services in the home of another, unrelated
person. It is sometimes called adult foster care. An assessment is conducted to
determine the services needed for each participant. A plan of care is then
developed with input from the participant and services are provided according to
that plan. AFC providers are trained and approved by a licensed sponsor
agency. Services provided will be determined by your assessed needs and can
include care management, medication administration, personal care, meal
preparation, transportation, laundry, errands, housekeeping, socialization and
recreational activities, monitoring of funds when requested.
The cost of this option includes a fee for room and board, services, and an
operational cost for the sponsor agency. You can pay privately. It is also a
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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service option under the Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS)
Medicaid waiver program.
For more information on this option, contact your AAA/ADRC.
Nursing Home and Long-Term Care
New Jersey residents who need help completing activities of daily living such as
washing, dressing or feeding have several options as to where such services can
be provided. Today, more and more individuals with disabilities and their families
are choosing to receive care in their homes or in community settings such as
adult medical day care and assisted living facilities rather than in nursing homes.
Despite this trend, nursing homes continue to play an important and necessary
role in our long-term care system by providing quality care for those in need of
intensive and ongoing medical and nursing assistance.
Candidates
Nursing homes may be appropriate for people who fit one or more of the
following categories established by the New Jersey Medicaid program:
Catastrophic illness or accident that requires major changes in lifestyle
and needs.
Debilitation or chronic changes in physical or mental status that causes
deterioration of self-care skills.
Multiple hospital admissions within the past six months.
Previous nursing home admission within the past two years.
Major health needs, such as physical rehabilitation, recuperation after
hospitalization for serious illness or surgery, restorative services, tube
feeding and special equipment or treatment.
Services Offered
All licensed nursing homes must provide:
24-hour skilled nursing
Personal care
Pharmacy
Dining
Activities
Housekeeping
Recreation
Social work
Transportation
All nursing homes are not equally equipped to take care of residents with special
needs (i.e. dialysis, head trauma, tracheotomy). Some nursing homes are
specially licensed to provide more comprehensive care, such as behavior
management, nasogastric tube feeding, ventilator care or oxygen therapy.
Cost of Services
Since nursing home care is the most medically intensive of the long-term care
services, it is also the most expensive. Nursing homes charge a basic daily or
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
111
monthly fee. According to Genworth Financial, Inc., in 2015, the average cost of
a semi-private room in a nursing home in New Jersey is $9,733 per month
($116,800 a year). Some families purchase long-term care insurance in
anticipation of the cost, while most depend on other forms of financing. For
those who meet clinical and financial qualifications, both the Medicare and
Medicaid programs pay for nursing home services, although Medicare coverage
for nursing home care is limited to short-term nursing care within 30 days of a
hospitalization of three or more days and is medically certified. See Appendix
AA, “Who Pays for Long-Term Care.” For more information, see also the
Insurance section.
Facility Monitoring
Nursing facilities in New Jersey are licensed, regulated, inspected and/or certified
by a number of public and private agencies at the state and federal levels,
including the New Jersey Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS). These agencies have separate yet sometimes overlapping jurisdictions.
Oversight of practices in nursing facilities is not limited to the facilities
themselves. Key health care professionals who work in nursing facilities are also
licensed or certified by state agencies, such as the State Board of Medical
Examiners, New Jersey Board of Nursing, Nursing Home Administrators
Licensing Board and the Department of Health Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
Program. Health care workers are subject to disciplinary action from these bodies
for failure to adhere to performance standards.
Additional Quality Resources:
Nursing Home Compare - U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) maintains a federal database that allows searches of
Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes by state, county, city,
zip code and name. It provides detailed information on facility
ownership, number of beds, staffing levels, performance on quality-of-
care measures, and track record in recent inspections. This
information is posted at www.medicare.gov/NHCompare.
A Guide to Community-Based Long Term Care in New Jersey –
This guide you are holding in your hands is posted at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/home/ltcguide.html.
Nursing Home Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) Program
New Jersey has a nursing home PAS to determine the long-term care needs of
Medicaid-eligible individuals, or individuals who may become Medicaid eligible
within 6 months who are seeking long-term care services, whether at home or in
an institution.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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The PAS Program is administered by the NJ Division of Aging
Services, Office of Community Choice Options, PO Box 807, Trenton,
NJ 08625-0807, telephone 609-588-6675.
Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR)
All individuals entering a Medicaid-certified nursing facility (NF) are required to
undergo a PASRR screening prior to NF admission to evaluate for evidence of
mental illness (MI) and/or intellectual disability/developmental disability/related
conditions (ID/DD/RC). A PASRR is also required when a significant change in
condition occurs for those who already reside in a NF. This process is used to
determine the appropriateness of NF services, alternatives to NF placement, and
whether an individual requires specialized services for MI provided by the
Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and/or ID/DD/RC provided by
the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). If the PASRR
evaluation/determination prescribes specialized services, then the individual is
ineligible for NF services until specialized services are no longer needed.
Veterans Memorial Homes
The NJ Division of Veterans Healthcare Services oversees the operation of the
state’s three long-term care veterans nursing homes, located in Vineland, Menlo
Park and Paramus. Each facility has a professional staff that provides residents
with a complete range of caring and comprehensive services. These homes are
inspected and licensed annually by the NJ Department of Health, and the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Residents receive compassionate medical and
nursing care 24 hours a day. Respite care is available for caretakers who need a
rest from the stress of caring for a veteran at home.
If you are interested in applying to one of the veteran’s homes, please contact
the homes directly. The telephone numbers are listed below.
NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Paramus
1 Veterans Drive, PO Box 608, Paramus, NJ 07652-0608; tel. 201-634-8200
NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park
132 Evergreen Road, PO Box 3013, Edison, NJ 08818-3013; tel. 732-452-4100
NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Vineland
524 North West Boulevard, Vineland, NJ 08360-2895; tel. 856-405-4200
For additional information:
Contact the nearest Veterans Service Office for additional information
and assistance. A complete list of offices is included in Appendix R.
Visit the website www.nj.gov/military/veterans/index.html
Call the Veterans Benefit Hotline: 1-888-865-8387
Call the Veterans Counseling Hotline: 1-866-838-7654
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Nursing Home Transitions
Community Choice Program
The statewide Community Choice Program is designed to assure that senior
citizens, persons with disabilities, and their families are aware of the choices they
have when it comes to long-term care. The program helps short-term Medicaid
nursing facility residents and hospital patients explore the various community-
based alternatives. The resident’s discharge is coordinated with other state and
community agencies and necessary support services are provided to help make
the transition from a nursing facility to community housing. Through this program,
counselors:
Provide information on special housing, community programs and in-home
services;
Explain any financial or medical requirements;
Coordinate with your discharge planner to find services that support
dignity, choice and independence; and
Help you and your family to make arrangements so that you will receive
service in an appropriate community setting via an Interdisciplinary Team
meeting.
An interdisciplinary team that includes participants and/or their guardians, social
workers, discharge planners, and other care professionals decide what services
are needed on a case-by-case basis and include those services in individual and
flexible plans of care. All participants receive care management services and are
enrolled in a Medicaid waiver program that most appropriately meets their needs
in the community.
Please contact the NJ Division of Aging Services, PO Box 807,
Trenton, NJ 08625-0807, telephone 1-800-792-8820.
I Choose Home – NJ (also known as Money Follows the Person)
A federal demonstration project, I Choose Home – NJ helps eligible individuals
who have been residing in nursing homes and developmental centers for a
minimum of three months (90 consecutive days) move into a community setting.
Individuals are offered transitional services and long-term supports that prevent
or delay the need to return to institutionalized care. This demonstration project is
not a permanent stand-alone program and is due to end in 2020.
Other services that may be available include, but are not limited to:
Homemaker services
Peer/Family mentors
Home Environmental
Modification
Community transition services
(security deposits, moving
expenses, furnishings, one-
time cleaning)
Meal delivery
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Medication administration
On-going assessment
Health monitoring
Transportation
One-time clothing purchase
One-time food purchase
One-time environmental
assessment
A person may only receive a total of 365 days of I Choose Home – NJ eligibility
in his or her lifetime.
To obtain additional information, call: 1-855-HOME-055 (1-855-466-3055), or visit
www.ichoosehome.nj.gov.
Nursing facility residents interested in receiving community-based
supportive services should ask their nursing facility social worker to
contact the appropriate Managed Care Organization (MCO) or Regional
Office of Community Choice Options to arrange for a Community
Choice Counselor visit.
Developmental center residents and/or their guardians interested in
receiving community-based supportive services should speak with their
center social worker.
Utility Assistance Programs
Energy/Utility Assistance
When energy costs rise, heating and air conditioning bills can become a factor in
an individual’s ability to stay in his or her current home. New Jersey has several
energy assistance programs, as well as laws that prevent utility companies from
shutting off service to senior and disabled households that are experiencing a
financial hardship.
If you are an elderly or disabled customer having financial problems paying for
your electric or gas bill, you should request the utility company to enroll you in a
budget plan in accordance with your ability to pay. You are required to make
good faith payments of all reasonable bills for service. Residential service can
be shut off after proper notice. A utility may not shut off residential service on
Friday, Saturday, Sunday or a holiday or the day before a holiday, or if a valid
medical emergency exists in your household.
The following utility assistance programs may be able to assist you or your loved
one:
Comfort Partners is a program designed to improve energy affordability for
income eligible households through direct installation of free energy efficiency
measures and education about steps everyone can take to save energy.
Participants are offered comprehensive, personalized energy education and
counseling and asked to partner with the program to develop and carry out a
household energy savings action plan.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Services offered can include:
Efficient lighting products
Hot water conservation
measures
Replacement of inefficient
refrigerators
Thermostats; insulation
upgrades
Blower-door guided air
sealing
Duct sealing and repair
Heating/cooling equipment
maintenance
Eligibility Requirements:
The Comfort Partners program is available to any New Jersey household with
significant use, having an income at or below 225% of the federal poverty
guidelines.
For more information call:
Call 1-877-773-8326 or visit their website at
www.njcleanenergy.com.
If your primary source of heat is oil, propane or kerosene, contact the
Department of Community Affairs, Office of Weatherization at 609-984-
1947.
The Heating Oil Cost Assistance program is operated by the New Jersey
Citizen Action’s Oil Group (NJCAOG). The NJCAOG is comprised of thousands
of heating oil consumers who have joined together to negotiate a lower price with
local dealers. After joining, members are assigned a supplier. They then call
that supplier and make arrangement for fuel delivery but at the Oil Group’s
discounted price. Generally, the prices members pay are 10–30% less than
average retail prices. The annual membership fee for persons aged 60 and older
was $15 in 2015.
For more information call New Jersey Citizen Action, toll-free
at 1-800-464-8465, or visit their website at www.njcaoilgroup.com.
CITGO/Citizens Energy
In partnership with CITGO, Citizens Energy works with thousands of oil heat
dealers and local fuel assistance agencies to provide deliveries of home heating
oil to those in need. The program provides eligible families a one-time delivery of
100 free gallons of home heating oil.
For program availability and additional information call 1-800-JOE-4-OIL
(1-800-563-4645), or visit the website www.citizensenergy.com.
The Lifeline Program is a utility assistance program that offers $225 to
persons who meet the PAAD eligibility requirements or who receive
Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This includes utility customers as well as
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
116
tenants whose utility bills are included in their rent. Only one tenant in a
household is entitled to this assistance. Your Lifeline benefit provides for only
electricity and natural gas. Other fuels, such as bottled or propane gas, oil, coal,
or wood, are NOT covered.
Eligibility:
Consumers must meet one of the following:
Recipient of PAAD;
Meet the eligibility requirements for PAAD;
Recipient of Medical Assistance to the Aged (MAA);
Recipient of Medical Assistance Only (MAO); or
Recipient of the New Jersey Care.
For more information about Lifeline, please call 1-800-792-9745.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed
to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically
necessary cooling costs. Applicants must be responsible for home heating or
cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent; and have gross income at or
below 200% (in 2015) of the federal poverty level. The LIHEAP application is
also used for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program (see below). Therefore,
if you qualify, you are enrolled in both energy assistance programs through a
single application.
Universal Service Fund (USF) is a program created to help make energy bills
more affordable for low-income customers. The goal of the USF program is to
ensure that income eligible New Jersey utility customers pay no more than 6% of
their annual income for their natural gas and electric service combined.
Households with income equal to or less than 175% of the federal poverty level
are income eligible.
For more information about LIHEAP and/or USF, visit
www.energyassistance.nj.gov or call toll-free at 1-800-510-3102.
NJSHARES is a non-profit corporation organized to provide assistance to
individuals and families living in New Jersey who are in need of temporary help in
paying their energy bills. New Jersey SHARES can assist with up to $700 for
heating source (gas and electric), and up to $500 for electric, or up to $700 for
electrically-heated homes.
Eligibility:
A person or family must be facing a financial crisis and not eligible for welfare.
Recipients must also have a history of good-faith payments of their utility bills.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Call NJSHARES at 1-866-657-4273 or visit www.njshares.org.
The Winter Termination Program is in effect from November 15
through March 15, with the goal of preventing residential customers from having
their gas or electric service disconnected during the winter months. The Board of
Public Utilities administers this program.
Eligibility:
Customers may be eligible if they participate in any of the following:
LIHEAP
Work First New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
(WFNJ/TANF)
Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
Persons unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond
their control including unemployment, illness, medically related expenses,
recent death of a spouse and any other circumstances which might cause
financial hardship.
For more information on the Winter Termination Program, call
1-800-624-0241 or visit www.njcommunityresources.info.
Additional Utility Assistance Programs
Other programs are in existence that may be available to assist individuals with
water and sewer utilities, cable, and telephone services, including:
Communications Lifeline Telephone Services – Through the Verizon
Telephone Company discounted residential telephone service is available
for households that make less than three local calls per day which last five
minutes or less, or that spend less than one and a half hours a week on
local calls. You may qualify for Lifeline service if you can show proof that
you participate in certain government assistance programs or your annual
income is 150% or below the Federal Poverty Guideline and you are 65
years of age or older. Call 1-888-337-3339 or visit
www.verizon.com/?lid=//global//residential and click on “Support”.
Senior Citizen Telephone Deposit Program – The Verizon Telephone
Company has a program that enables residents of subsidized senior
housing to obtain phone service. Verizon will waive the deposit fee
(typically $100) for elderly and other tenants living in subsidized senior
housing. Those eligible must have a good credit record with the phone
company and must be a new customer, i.e., the person has not been a
phone customer recently. Individuals receiving the waiver will be
responsible for all other telephone costs, including purchase of the phone,
installation costs and monthly service charges. To find out if you are
eligible for the deposit waiver, contact your County Welfare Agency.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
118
Cable Television Discount – The cable television companies may, if
they choose, offer a discount rate for cable television reception to senior
citizens age 62 and older or disabled individuals meeting the income and
residency eligibility requirements of the PAAD program, if there is no more
than one non-senior/disabled person in the household.
Water and Sewer – Any municipality or county authority may establish
within its district rates or schedules that provide for a reduction or total
abatement of water and sewer charges. Persons residing in the district
and who meet specified guidelines are eligible if the benefit is offered. For
further information, please contact your local municipal or county utilities
or sewerage authority.
Multiple Dwellings: Rent Grace
Any senior citizen receiving Social Security Pension, Railroad Retirement
Pension, or any other government pension in lieu of Social Security must be
given a five-day grace period for payment when rent is due on the first of the
month.
For a copy of the law, please contact the Office of Landlord-Tenant
Information, NJ Department of Community Affairs, PO Box 805,
Trenton, NJ 08625-0805 or visit their website:
www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/landlord_tenant_information.
html.
Condominium Conversion
Under the Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act, for those
persons 62 and older and certain disabled veterans, there is a possibility of
obtaining protection against eviction on the grounds that the building is being
converted to a condominium or cooperative provided the following guidelines are
met:
The building in which they reside contains at least three rental units;
The dwelling unit in which they or their spouse or civil union partner reside
has been the principal residence for at least one year immediately
preceding the conversion recording; and
Their income is no higher than three times the county per capita personal
income (which changes annually), or $50,000, whichever is greater.
Before the landlord can begin the conversion process, an application package for
protected tenancy must be sent to the municipal administering agency.
For copies of the law and regulations concerning the Senior Citizen and
Disabled Protected Tenancy Act, contact the Office of Landlord-Tenant
Information (see contact information above).
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
119
Safe Housing and Transportation Program
The purpose of the Safe Housing and Transportation Program is to provide a
safe environment for senior citizens through the provision of home repair
services, safety improvements, and escorted transportation services.
The escorted transportation program is prioritized to serve seniors living in high
crime areas with special emphasis being placed on seniors living alone and frail
elderly aged 75 and older. Programs funded under residential maintenance focus
on alleviating existing conditions which are detrimental to the health and safety of
the elderly. The program is administered through the 21 Area Agencies on
Aging.
For additional information, please contact your local Area Agency on
Aging (AAA) or Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)
toll-free at 1-877-222-3737, or call the NJ Division of Aging Services,
toll-free at 1-800-792-8820.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Personal Notes
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For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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8. TRANSPORTATION
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
122
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
123
8. Transportation
Transportation is one of the key services seniors looking to age in place and
individuals with disabilities need to maintain their independence. But finding
safe, reliable and free or low-cost transportation can be difficult.
The Older Driver
Driving allows you to maintain your independence and stay connected to your
community, but changes in physical, mental, and sensory abilities can affect
driving skills. Sometimes these changes happen so slowly that you are not even
aware that your driving safety is at risk. Fortunately, you can cope with many of
these changes by learning your limits and adjusting your driving.
Are you a safe driver?
You as a driver are responsible for assuring personal and public safety when
operating a vehicle. The following are statements for you to consider as you
assess your safety as a driver.
I forget to buckle up.
I get lost while driving.
Other cars seem to appear out of nowhere.
I have trouble seeing signs in time to respond to them.
Other drivers drive too fast.
Other drivers often honk at me.
Driving stresses me out.
After driving, I feel tired.
I have had more “near misses” lately.
Busy intersections bother me.
Left-hand turns make me nervous.
The glare from oncoming headlights bothers me.
My medication makes me dizzy or drowsy.
I have trouble turning the steering wheel.
I have trouble pushing down on the gas pedal or brakes.
I have trouble looking over my shoulder when I back up.
I have been stopped by the police for my driving recently.
People will no longer accept rides from me.
I don’t like to drive at night.
I have more trouble parking lately.
If you can relate to any of these statements, your safety and the safety of others
may be at risk when you drive. Talk to your doctor to have a more detailed and
careful driver screen.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
124
Additional resources to consider include:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Advisory Board has produced a
booklet about how to have a productive conversation with older drivers. It
can be accessed on-line and is available at
www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/olddrive/UnderstandOlderDrivers/
The AARP’s article, 10 Signs That it’s Time to Limit or Stop Driving, is
available on-line at www.aarp.org/home-garden/transportation/info-05-
2010/Warning_Signs_Stopping.html.
The Grand Driver at www.aamva.org/GrandDriver/ provides links to
useful information as to what you can do to remain a safe driver.
Adaptive Driving for Individuals with Disabilities
A wide range of adaptive driving equipment and vehicle modifications are
available today. Depending on your disability, an adapted vehicle may include
hand controls for braking and accelerating, power assist devices for easy
steering, touch ignition pads and gear shifts, adjustable driver’s seats, automatic
door openers and even joysticks for people with extremely limited hand function.
You may initially want to obtain an evaluation from a qualified driver evaluator,
who will assist in determining your basic driving set up, specific modifications and
driving equipment to match your needs.
To find a qualified evaluator, visit your local Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation (See Appendix I) or contact the Association for Driver
Rehabilitation Specialists, toll-free at 1-866-672-9466, or
www.aded.net.
The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is a
trade group of companies that sell adaptive driving equipment.
Call toll-free 1-800-833-0427 or visit www.nmeda.com.
The National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration
offers advice on driver training, vehicle selection and modification. Visit
www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/adaptive/brochure/brochure.html.
Accessible Parking
Under New Jersey law, an individual with a disability may obtain either a special
license plate or vehicle placard that provides special parking privileges. To
obtain a request form that must be certified by a physician or podiatrist, call the
Motor Vehicle Commission at 609-292-6500 or (TTY) 609-292-5120.
Transportation Information and Services
It may be easier for you to give up driving if you have other ways to get around.
The following transportation options will help you make this determination.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
125
County Coordinated Senior/Disabled Transportation Programs
The County Senior/Disabled Transportation Programs provide services to senior
citizens (age 60 and older) and individuals with disabilities. Most counties
provide transportation on weekdays, with limited evening and weekend service.
All 21 counties offer wheelchair accessible transportation and require advance
reservations for rides, varying from one day to fourteen days or more. Most
counties provide no or only limited out-of-county transportation.
Services may vary by county but most offer transportation for non-emergency
medical appointments, dialysis, physical and mental therapies, employment,
grocery shopping, nutrition sites, post-secondary education, Medicaid services,
veterans’ services, social and recreational activities, mall shopping and personal
business – such as hairdresser, banking, etc. It should be noted that priority is
given to transportation for dialysis and medical appointments, and limits apply.
For specific transportation information and service guidelines or to
schedule a ride, contact the transportation program in your county (See
Appendix P).
You may also find helpful information at the New Jersey Council on
Special Transportation’s website at www.njcost.com.
Access Link
Access Link is a public transportation service developed to comply with the Para-
transit regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is for the aged and
individuals with disabilities who are unable to use the local fixed route bus.
Access Link service is provided by NJ Transit and offers a curb-to-curb service.
In order to use Access Link, you must first apply for eligibility. Eligible customers
and companions will be charged a comparable fare based on the bus fare and
number of zones they will be traveling.
Access Link’s Service Area
The Access Link service area is limited to pick-up and drop-off points
located within a ¾-mile radius of an eligible bus route. Access Link
shadows local fixed route buses. The bus routes defined as commuter
routes are not included in the Access Link service area.
Eligibility - Applying for Access Link
All persons interested in applying for Access Link service are required to
attend an in-person transportation assessment interview at a participating
assessment agency. If you require transportation to the assessment
agency, round-trip service on Access Link may be provided. Please make
this request when scheduling your transportation assessment interview.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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To arrange for a transportation assessment appointment, contact NJ
TRANSIT by dialing 1-800-955-2321 (TTY 1-800-955-6765) between
the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can
also contact NJ TRANSIT Accessible Bus and Train Information
Service at 1-973-275-5555 or (TTY) 1-800-772-2287. Their website is
www.njtransit.com.
Additional Transportation Options:
New Jersey Find A Ride - This website, www.njfindaride.org, was designed
to be an information resource about accessible transportation options available to
individuals with disabilities and others in New Jersey who don’t have easy,
reliable access to private automobile transportation.
NJ Transit Reduced Fare Program - Provides senior citizens 62 years of age
or older and individuals with a disability, greater traveling freedom and lower
fares when riding with NJ Transit (buses, trains, and light rail vehicles). Many
private bus companies operating in the state also participate.
You can save one-half or more of the regular one-way fare on most intrastate
bus and rail lines, and most interstate bus and rail routes to and from New York
and Pennsylvania from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM weekdays,
and all day on weekends and holidays. Personal assistants ride for free when
the individual with a disability presents proper identification.
If you require a personal assistant, the physician must certify this as well so that
your Reduced Fare ID Card can be stamped accordingly. People with visual
impairments can also contact the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually
Impaired. A Commission representative will fill out, certify and mail an application
to NJ TRANSIT.
For more information contact the NJ TRANSIT Reduced Fare
Program, 180 Boyden Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040, telephone
973-491-7112. For information on lift-equipped buses call
973-275-5555 daily, 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Hearing impaired persons should
call 1-800-772-2287.
Alternative Options
If you can’t go out to get something you need, have it come to you. Many stores
will deliver their products straight to your door, such as grocery stores and
pharmacies. Catalog and Internet shopping could also be used as an alternative.
You can buy almost everything you need from catalogs or over the Internet.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
127
9. STAYING ACTIVE AND INVOLVED
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
128
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
129
9. Staying Active and Involved
Staying active and involved is the key to maintaining health and independence
and can lower your risk for many common diseases and help you to recover
faster when you do get sick.
Exercise and Fitness
Strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance are four assets that are important to
preserving health and independence. Regular exercise and physical activity will
assist you to maintain -- or even partly restore -- lost function in these four areas.
Being active can also help you delay, and in some cases, prevent conditions
associated with aging. No matter how frail a person is, exercise can be
incorporated into your daily routine. A group fitness program can be beneficial by
providing social interaction and motivation, which may assist you to overcome
your resistance to exercising.
It is important to incorporate activities you enjoy into your exercise routine.
Some exercise options include:
Walking
Swimming
Dancing
Cycling
Gardening
Tai Chi
Stretching
Resistance training
Strength training
Aerobic exercise
Safety Tips
Always consult your doctor before beginning an exercise regimen. If you do
begin an exercise program, consider these safety tips:
Start slow. Add to your exercise routine gradually.
Be sure to warm up your muscles before stretching. Try walking and light
arm pumping to get the blood flow going.
Keep breathing during strength exercises. Holding your breath can cause
blood pressure fluctuations. Whenever lifting anything, you should
breathe out and breathe in as you relax.
Use equipment appropriate for the activity, such as a bike helmet or
proper footwear.
Drink plenty of fluids while active unless you are on a fluid restriction.
Be aware when bending; always bend at the hips and not the waist. This
will help to prevent back injuries.
Before stretching be sure to warm up your muscles. Try walking and light
arm pumping to get the blood flow going.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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To locate a fitness program in your area, check with your local YMCA, churches,
and senior centers, as well as your county AAA/ADRC.
You can also contact the following organizations for more information:
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, at
1-800-900-8086 (voice or TTY), or www.ncpad.org, provides information
and resources that enable people with disabilities to become as physically
active as they choose to be.
National Institute on Aging at 1-800-222-2225, TTY 1-800-222-4225 or
www.nia.nih.gov, offers a free on-line publications and an exercise video.
NIH Senior Health, at http://nihseniorhealth.gov, is a senior-friendly
website featuring information on popular health topics, and includes both a
large-type and a talking feature that reads text aloud.
YMCA of the USA at 1-800-872-9622, or www.ymca.net, will assist you
in locating a facility within your community.
Health & Wellness Programs
Health and wellness is important for both the aging and the physically disabled.
Research has shown that giving people information on healthy practices leads to
positive behavioral changes that powerfully affect one’s health and quality of life.
Encouraging people to engage in evidence-based disease prevention programs
is a key strategy to address the impact of chronic disease and the prevention of
secondary conditions.
The following programs are specifically designed for older adults (generally age
60 and older).
HealthEASE Health Education
This educational series includes important information on eight health promotion
topics of interest to older adults and their caregivers. The modules are titled:
Exercise and Getting Fit
Serving Up Good Nutrition
Bone Up On Your Health – osteoporosis and falls prevention
Be Wise About Your Medications – medication management and
substance abuse
Keeping Up The Beat – self management techniques for cardiovascular
disease
Maximizing Memory – maintaining memory and cognitive skills
Standing Tall Against Falls – falls prevention
Women’s Health
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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The modules can be delivered individually or as a series. Health and aging
professionals are trained to deliver the modules through a half-day program
provided by the NJ Department of Human Services.
Move Today Exercise Class
A one-hour non-aerobic exercise class designed to improve flexibility, balance
and stamina. Exercises can be done while sitting or standing. Classes are led
by trained peer leaders and meet weekly or bi-weekly for twelve sessions.
Program features include:
A brief education component focusing on an exercise-related topic.
Inexpensive exercise bands used to gain maximum effect from resistance
exercises.
A major focus on good posture and falls prevention.
An exercise intensity scale and a weekly exercise log to track participant
activity.
A self-assessment process for participants to assess their health, physical
well-being and intent for behavior change conducted before and upon
completion of the program.
Take Control of Your Health (A Chronic Disease Self-Management
Program)
Take Control of Your Health is an evidence-based, six-week course that meets
once a week for two hours and is designed to give people with chronic conditions
(such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, and
osteoporosis) and/or their caregivers the knowledge, skills and confidence they
need to take a more active part in their health care. Trained leaders who want to
help other people learn to gain control of their conditions teach the program.
Participants learn strategies for managing symptoms, working with health care
professionals, setting weekly goals, problem solving, relaxing, handling difficult
emotions, eating well, and exercising safely and easily. It is designed to
complement, not replace, professional health care services.
Project Healthy Bones
This exercise and education program is for people with or at risk of osteoporosis
and is based on research that links strength training exercises to improved bone
density in older adults. It includes exercises that target the body’s larger muscle
groups to improve strength, balance and flexibility. The 24-week curriculum
includes sessions on the importance of exercise, nutrition, safety, drug therapy,
and lifestyle factors. This program is peer-led. Lead coordinators from local
health departments, county offices on aging, Retired and Senior Volunteer
Programs (RSVPs) and other community-based organizations coordinate the
program at the local level and oversee program delivery and training for peer
leaders.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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A Matter of Balance
A Matter of Balance is a community-based program specifically designed to
reduce fear of falling and improve activity levels among older adults. The
program includes eight classes, each lasting two hours, presented over a four-
week period by trained coaches using a detailed training manual, two
instructional videos and a visit from a guest health professional. A Matter of
Balance is available in select counties only.
To learn more about these wellness programs, or to locate a participating
provider in your area, contact your local Agency on Aging/Aging and
Disability Resource Connection (AAA/ADRC), or the NJ Division of
Aging Services at 1-609-588-6658.
New Jersey Disability Health & Wellness Initiative
The New Jersey Disability Health & Wellness Initiative (NJDH&W), funded
originally by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is located at
the Division of Disability Services (DDS). It seeks to promote healthy living and
prevention of secondary conditions among children and adults with disabilities.
DDS works to identify gaps in the State health-care system and also identifies
and recommends initiatives that will help meet those needs - to promote overall
well-being for people with disabilities of all ages.
For additional information, contact the NJ Division of Disability Services
(DDS) at 1-888-285-3036.
Employment Opportunities
Research indicates that individuals who participate in productive activities such
as work have better physical and mental health and lower mortality rates.
Workforce 55+
A statewide program known as WorkForce 55+ (WF55+) brings together the
talents of older workers and unmet needs of the communities by:
Providing income and gainful part-time subsidized work activities for low-
income older persons;
Demonstrating how low-income older workers can help respond to the
delivery of their community’s service needs by working in community
service jobs; and
Transitioning job-ready older persons into quality jobs in private, public
and non-profit sectors through training and job finding assistance.
The focus of Workforce 55+ is training and transitioning program enrollees into
unsubsidized jobs with private sector and/or public sector employers.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
133
For information on this program contact the New Jersey Department of
Labor and Workforce Development, Division of One Stop Programs and
Services, PO Box 055, Trenton, NJ 08625-0055, website:
www.jobs4jersey.com/jobs4jersey/jobseekers/older/ or information can
be obtained by calling the AAA/ADRC toll-free number 1-877-222-3737.
One-Stop Career Centers
For individuals seeking employment, The One-Stop Career service delivery
system promotes universal access to information and services needed to get
jobs. The system serves as the single point of contact for job seekers and
employers seeking information about workforce development activities and
access to all local employment and training services.
One-Stop Career Centers can help you:
Find a job
Strengthen your job-search skills
Get training
Improve reading and basic skills
Network your way to a job
Use labor market information to make career decisions
Start your own business, as well as
Assisting individuals who are:
Disabled
A Veteran
An older worker
There are local One-Stop Career Centers in every county (see Appendix
N). Call 1-877-872-5627/TTY 1-877-889-5627 for your local One-Stop
Career Center or visit www.jobs4jersey.com/jobs4jersey/jobseekers/.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS)
The Division of Vocational and Rehabilitation Services provides services that
enable persons with disabilities to find jobs or keep their existing jobs.
Services Offered:
Diagnostic evaluation (no cost
service)
Vocational counseling &
guidance (no cost)
Placement services (no cost)
Job seeking skills
Supported employment (no
cost)
Time limited placement and
coaching (no cost)
Job accommodations
Skills training
College training
Physical restoration
Emotional restoration
Mobility equipment
Driver training
Vehicle modification
Home modification
Work adjustment training (no
cost)
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Services with Cost
Expenses for medical services, training, books, supplies, tools, and equipment
are based on an individual’s ability to pay. DVRS financial criteria are less
restrictive than those of many other agencies. Counselors are required to locate
comparable benefits, that is, identical services available from other sources.
For additional information contact the NJ Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation Services at 609-292-5987, or visit their website at
http://jobs4jersey.com/jobs4jersey/jobseekers/disable/index.html.
Blind and Visually Impaired
The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) provides
comprehensive employment services, including:
Vocational evaluation
Counseling
Guidance
Training
Job placement
For additional information contact the NJ Commission for the Blind and
Visually Impaired (CBVI), Northern Regional Office 973-648-2111,
Central Regional Office 732-308-4001, and Southern Regional Office 856-
482-3700. Their website is
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/index.html.
Additional information you may find useful:
Civic Ventures at www.encore.org is a non-profit organization that
explores new ways for people over 65 to continue to make a contribution.
DisabilityInfo.gov at www.disabilityinfo.gov covers a variety of topics
related to employment of people with disabilities.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many opportunities on the local, state and national level for individuals
to volunteer their time and expertise to benefit their community. The following
represents just a few examples:
National Senior Service Corps
The National Senior Service Corps, or Senior Corps, is funded and administered
by the Corporation for National Service. Volunteers serve full or part time
through local sponsoring agencies and organizations. It includes the following
programs:
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
135
Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) – This program provides stipends,
transportation and other support services to low-income elders working as
part-time volunteers who provide one-on-one assistance to children with
special and exceptional needs. They also serve as mentors to youth.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) – This program
provides a variety of opportunities for retired persons aged 55 or older to
participate more fully in the life of their community through volunteer
service. Volunteers serve in a variety of agencies.
Senior Companion Program (SCP) – This program offers part time
volunteer community service opportunities for low-income persons age 60
and over. The volunteers work in community service activities serving
adults with physical, mental or emotional impairments.
To find out if these programs are available in your area please, contact
your local Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), Area
Agency on Aging (AAA), or Senior Corp at 1-800-942-2677 or
www.cns.gov.
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps actively recruits older persons to serve as volunteers. Persons
accepted as volunteers agree to spend at least two years assisting people of
developing countries meet their basic needs for food, health care, shelter,
education and economic development. Before being placed in a service position,
there is a training period of 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the country and nature
of the assignment. Volunteers receive a monthly living allowance, health
services, and vacation.
For additional information you can contact the Peace Corps recruiting
office toll-free at 1-855-855-1961, or write to them at 201 N. Varick St.,
Suite 1025, New York, NY 10014. Their website is
www.peacecorps.gov.
SCORE Programs
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a volunteer program of the U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA). Through SCORE, seasoned volunteer
business executives with management and technical expertise are connected
with owners/managers of small businesses needing management counseling.
To find the location of a SCORE office nearest you, contact the Small
Business Administration at: 2 Gateway Center, 15th floor, Newark, NJ
07102, 1-800-634-0245 or visit the website at www.score.org.
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AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps (the domestic Peace Corps) is the national service program that
provides people of all ages and backgrounds with education awards in exchange
for a year or two of community service within the United States.
For more information on AmeriCorps and other national service programs,
please contact the Commission on National and Community Service,
NJ Department of State, at 609-633-9627.
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is a volunteer program for persons 18
years of age or older to work with low-income persons to assist them in
improving the conditions of their lives. VISTA volunteers are assigned to local
sponsors who may be state or local public agencies, or private non-profit
organizations.
For more information on VISTA, contact the NJ Corporation for National
Service, 44 South Clinton Ave., Suite 312, Trenton, NJ 08609 or
telephone 609-989-2246.
You may also find the following helpful to connect you with volunteering
opportunities:
The Volunteer New Jersey Partnership at www.volunteernewjersey.org is
a statewide web-based volunteer database, specifically geared to address and
meet the needs of all NJ communities. Their database serves as NJ’s virtual
volunteer center capable of matching volunteers with charitable organizations
looking for help.
Lifelong Learning
Adult Education
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development provides
funds for English basic skills instructional programs which are offered statewide
free of charge. These programs are designed for persons who are the least
educated and lack the most basic educational skills. Adult basic education
programs provide developmental reading, mathematics, and employability skills
that are needed for productive employment and effective citizenship.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development also funds free ESL
programs. These programs are designed to improve the English language
communications skills of persons whose native language is not English and who
are limited English proficient. Instruction takes place in English and stresses the
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listening, speaking, reading and writing skills needed to function in an English-
speaking environment.
High School Diploma
There are three ways for adults to earn a high school diploma in NJ: 1) earn a
locally issued adult high school diploma by completing high school course
requirements; 2) earn a state-issued high school diploma through successful
completion of the General Educational Development test (GED) exam; or 3) earn
a state-issued high school diploma through completion of 30 college credits
leading toward an undergraduate degree. There are 26 GED Testing Centers
located in 19 counties throughout the state.
For further information on the above programs, please contact Workforce
Readiness and Literacy at 609-292-9722.
College Programs and Services
Each public institution of higher education in NJ may, if they so choose, permit
persons aged 65 and older to enroll in regularly scheduled courses without the
payment of any tuition charges, provided that available classroom space permits,
and tuition-paying students constitute the minimum number required for the
course. The courses may be for either credit or non-credit. Registration fees may
be required. The age requirement may vary from institution to institution. For
additional information, please contact the Registrar’s Office of the public college
you may be interested in attending.
Recreation, Amusement, and Entertainment
New Jersey offers an impressive array of outdoor activities including state and
national parks, forests, and recreation areas to name a few. Seniors and
persons with disabilities may be entitled to receive discounts and/or free entrance
to various New Jersey recreational sites.
Beaches
Many public beaches offer discounted passes to seniors and persons with
disabilities. For further information, please contact the governing body of the
municipality where the beach is located.
Forests and Parks
With 39 state parks and 11 state forests, New Jersey offers several choices for
the outdoor lover to choose from. Federal and State discount programs may also
be available to eligible residents age 62 or older, or for individuals with physical
disabilities.
Federal Programs
The following passport (discount) programs can be obtained in-person or at most
federally operated recreation areas where fees are charged.
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America the Beautiful Annual Pass – for persons under age 62, this
passport allows for an annual entrance permit to federal parks,
monuments, historic sites and recreation areas. The passport admits the
permit holder and any accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-
commercial vehicle. This does not cover use fees. Annual cost was
$80.00 in 2015.
America the Beautiful Senior Pass – for persons 62 and older, this
permit offers a free lifetime entrance permit to national parks, monuments,
historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges which charge
entrance fees. It also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees
charged for facilities and services such as parking, camping, boat
launching, etc. One-time fee: $10.00 in 2015.
America the Beautiful Access Pass – for blind and permanently
disabled persons, this passport allows for a free lifetime entrance permit to
those national parks, monuments, and recreation areas, which charge
entrance fees. This passport also provides a 50% discount on federal use
fees charged for facilities and services such as parking, camping, boat
launching, and the like. No initial fee.
Park-Specific Pass – allows for unlimited entries only to the park unit for
which it is purchased and does not cover or reduce use fees.
For information on these programs contact the National Park Service,
200 Chestnut Street, U.S. Custom House Building, Philadelphia, PA
19106; telephone 1-877-465-2727; website www.nps.gov.
NJ State Park Program
New Jersey offers Senior Citizen Pass, a state run program for persons 62 or
older, allows the holder free entry and free parking at any park, forest, or historic
site administered by the Division of Parks and Forestry.
For information on the Senior Citizen Pass, contact the NJ Division of
Parks and Forestry, Administrative Services, NJ Department of
Environmental Protection, PO Box 404, Trenton NJ 08625-0404;
telephone 1-800-843-6420.
Hunting
Residents ages 65 and older are entitled to a license to hunt with hounds,
firearms or with bow and arrow for a reduced fee instead of the regular fee.
To obtain a hunting license, apply in writing to the NJ Division of Fish
and Wildlife, Marine Fisheries Administration NJ Department of
Environmental Protection, PO Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400, or call
609-292-2965. Proof of age must be submitted with the application.
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Fishing
New Jersey residents of at least six months, ages 65 through 69, may obtain a
fishing license at a reduced fee. If blind, there is no charge for a fishing license to
New Jersey residents. Residents over the age of 70 are not required to obtain a
license or trout stamp.
To apply for a license, write to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife,
Marine Fisheries Administration, NJ Department of Environmental
Protection, PO Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400, or call 609-292-2965.
Proof of age must be submitted with application.
Public Golf Courses
Many public golf courses offer reduced rates to senior citizens. To determine
whether a particular public golf course offers such discounts, please contact that
golf course directly.
Senior Centers
Senior centers are great places to meet for social, cultural and recreational
activities. These centers can offer assistance and education related to local
programs and services and serves a variety of social and recreational needs in
the community. Many senior centers may offer the following types of services:
arts and crafts, movies, aerobics, self-defense, Tai Chi, computer training, health
screenings, shopping, trips, seminars and special events. Some also serve as
congregate meal sites. Senior centers serve multicultural and bilingual groups
and organize volunteer activities in the community.
To find a senior center in your area call your local Area Agency on Aging
(AAA) or Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC).
Assistance at the Polls
Voters who are blind or disabled, or unable to read and write, are entitled to
receive assistance at the polls. In any election any elderly or physically disabled
voter assigned to an inaccessible polling place will, upon advance request of that
voter, either be permitted to vote at the alternative, accessible polling place near
that voter’s residence which has a common ballot or be provided with a civilian
absentee ballot as an alternative means of casting a ballot on the day of election.
Persons desiring further information on assistance at the polls should contact
their County Commissioner of Registration which is either the County Board of
Elections or Superintendent of Elections.
Any questions regarding absentee ballots should be directed to their
County Clerk or the Division of Elections, NJ Department of Law and
Public Safety, PO Box 304, Trenton, NJ 08625-0304, telephone
609-292-3760/TTY 1-800-292-0039.
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10. CAREGIVER CONSIDERATIONS
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10. Caregiver Considerations
Preparing for Caregiving
If you have an aging or a physically disabled adult in your family, you may be a
caregiver or soon to become one. Planning ahead is a luxury that many
caregivers do not have. Most experienced caregivers say they wish they had
started to prepare before facing a crisis. A few key questions to answer are:
Do I know what the person’s wishes would be if he or she were unable to
make medical decisions? Are there any legally binding documents stating
this?
Do I know where important documents, such as insurance, wills, or
financial statements are located?
Do I have the authority to take over his or her finances if the person can
no longer manage money?
ADRCNJ.org
The New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services,
maintains a website for senior citizens, adults with disabilities and their
caregivers at www.adrcnj.gov. The site includes extensive caregiving
resources, educational tools, and self-assessment. It has a searchable database
by topic and county and includes short descriptions and contact information for
accessing important services for the caregiver and his or her loved ones. The
site is available in a variety of languages.
Starting the Conversation
If you are the caregiver of a senior or adult with a physical disability, it may be up
to you to start a conversation with your loved one regarding your concerns as it
relates to their health, safety and overall well-being. Ideally, such conversations
should happen before there is a crisis. It can be prompted by a decrease in a
person’s ability to do certain things she or he has always handled independently.
Your loved one may find it difficult to discuss issues or may be relieved to talk
about their own concerns once the issues are raised. Don’t assume that you are
the only one who wants to talk.
You may want to start the conversation by talking about an article you read or
something you saw on television about someone in a similar situation. This will
assure the person that he or she is not the only person whose life is changing—
others are experiencing the same changes and confronting similar issues.
Who Should Be There?
Consider how to make the conversation as caring and productive as possible. If
possible, talk together with your family before meeting with the person needing
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supportive services. Give everyone the chance to discuss their own needs and
concerns, and what role they want to or are willing to play as part of a family
caregiving team.
Small Steps
You probably do not want to begin with the big picture. Start with small steps,
small decisions, and small changes. It is important to be direct and specific about
your concerns, next steps, or even solutions.
Sometimes an assessment by an outside expert can be a good starting point. For
instance, if the person has stopped eating or showering, you might suggest
bringing in a social worker or occupational therapist to assess the person’s ability
to do daily tasks and make suggestions about how to make things easier and
safer. As stated in the Getting Started section, your local AAA/ADRC is an
excellent starting point.
What About Denial?
At first, the person may deny that there is a problem at all. This is very common.
Concerns such as the person’s ability to continue driving is a particularly
sensitive topic. (See the Transportation section of this handbook). However, a
successful conversation does not mean that you both reach complete
agreement. You have made progress simply by starting the conversation and
beginning the process of planning for the future. Be prepared to have several
talks over a period of time. Being supportive and sympathetic about the difficulty
of change and the person’s fears, as well as his or her loss of independence, will
help ease defensiveness and make him or her more receptive to what you are
saying.
Listen Carefully
Remember that the person needing support is the expert on his or her situation.
Listen thoughtfully to his or her ideas as you present your concerns and
suggestions. Rather than telling the person what he or she must do or change,
ask the person to help you assess the problem and welcome his or her input on
possible solutions. The person must ultimately own the solution. You may be
surprised to discover that he or she is also worried or feels unsafe, and is
comforted to learn that support is available.
Assessing Care Needs
The first step to assuming a caregiver role is to develop a care plan based on a
careful assessment of current needs. The plan will depend in part on whether the
person has had a sudden health crisis or physical injury, a medical condition that
is progressive, such as dementia or vision deterioration, or has needs due to a
normal and gradual process of aging. But a plan is only as good as the
information it is based on. Ask yourself:
How do I assess what kind of care is needed?
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How can I get help in making this assessment?
Once I understand the needs, what kind of services should be put in
place?
What services will be needed down the road?
For more about assessment of needs, see the Getting Started and Home
Care sections of this handbook.
Finding Services
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you begin to navigate the long-term
care supportive services system:
Talk to a real person. Many phone numbers you call will lead to voicemail.
It’s important to leave a message, but don’t wait for a call back. Some
services have backlogs of calls to return. Keep calling numbers until you
connect with a human being who can help you.
Keep track of your conversations. Write down names, phone numbers,
and notes from each call.
Most services are ultimately local, and can vary widely from state to state
and region to region. If you are caring for someone but not living nearby,
make sure you look for resources in the state or neighborhood where the
person lives.
Be persistent. You may get frustrated trying to find the person and the
information you need. You may be told that something cannot be done
when in fact it can. Don’t give up!
Ask for “Information and Referral” (I&R). I&R specialists are trained to
answer a wide range of questions and connect you to services, so ask for
that first.
The Older Driver - Caregiver Considerations
If you are a caregiver of an older driver, riding with or following this person every
once in a while is one way to keep track of his or her driving abilities. The
following is a guide to assist you with addressing the concerns about your loved
one’s driving.
Talk to your loved one. Say that you are concerned about his or her
driving safety, but do not bring up your concerns in the car. Give specific
reasons for your concerns such as recent fender benders, getting lost, or
running stop signs. Realize your loved one may become upset or
defensive. Be a good listener, and take your loved one’s concerns
seriously.
Encourage a visit to the doctor. The doctor can check your loved one’s
medical history, list of medicines, and current health to see if any of these
may be affecting his or her driving ability. A treatment plan may be
recommended, which may improve this ability.
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Encourage your loved one to take a driving test. A driver rehabilitation
specialist (DRS) can assess your loved one’s driving safety through an
office exam and driving test. The DRS can also teach special techniques
or suggest special equipment to help him or her drive more safely.
Help make plans for transportation. When your loved one is ready to
talk about his or her driving safety, you can work together to create plans
for safety. Your loved one may rely less on driving if he or she has other
ways to get around.
Be there for your loved one. Let your loved one know that he or she has
your support. This is a difficult time, and it is important to show that you
care.
To find a DRS in your area, ask your doctor for a referral or contact the
Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, telephone:
1-866-672-9466, website: www.aded.net.
For concerns about driving, the MIT Age Lab and the Hartford
Insurance Company have prepared a guide called “Having the
Conversation” to help families discuss changing driving skills, risks, and
alternatives at
www.thehartford.com/talkwitholderdrivers/driversatrisk.htm. The site
includes useful worksheets and links to other resources.
Assessing Your Needs
Many caregivers do not think about their own needs, but in order to manage
caregiving over time – days, months, or years – you should think about your own
needs, not just those of the person you are caring for. Ask yourself:
Can I manage these services by myself?
How can I get support or take a break?
How do I take care of myself?
For a self-assessment of your needs, visit
www.nextstepincare.org/Caregiver_Home/What_Do_I_Need.
Your local AAA/ADRC can help access your family needs or work with
partnering organizations to do this. For information contact your family
member’s local AAA/ADRC at 1-877-222-3737.
Why Caregivers Need Care
Caregivers often lose themselves in providing care. If you provide care for a
loved one who is aged or disabled, you may not realize that everything you do is
part of caregiving. You may say, “This is just what families do for each other,” or
“This is what friends are for.” However true these statements are, you may find
yourself masking the value of the care provided and the significant toll this work
can take on your physical, emotional and overall well-being.
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Learning Caregiving Skills
Once you learn your role as a caregiver, you will be better equipped to face the
current and future needs of caring for your loved one. Caregivers need more
than information. You may need to learn new healthcare-related skills. As
hospitals and rehab facilities shorten the length of patient stays, families are
asked to provide more direct care for loved ones. Families may be expected to
keep wounds clean, give medications, or monitor heart and blood sugar levels.
Too often they are not given the training they need to provide this care
effectively. You may find the following resources helpful:
The National Caregivers Library at www.caregiverslibrary.org
provides a comprehensive website of information and tools for caregivers
including useful articles, forms and checklists.
Health in Aging at www.healthinaging.org, is a website maintained by
the American Geriatrics Society. It has information on medical topics,
explains how to communicate effectively with doctors and other
professionals as part of a caregiving support team, and how to care for
you while caring for another.
The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org has courses in first aid
that give hands-on training on how to recognize and respond to
emergencies, how to perform CPR, and how to use automated external
defibrillators (AED) to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Visit the
website and enter your zip code to find classes near you.
Many organizations related to specific diseases (cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s,
etc.) provide education and training on various aspects of caring for loved ones
with those conditions. Contact the national or state chapters of these
organizations for more information on educational services.
Collecting and Organizing Information
Caregivers need to know how to collect and organize many details about their
loved one’s health care, home care, medications, safety equipment, and so on.
These records are vital but difficult to keep track of.
The Caregiver’s Organizer, produced by the Central Massachusetts
Family Caregiver Support Program, can be found on-line at
www.seniorconnection.org/caregiversupport.htm. It is offered in ten
different languages. Click on “Services and Resources Provided,” then
“The Caregiver Organizer.”
See also Appendix X and Y for documents to help you get organized,
including a medication list and an important papers checklist.
Family Leave
Caregiving is not without its sacrifices. You may find a constant conflict between
job responsibilities and the demands of caring for family at home. Many baby
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boomers are now part of the sandwich generation – caught between caring for
young children and aging parents – and find the demands of both overwhelming.
Others are caring for an adult with a disability whose needs change over time.
One answer may be family leave.
Family leave is paid or unpaid time way from work to care for someone in your
family. Federal and state laws have defined this benefit.
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA)
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Standards Administration, Wage
and Hour Division, administers and enforces the Family and Medical Leave Act
(FMLA) for all private, state and local government employees, and some federal
employees. FMLA entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid,
job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical
reasons.
Leave Entitlement
A covered employer must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 weeks of
unpaid leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the following
reasons:
for the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee;
for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or
foster care;
to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child or parent) with a
serious health condition; or
to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a
serious health concern.
Spouses employed by the same employer are jointly entitled to a combined total
of 12 workweeks of FMLA. Employees may take FMLA in blocks of time or
intermittently, i.e., by reducing their normal weekly or daily work schedule.
A covered employer is required to maintain group health insurance coverage for
an employee on FMLA leave whenever such insurance was provided before the
leave was taken and on the same terms as if the employee had continued to
work.
Upon return from FMLA leave, an employee must be restored to the employee’s
original job, or to an equivalent job with equivalent pay, benefits, and other terms
and conditions of employment.
Employee Eligibility
To be eligible for FMLA benefits, an employee must:
work for a covered employer;
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have worked for the employer for a total of 12 months;
have worked at least 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months; and
work at a location in the US or in any territory or possession of the US
where at least 50 employees are employed by the employer within 75
miles.
For additional information contact:
New Jersey Department of Labor at 609-777-3200 or visit their
website at http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us; or the
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division at
www.wagehour.dol.gov and/or call the toll-free information and
helpline, available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in your time zone,
1-866-487-9243, TTY 1-877-889-5627.
New Jersey Paid Family Leave Act (NJFLA)
In 2008, New Jersey enacted a paid family leave act (NJFLA). It differed from
the federal FMLA in that:
the New Jersey FLA does not allow an employee to use leave time for his
or her own medical condition;
the duration of the leave is within a 24-month period;
the New Jersey FLA applies to companies with 50 or more employees
nationwide;
the New Jersey FLA applies to civil union partners; and
employees are paid 2/3 of their average weekly wages, up to $524/week
maximum for 6 weeks during any 12-month period or 42 days for
intermittent leave.
NJFLA Leave Entitlement
Each eligible employee may take up to 12 weeks of continuous leave during a
given 24-month period, which begins on the first day of leave. The NJFLA
permits leave to be taken for:
the care of a newly born or adopted child, as long as leave begins within
one year of the date the child is born to or placed with the employee; or
the care of a parent, child under 18, spouse or partner in a civil union who
has a serious health condition requiring in-patient care, continuing medical
treatment or medical supervision. The FLA considers parents to be: in-
laws, stepparents, adoptive parents, or others having a parent-child
relationship with an employee.
In certain situations, an employee may take leave that is not continuous, for
example, a reduced work schedule. Sometimes an employer’s approval is
necessary for this type of arrangement.
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Employees are generally entitled to the same position held before the leave.
Exception: If the original position is no longer available when the
employee returns, the employer must offer an equivalent position in terms
of pay, benefits and status.
Layoff: If a layoff occurred while the employee was on leave, the
employee retains the same rights as if no leave had been taken.
Employee Eligibility
To be eligible for the New Jersey FLA, an employee must:
work for an employer who has at least 50 employees working for at least
20 weeks during the current or previous year; and
work for an employer for a minimum of one year and worked at least 1000
hours, including paid overtime hours, during the 12 months immediately
prior to taking the leave.
An employee may be excluded if his or her salary is within the highest 5% of all
employees and their absence would have a substantial negative effect on the
business. The same is true for the seven most highly paid employees. The
employer must provide proper notice to the employee that they fall into this
category.
For more information, consult your employer or contact the NJ
Division on Civil Rights office closest to where you live or visit their
website at www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/index.html.
Caregiver Support
Caregiving may be a very isolating experience, especially for those who have
limited help or are the sole caregiver for an individual who cannot be left alone for
long periods of time. But you are not alone. There are support systems to help
you meet the challenges of providing short or long-term care.
Care2Caregivers
Care2Caregivers is a peer-to-peer information, referral and counseling service
funded by the New Jersey Department of Human Services through the COPSA
Institute of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders at Rutgers University
Behavioral Health Care. Care2Caregivers is staffed by peer counselors who
have cared for family members with dementia and also worked as dementia
professionals in the health care industry. Through its toll-free number and
website live chat feature, Care2Caregivers provided free, ongoing peer support
for dementia caregivers. For assistance, call 1-800-424-2494 or visit
www.Care2Caregivers.org
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Caregiver Stress Assessment
Due to the challenges of caregiving, caregivers sometimes ignore their own
physical and emotional health. Caregivers often don’t recognize the symptoms of
stress that they are experiencing.
For a simple self-test, see the American Medical Association’s Self-
Assessment Questionnaire at www.caregiving.org/wp-
content/uploads/2010/11/caregiverselfassessment_english.pdf
If you take the test and find you do have a number of symptoms associated with
high levels of physical and emotional stress, contact your primary care doctor for
an appointment, take the questionnaire with you, and discuss next steps, such as
finding a therapist or support group, or taking medication.
Securing support from other family members, friends, and community groups is
essential. It may be hard to ask for and/or accept help. But you cannot do it
alone. Think in terms of concrete actions that can help. Could a friend pick up
groceries for you or your loved one? Could a neighbor do yard work for you or
give your loved one a lift to a medical appointment? Could a friend or relative
keep your loved one company while you take a break to go to a movie, the gym,
take a walk or a drive, or do some shopping for yourself? Perhaps you could set
up a regular visit from a friend so that you don’t feel isolated or overloaded. The
people who care about you want to help, and you may be able to return the help
at a later time.
Some caregivers find support groups helpful. They allow caregivers to share
their experiences, exchange information, and point each other toward
organizations that have been particularly helpful. Some support groups may be
linked to stress management or exercise classes. Many support groups are run
by professionals, such as social workers, and can help caregivers devise
productive strategies for dealing with intra-family conflicts or tensions that may
arise around difficult caregiving decisions.
To find or start a support group, contact the New Jersey Self-Help Group
Clearinghouse toll-free at 1-800-367-6274 or on-line at
www.njgroups.org. The clearinghouse maintains a database of
information on over 4,500 groups within the state and over 1,100 national
organizations, including on-line groups.
The Family Caregiver Support Program, through your local AAA/ADRC,
primarily serves family caregivers of adults 60 years of age and older, and people
of any age with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. There are no income
eligibility requirements for information or services. The overall goal of the
program is to enhance the caregiver’s ability to keep their loved ones at home
and in their communities, in a safe and supportive environment. Each program
works to provide support in five key areas:
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Information about valuable services, community resources, and local
programs.
Assessment of needs and access to services through one-on-one
assistance to identify options and gain access to community-based
services.
Training, support, and counseling, such as caregiver support groups and
training classes to assist caregivers in making decisions, solving
problems, and managing stress.
Respite programs to provide temporary relief through in-home care, or
adult day care or emergency respite.
Supplemental services, on a limited basis, for home modifications and
repair, transportation, and other things it may be for the caregiver to do.
The Family Caregiver Support Program gives priority to caregivers with the
greatest social and economic need, but it is also open to middle-income families.
Find support groups in your area through the Family Caregiver Support
Program in your county. Contact your local AAA/ADRC or call
1-877-222-3737.
Respite Services
Every caregiver needs time off. Respite, or time off from caregiving duties
through substitute care, can be provided on a regular basis or can be scheduled
in advance when needed for vacations or special occasions. Respite care can
be funded privately, or through Medicaid’s Managed Long-Term Services and
Supports (MLTSS) and/or the NJ Statewide Respite Care Program.
The NJ Statewide Respite Care Program provides services for the elderly
and functionally impaired persons age 18 or older to relieve their unpaid
caregivers of physical and emotional stress arising from the responsibility of
providing daily care.
Services Offered
Services available under the NJ Statewide Respite Care Program include:
Companion
Homemaker/home health aides (on an hourly or overnight basis)
Medical or social adult day care
Temporary care in licensed medical facilities
Private duty nursing service
Caregiver-Directed option
Adult Family Care
Campership
And more
Priority is given to those families where the impaired member is at risk of long-
term care institutionalization due to inability of a caregiver to continue in that role.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
153
Eligibility Requirements
The following criteria must be met for participation in the NJ Statewide Respite
Care Program:
Resident of NJ with a chronic physical or mental disability requiring
supervision or assistance with basic daily needs from a caregiver;
Age 18 or older; and
Income and resource eligible (call for current year limits).
Cost of Services
Respite care services can be provided for those with private pay funding or
through the NJ Medicaid waivers and the NJ Statewide Respite Care Program.
The individual requiring the care is the only one whose income is considered
when establishing eligibility for participation in the program. A cost-share may be
required based on the individual’s income.
For additional information:
Contact your local AAA/ADRC or call 1-877-222-3737. Information is also
available on-line at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/srcp.
National Respite Coalition and National Respite Locator Service at
www.archrespite.org, 703-256-2084, helps parents, caregivers and
professionals get a break using respite services in their local area.
More Caregiver Resources
In addition, the following organizations provide information to help you manage
your role as a caregiver:
National Organizations
AARP at www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/ has extensive
resources for caregivers
Caring from a Distance at www.cfad.org is a nonprofit organization
geared specifically to the particular challenges faced by caregivers who
live far away from their loved one. It offers information, support and
helpful links.
Family Caregiver Alliance, accessible toll-free at 1-800-445-8106, is a
national network that addresses the need of families and friends providing
long-term care at home. Their website, at
www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp, includes information, free
publications, and an on-line caregiver support discussion group.
Well Spouse at www.wellspouse.org and 1-800-838-0879 is a national
organization that gives support to wives, husbands, and partners of the
chronically ill and/or disabled.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
154
Next Step in Care is a website aimed at helping family caregivers and
health care professionals to work together. Their website has links to
guides and checklists at www.nextstepincare.org/Caregiver_Home.
Faith-based Organizations
Faith-based organizations have a long tradition of providing assistance to those
in need, whether they are members of that faith community or not. Faith-based
organizations coordinate volunteers to help with individuals who are chronically ill
or disabled. Some organizations may sponsor meal programs as well as provide
other direct services. The following organizations are just a few examples of the
kinds of services provided by faith-based organizations. Check with your
religious affiliation for additional resources.
The NJ Department of State operates an Office of Faith-Based
Initiatives. Its website is at
www.state.nj.us/state/programs/dos_program_faith_based.html.
Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies (AJFCA) at
www.ajfca.org/programs/section/older-adult-services, 1-800-634-7346
toll-free, links concerned family members with Jewish Family Services
Agencies in that community through its Elder Support Network.
Catholic Charities at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org, 703-549-1390,
provides social service programs that may include home visiting
programs, adult day health, visiting nurse services, a foster grandparents
program, caregiver support programs, and basic needs services (food,
fuel, utility, and rental assistance).
Lutheran Services in America at www.lutheranservices.org has more
than 300 health and human service organizations that provide care,
ranging from health care to disaster response.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
155
11. APPENDIX ITEMS
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
156
11. Appendix Items
Appendix A - Adult Protective Service Providers
Program
Administration
NJ Division of Aging Services
PO Box 807
Trenton, NJ 08625-0812
Phone: 1-800-792-8820 or
609-588-6501
Website:
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/
doas/services/aps/
Atlantic
Atlantic County Division of
Intergenerational Services
Shoreview Building, Room 210
101 South Shore Road
Northfield, NJ 08225
Phone:
609-645-5965
After Hrs.:
1-888-426-9243 or 911
Bergen
Bergen County Board of Social Services
216 Route 17 North
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
Phone:
201-368-4300
After Hrs.:
1-800-624-0275
Burlington
Burlington County Board of Social Services
Human Services Facility
795 Woodlane Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Phone:
609-518-4793 Ext. 4797
After Hrs.:
856-234-8888 or 911
Camden
Camden County Board of Social Services
600 Market Street, Lower Level
Camden, NJ 08102
Phone:
856-225-8178
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
Cape May
Cape May County Board of Social Services
4005 Route 9 South
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
Phone:
609-886-6200 (Ask for Intake
Social Worker)
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
Cumberland
Resources for Independent Living
614 E. Landis Avenue, 1
st
Floor
Vineland, NJ 08360
Phone:
856-825-0255
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
Essex
FOCUS, Hispanic Center for Human Dev.,
Inc.
441-443 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone:
1-866-903-6287
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
Gloucester
Gloucester County Board of Social
Services
400 Hollydell Drive
Sewell, NJ 08080
Phone:
856-582-9200 or 856-256-2280
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
157
Adult Protective Service Providers (continued)
Hudson
Hudson County Protective Services, Inc.
6020 Hudson Avenue,
West New York, NJ 07093
Phone:
201-537-5631
After Hrs:
Contact local police or 911
Hunterdon
Hunterdon County Division of Senior,
Disabilities, and Veterans Services
4 Gauntt Place
Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone:
908-788-1361
After Hrs:
908-782-HELP(4357)
Mercer
Mercer County Board of Social Services
200 Woolverton Street
Trenton, NJ 08650
Phone:
609-989-4320 Ext. 1641 or
1642; 609-989-4346 or 609-
989-4347
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
Middlesex
Middlesex Family and Children Services
191 Bath Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Phone:
732-745-3635
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
Monmouth
Family and Children Services of Monmouth
County
191 Bath Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Phone:
732-531-9191
After Hrs:
Contact local police or 911
Morris
Morris County Aging, Disabilities and
Veterans
P.O. Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07963-0900
Phone:
973-326-7282
After Hrs:
973-285-2900 or 911
Ocean
Ocean County Board of Social Services
1027 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08754
Phone:
732-349-1500
After Hrs:
732-240-6100
Passaic
Passaic County Board of Social Services
80 Hamilton Street
Paterson, NJ 07505-2057
Phone:
973-881-2616
After Hrs:
973-345-2676
Salem
Salem County Office on Aging
98 Market Street
Salem, NJ 08079
Phone:
856-339-8622
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
Somerset
Somerset County Board of Social Services
73 East High Street, P.O. Box 936
Somerville, NJ 08876
Phone:
908-526-8800
After Hrs:
1-800-287-3607
Sussex
Sussex County Division of Social Services
P.O. Box 218
83 Spring Street
Newton, NJ 07860
Phone:
973-383-3600
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
158
Adult Protective Service Providers (continued)
Union
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of
Newark
505 South Avenue, East
Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone:
908-497-3902
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
Warren
Warren County Division of Aging &
Disability Services
165 County Road
Route 519 South
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone:
908-475-6591
After Hrs.:
Contact local police or 911
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
159
Appendix B - Area Agencies on Aging
Atlantic County Division
of Intergenerational Services
Shoreview Building, Office #222
101 South Shore Road
Northfield, NJ 08225
(609) 645-7700, ext. 4700
Fax: (609) 645-5940
Bergen County Division of Senior Services
One Bergen County Plaza, 2
nd
Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601-7000
(201) 336-7400
Fax: (201) 336-7424
Burlington County Office on Aging
49 Rancocas Road
PO Box 6000
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
(609) 265-5069
Fax: (609) 265-3725
Camden County Division of
Senior & Disabled Services
Parkview on the Terrace
512 Lakeland Ave., 4
th
fl.
Blackwood, NJ 08012
(856) 858-3220
Fax: (856) 401-6405
Cape May County Department of Aging
Social Services Building
4005 Route 9 South
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
(609) 886-2784 & 2785
Fax: (609) 889-0344
Cumberland County Office on Aging and
Disabled
Administration Building
790 East Commerce Street
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
(856) 453-2220 & 2221
Fax: (856) 455-1029
Essex County Division of Senior Services
900 Bloomfield Avenue
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 395-8375
Fax: (973) 395-8309
Gloucester County Division of Senior
Services
115 Budd Boulevard
West Deptford NJ, 08096
(856) 384-6900
Fax: (856) 686-8343
Hudson County Office on Aging
595 County Avenue, Building #2
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 369-4313
Fax: (201) 369-4315
Hunterdon County Division of Senior
Services, Disabilities and Veterans' Services
PO Box 2900
Flemington, NJ 08822-2900
(908) 788-1361, 1362 & 1363
Fax: (908) 806-4537
Mercer County Office on Aging
PO Box 8068
640 South Broad Street
Trenton, NJ 08650
(609) 989-6661 & 6662
Fax: (609) 393-2143
Middlesex County Department of Aging
John F. Kennedy Square, 5
th
Floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 745-3295
Fax: (732) 246-5641
Monmouth County Division on Aging,
Disabilities & Veterans Interment
3000 Kozloski Rd.
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 431-7450
Fax: (732) 303-7649
Morris County Division on Aging,
Disabilities and Veterans
540 West Hanover Avenue, Ground Floor
PO Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07963-0900
(973) 285-6848
Fax: (973) 285-6883
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
160
Ocean County Office of Senior Services
PO Box 2191
1027 Hooper Avenue,
Building #2, 1st Floor
Toms River, NJ 08754-2191
(732) 929-2091
Fax: (732) 506-5019
Passaic County Department of Senior
Services, Disabilities and Veterans’ Affairs
930 Riverview Drive, Suite #200
Totowa, NJ 07512
(973) 569-4060
Fax: (973) 256-5190
Salem County Office on Aging
98 Market Street
Salem, NJ 08079
(856) 339-8622
Fax: (856) 339-9268
Somerset County Office on Aging
Somerset County Office on Aging
27 Warren Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 704-6346
Toll-Free: 1 (888) 747-1122
Fax: (908) 595-0194
Sussex County Division of Senior Services
Sussex County Administration Building
1 Spring Street, 2
nd
Floor
Newton, NJ 07860
(973) 579-0555
Fax: (973) 579-0550
Union County Division on Aging
Administration Building
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
(908) 527-4870
Fax: (908) 659-7410
Warren County Division of Senior Services
Wayne Dumont Jr. Administration Building
165 County Road, Suite #245
Route 519 South
Belvidere, NJ 07823-1949
(908) 475-6591
Fax: (908) 475-6588
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
161
Appendix C - Centers for Independent Living
NEW JERSEY STATEWIDE
INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL
The New Jersey Statewide Independent
Living Council (SILC) is a 17-member body
appointed by the Governor which maximizes
opportunities for people with disabilities
through planning and advocacy.
Website: www.njsilc.org
ALLIANCE CENTER FOR
INDEPENDENCE
(Middlesex, Somerset, Union Counties)
629 Amboy Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837
Telephone: (732) 738-4388
TDD: (732) 738-9644
Website: www.adacil.org
CAMDEN CITY INDEPENDENT LIVING
CENTER
(City of Camden)
Virtua Camden
1000 Atlantic Avenue
Camden, NJ 08104
Telephone: (856) 966-0800
TDD: (856) 966-0830
Website: www.camdencityilc.org
CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING OF
SOUTH JERSEY, INC. (CIL-SJ)
(Camden and Gloucester Counties)
1150 Delsea Drive, Suite 1
Westville, NJ 08093
Telephone: (856) 853-6490
TDD: (856) 853-1466
DAWN, INC.
(Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties)
66 Ford Road, Suite 121
Denville, NJ 07834
Telephone: (973) 625-1940
(888) 383-DAWN
VRS: (973) 453-4689
Website: www.dawncil.org
DIAL, INC.
(Essex and Passaic Counties)
2 Prospect Village Plaza, First Floor
Clifton, NJ 07013
Telephone: (973) 470-8090
TDD: (973) 470-2521
Website: www.dial-cil.org
HEIGHTENED INDEPENDENCE &
PROGRESS (HIP)
(Bergen County)
131 Main Street, Suite 120
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Telephone: (201) 996-9100
TDD: (201) 996-9424
Website: www.hipcil.org
HEIGHTENED INDEPENDENCE &
PROGRESS-HUDSON
(Hudson County)
35 Journal Square, Suite 703
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Telephone: (201) 533-4407
TDD: (201) 533-4409
Website: www.hipcil.org
MOCEANS CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT
LIVING
(Monmouth and Ocean County)
Monmouth County Branch:
279 Broadway, Suite 201
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Telephone: (732) 571-4884
TDD: (732) 571-4878
Ocean County Branch:
1027 Hooper Avenue, Building 6, 3rd Floor
Toms River, NJ 08753
Telephone: (732) 505-2310
Website: www.moceanscil.org
PROGRESSIVE CENTER FOR
INDEPENDENT LIVING (PCIL)
(Hunterdon and Mercer Counties)
Mercer County Branch:
3525 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 904
Hamilton NJ 08619
Telephone: (609) 581-4500 (877) 917-4500
TDD: (609) 581-4555
Hunterdon County Branch:
4 Walter E. Foran Blvd., Suite 410
Flemington, NJ 08822
Telephone: (908) 782-1055 (877) 376-9174
TDD: (908) 782-1081
Website: www.pcil.org
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
162
RESOURCES FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
(RIL)
(Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem
Counties)
351 High Street, Suite 103
Burlington, NJ 08016
Telephone: (609) 747-7745
TDD: (609) 747-1875
Website: www.rilnj.org
TOTAL LIVING CENTER, INC. (TLC)
(Atlantic County)
6712 Washington Avenue, Suite 106
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Telephone: (609) 645-9547
TDD: (609) 645-9593
Website: www.tlcenter.org
Satellite Office
1333 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Telephone: (609) 345-6700 x2804
TDD: (609) 345-5551
FAX: (609) 343-2374
New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
Official Website: www.njsilc.org
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
163
Appendix D - Centers for Primary Care
Atlantic County
AtlantiCare Health Services
1401 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 2600
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Tel: 609-572-6055
2009 Bacharach Blvd.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Tel: 609-344-5714
Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers
1125 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08041
Tel: 609-348-0066
1301 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Tel: 609-572-0000
860 S. White Horse Pike, Bldg. A
Hammonton, NJ 08037
Tel: 609-567-0200
932 South Main Street
Pleasantville, NJ 08232
Tel: 609-383-0880
Bergen County
North Hudson Community Action
197 South Van Brunt Street
Englewood, NJ 07631
Tel: 201-537-4442
535 Midland Avenue
Garfield, NJ 07026
Tel: 973-340-1182
25 E. Salem St
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Tel: 201-996-2121
Burlington County
Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers
661 High Street
Burlington City, NJ 08016
Tel: 609-386-0775
600 Pemberton/Browns Mills Road
Pemberton, NJ 08068
Tel: (609) 894-1100
Camden County
CAMcare Health Corporation
6th and Erie Streets
Camden, NJ 08102-1820
Tel: 856-757-9180
8th and Carl Miller Blvd.
Camden, NJ 08103-1025
Tel: 856-541-4926
817 Federal Street, Suite 300
Camden, NJ 08103-1539
Tel: 856-541-3270
2610 Federal Street
Camden, NJ 08105
Tel: 856-635-0203 (Adult); 856-635-0212
(OB/GYN); 856-635-0307 (Dental); 856-635-
0311 (Pediatrics)
813 Ferry Ave
Camden, NJ 08105
Tel: 856-602-4012
121 Whitehorse Pike
Clementon, NJ 08021
Tel: 856-627-7701
Project H.O.P.E. - Bergen Lanning Health
Center
439 Clinton Street
Camden, NJ 08103
Tel: 856-968-2320
Cape May County
CompleteCare Health Network
3 Broadway
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Tel: 609-465-0258 or 856-451-4700
1700 Route 47
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
Tel: 856-451-4700
3700 New Jersey Avenue
Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
Tel: 856-451-4700
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
164
Centers for Primary Care
(continued)
Cumberland County
CompleteCare Health Network
70 Cohansey Street
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Tel: 856-451-4700
265 Irving Avenue
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Tel: 856-451-4700
105 Manheim Avenue
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Cumberland County
Tel: 856-451-4700
1000 North Pearl St.
Bridgeton, NJ 0830
Tel: 856-451-4700
1200 N. High Street
Millville, NJ 08332
Tel: 865-451-4700
1038 East Chestnut Avenue
Vineland, NJ 08360
Tel: 856-451-4700
319 Landis Avenue
Vineland, NJ 08360
Tel: 856-451-4700
484 South Brewster Rd
Vineland, NJ 08360
Tel: 856-451-4700 (OB/GYN)
1255 West Landis Drive
Vineland, NJ 08360
Tel: 856-451-4700
Essex County
Jewish Renaissance Medical Center
333 Clinton Place
Newark, NJ 07112
Tel: 973-705-3880
80 Johnson Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108
Tel: 973-623-8592 (Teen Health)
Newark Community Health Centers
444 William Street
East Orange, NJ 07017
Tel: 973-675-1900
1148-1150 Springfield Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Tel: 973-399-6292
741 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07104
Tel: 973-483-1300
751 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07104
Tel: 973-483-1300
155 Jefferson Street
Newark, NJ 07105
Tel: 973-465-2828
101 Ludlow Street
Newark, NJ 07114
Tel: 973-565-0355
37 North Day Street
Orange, NJ 07050
Tel: 973-395-2611
Newark Department of Health and
Community Wellness
140 Bergen Street
Newark, NJ 07103
Tel: 973-733-5310
394 University Ave
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel: 973-733-7592
110 William Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel: 973-733-5300
Zufall Health Center
95 Northfield Ave
West Orange, NJ 07052
Tel: 973-325-2266
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
165
Centers for Primary Care
(continued)
Gloucester County
CAMcare Health Corporation
1315 North Delaware Street
Paulsboro, NJ 08066
Tel: 856-687-2200
CompleteCare Health Network
335 N. Delsea Drive
Glassboro, NJ 08028
Tel: 856-863-5720
75 West Red Bank Ave.
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Tel: 856-853-2055
Hudson County
Horizon Health Center
714 Bergen Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Tel: 201-451-6300
115 Christopher Columbus Drive
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Tel: 201-710-2200
Metropolitan Family Health Network
857 Bergen Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07305
Tel: 201-478-5859 (Homeless)
935 Garfield Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Tel: 201-478-5800
5300 Bergenline Avenue
West New York, NJ 07093
Tel: 201-478-5852
North Hudson Community Action
Corporation Health Center
124 Grand Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Tel: 201-795-9521
324 Palisade Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07307
Tel: 201-459-8888
1116 43rd Street
North Bergen, NJ 07047
Tel: 201-330-2632
714 31st Street
Union City, NJ 07087
Tel: 201-863-7077
5301 Broadway
West New York, NJ 07093
Tel: 201-866-9320
Hunterdon County
Zufall Health Van
Tel: 908-968-4440 (Medical/Dental)
Mercer County
Henry J. Austin Health Center
317 Chambers Street
Trenton, NJ 08609
Tel: 609-278-5900
112 Ewing Street
Trenton, NJ 08609
Tel: 609-278-5900
321 North Warren Street
Trenton, NJ 08618
Tel: 609-278-5900
Middlesex County
Eric B. Chandler Health Center
123 Church Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Tel: 732-235-2052
277 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Tel: 732-235-6700
Jewish Renaissance Medical Center
275 Hobart Street
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
Tel: 732-376-9333
Monmouth County
Monmouth Family Health Center
80 Pavilion Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Tel: 732-963-0114
270 Broadway
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Tel: 732-923-7100
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
166
Centers for Primary Care
(continued)
335 Broadway
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Tel: 732-923-6585
Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey
1301 Main Street
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Tel: 732-774-6333
100 Main Street
Keansburg, NJ 07734
Tel: 732-787-1250
35 Broad Street
Keyport, NJ 07735
Tel: 732-888-4149
176 Riverside Avenue
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Tel: 732-219-6620
Morris County
Zufall Health Center
17 S. Warren Street
Dover, NJ 07801
Tel: 973-328-3344
18 West Blackwell Street
Dover, NJ
Tel: 973-328-3344
2-4 Atno Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960
Tel: 973-267-0002
Ocean County
Lakewood Resource and Referral Center
1771 Madison Ave.
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Tel: 732-364-2144
Ocean Health Initiatives
Lakehurst Circle Center II, 686 Rt. 70
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
Tel: 732-363-6655
101 Second Street
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Tel: 732-363-6655
301 Lakehurst Road
Toms River, NJ 08755
Tel: 732-552-0377
333 Haywood Rd
Stafford, NJ 08050
Tel: 609-489-0110
Passaic County
North Hudson Community Action
Corporation Health Center
148 8th Street
Passaic, NJ 07055
Tel: 973-470-3019
110 Main Avenue
Passaic, NJ 07055
Tel: 973-777-0256
Paterson Community Health Center
227 Broadway
Paterson, NJ 07501
Tel: 973-278-2600
32 Clinton Street
Paterson, NJ 07522
Tel: 973-790-6594
Salem County
Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers
238 East Broadway
Salem, NJ 08079
Tel: 856-935-7711
Somerset County
Zufall Health Center
71 Fourth St.
Somerville, NJ 08876
Tel: 908-526-2335
Sussex County
Neighborhood Health Center Newton
238 Spring Street
Newton, NJ 07860
Tel: 973-383-7001
Union County
Neighborhood Health Services Corp.
184 First Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07206
Tel: 908-355-4459
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
167
Centers for Primary Care
(continued)
1700-58 Myrtle Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07063
Union County
Tel: 908-753-6401
Warren County
Neighborhood Health Center Phillipsburg
427-429 South Main Street
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Tel: 908-454-4600
Zufall Health Center
653 Willow Grove St.
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Tel: 908-452-5366
Zufall Health Center
653 Willow Grove Street
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Telephone: 908-452-5366
Additional county satellite locations may be available and can be found at:
www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/fqhc/index.shtml.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
168
Appendix E - Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Toll Free Number: 1-877-685-8878
Administrative Office:
Phone: 973-648-3333 Fax: 973-648-2043
Address: 153 Halsey Street, 6
th
Floor, Newark, NJ 07102
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 47017, Newark, NJ 07101-47017
Newark Service Center:
Phone: 973-648-2111
Address: 153 Halsey Street, 5th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102.
Counties Served: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren
Freehold Service Center:
Phone: 732-308-4001
Address: 100 Daniels Way, Freehold, NJ 07728
Counties Served: Monmouth, Ocean, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union
Cherry Hill Service Center:
Phone: 856-482-3700
Address: 2201 Route 38 East, Suite 600, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Counties Served: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and Gloucester
Hammonton Service Center:
Phone: 609-704-6000
Address: 40 N White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037-1894
Counties Served: Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem
Joseph Kohn Training Center:
Phone: 732-937-6363
Address: 130 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
George F. Meyer Instructional Resource Center:
Phone: 973-648-2547
Address: 375 McCarter Highway, Newark, NJ 07114
Business Enterprise of New Jersey (BENJ):
Phone: 732-418-3270
Address: 130 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 721, Trenton, NJ 08625
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
169
Appendix F - Congregate Housing Services Providers
Atlantic County Shalom Towers, Inc.
609-822-1108
Bergen County
Garfield Housing Authority
973-340-4170, ext. 5
Conte Court
Belmont Gardens
Golden Tower
Camden County JFH Management Co., Inc.
856-667-6826, ext. 4
Bernard Dublin House
Gesher House
Saltzman House
856-751-3343, ext. 3
Cape May County Wildwood Housing Authority
609-729-0220, ext. 1106
Sandman Towers
Cumberland County
Vineland Housing Authority
856-691-4099 Ext. 108 or Ext. 105
Esther Olivio Towers
Kidston Towers
Tarklin Acres Towers
D’Orazio Terrace Apartments
Essex County Jewish Community Housing Corp.
Jewish Federation Towers
973-374-1702
Jewish Federation Plaza Apartments
973-530-3970
S. Orange B’Nai Brith Federation House
973-761-4602
E. Orange Housing Authority
973-675-0558
Vista Village
Concord Towers
United Methodist Homes
973-676-9057
Bishop Taylor Manor
Pine Ridge of Montclair
Covenant Manor (Union County)
Wesleyan Arms (Monmouth County)
Wesley by the Bay (Cape May County)
Housing Authority, City of Orange
973-677-4579 or 973-677-4559
Washington Manor Senior Citizens
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
170
Congregate Housing Services Providers (continued)
Gloucester County
Gloucester County Housing Authority
856-845-3597, ext. 501
Carino Park Apartments
Colonial Park Apartments
Deptford Park Apartments
Nancy J. Elkins Senior Housing
Shepard’s Farm Senior Housing
Hudson County Hudson Lutheran Housing, Corp.
201-792-6600
Muhlenberg Gardens
Wittenberg Manor
Bayonne Housing Authority
201-437-8173
The Back Bay Gardens
Constable Hook Gardens
Mercer County Architects Housing Company I
609-695-1099, ext. 13
Architect’s Housing
Princeton Community Housing, Inc.
609-921-0929
Elm Court I and II
Trent Center West, Inc.
609-392-5222 Ext.109
Trent Center West
Middlesex County S. Brunswick Community Dev. Corp.
732-355-9009
Charleston Place I and II
Oak Woods Senior Residence
Township of Woodbridge
732-634-6629
Stern Towers
Adams Towers
Finn Towers
Older American Housing in Spotswood, Inc.
732-416-9244 Ext. 200
Crescent Park Senior Housing
Woodmere Senior Housing
Monmouth County
Presbyterian Homes & Services, Inc.
732-988-9033 or 732-988-9090 or 989-5416
Asbury Tower
Gables at W. Windsor (Mercer Co.)
Wheaton Pointe at E. Windsor (Mercer Co.)
Allaire Crossing
Friendship Gardens
The Oaks
W. Long Branch Senior Citizens Housing
732-229-2901
Peter Cooper Village
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
171
Congregate Housing Services Providers (continued)
Morris County
Housing Authority of the County of Morris
973-540-0389
Morris Mews Sr. Citizens Complex
Passaic County
Boulevard Seniors, L.P.
973-471-7449
Boulevard Seniors, L.P.
Daughters of Miriam Apts.
973-253-5311
Miriam Apt. I and II
UJA Federation of Northern NJ
973-881-8611
Federation Apartments
Clifton Senior Citizen Housing
973-778-0484
Evergreen Manor
Salem County
Penns Grove Housing Authority
856-299-0101
Penn Tower South
Somerset County Wilentz Senior Residence
732-873-3888 Ext. 403
Wilentz Senior Residence
Ridge Oak, Inc.
908-221-0266
Ridge Oak
Sussex County Sparta Ecumenical Council on
Senior Citizen Housing
973-729-4311, ext. 22
Knoll Heights Village
Knoll View Village
Union County Westfield Senior Housing
908-233-8354, press #5
Westfield Senior Citizens
Cranford Housing Board
908-272-9180
Edward K. Gill Apartments
Cranford-Lincoln Apartments
Housing Authority of Summit
908-273-6413
Summit Senior Citizens
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
172
Appendix G - County Welfare Agencies
Agency Phone Fax
Atlantic County Dept. of Family & Community
Development
1333 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City NJ 08401-8297
609-348-3001 609-343-2374
Bergen County Bd. of Social Services
218 Route 17 North
Rochelle Park NJ 07662-3300
201-368-4200 201-368-8710
Burlington County Bd. of Social Services
Human Services Facility
795 Woodlane Road
Mount Holly NJ 08060-3335
609-261-1000 609-261-0463
Camden County Bd. of Social Services
Aletha R. Wright Admin. Building
600 Market Street
Camden NJ 08102-8800
856-225-8800 856-225-7797
Cape May County Bd. of Social Services
Social Services Building
4005 Route 9 South
South Rio Grande NJ 08242-1911
609-886-6200 609-889-9332
Cumberland County Bd. of Social Services
275 North Delsea Drive
Vineland NJ 08360-3607
856-691-4600 856-692-7635
Essex County Dept. of Citizen Services
Division of Welfare
18 Rector Street, 9
th
Floor
Newark NJ 07102
973-733-3000 973-643-3985
Gloucester County Bd. of Social Services
400 Hollydell Drive
Sewell NJ 08080
856-582-9200 856-582-6587
Hudson County Dept. of Family Services
Division of Welfare
257 Cornelison Ave.
Jersey City NJ 07306
201-420-3000 201-420-0343
Hunterdon County Div. Of Social Services
Division of Welfare
6 Gauntt Place, PO Box 2900
Flemington NJ 08822-2900
908-788-1300 908-806-4588
Mercer County Board of Social Services
200 Woolverton Street
Trenton, NJ 08611
609-989-4320 609-989-0405
Middlesex County Board of Social Services
181 How Lane
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
732-745-3500 732-745-4558
Work First NJ
732-745-4555
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
173
County Welfare Agencies (continued)
Monmouth County Div. of Social Services
3000 Kozloski Road, PO Box 3000
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-6000 732-431-6017
Work First NJ
732-431-6267
Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance
Program Services
340 W. Hanover
PO Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07963-0900
973-326-7800 973-329-7875
Ocean County Board of Social Services
1027 Hooper Avenue, PO Box 547
Toms River, NJ 08754-0547
732-349-1500
732-244-8075
Work First NJ
732-473-0669
Passaic County Board of Social Services
80 Hamilton Street
Paterson, NJ 07505-2060
973-881-0100 973-881-3232
Salem County Board of Social Services
147 S. Virginia Avenue
Penns Grove, NJ 08069
856-299-7200 856-299-3245
Somerset County Board of Social Services
73 E. High Street, PO Box 936
Somerville, NJ 08876-0936
908-526-8800 908-231-9010
Sussex County Div. of Social Services
83 Spring Street, PO Box 218
Newton, NJ 07860-0218
973-383-3600 973-579-9894
Union County Div. of Social Services
342 Westminster Avenue
Elizabeth, NJ 07208-3290
908-965-2700 965-2752
Work First NJ
908-965-2758
Warren County Div. of Temporary Assistance
and Social Services
1 Shotwell Drive
Belvidere, NJ 07823
908-475-6301 908-475-1533
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
174
Appendix H - Division of Developmental Disabilities –
Regional Offices
Central Office
PO Box 726
Trenton, NJ 08625-0726
Telephone: 1-800-832-9173
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds
Northern Regional Offices:
1-B Laurel Drive
Flanders, NJ 07836
Telephone: 973-927-2600
Counties Served: Morris, Sussex, and
Warren
100 Hamilton Plaza, 7
th
Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505
Telephone: 973-977-4004
Counties Served: Bergen, Hudson, and
Passaic
Upper Central Regional Offices:
110 East 5
th
Street
Plainfield, NJ 07060
Telephone: 908-226-7800
Counties Served: Union and Somerset
275 Greenbrook Road, 2
nd
Floor
Green Brook, NJ 08812
Telephone: 732-424-3301
Counties Served: Somerset
153 Halsey Street, 2
nd
Floor
P.O. Box 47013
Newark, NJ 07101
Telephone: 973-693-5080
Counties Served: Essex
Lower Central Regional Offices:
120 South Stockton Street
Trenton, NJ 08611
Telephone: 609-292-1922
Counties Served: Hunterdon, Mercer, and
Middlesex
Juniper Plaza, Suite 1-11
3499 Route 9 North
Freehold, NJ 07728
Telephone: 732-863-4500
Counties Served: Ocean and Monmouth
Southern Regional Offices:
2 Echelon Plaza
221 Laurel Road, Suite 210
Voorhees, NJ 08043
Telephone: 856-770-5900
Counties Served: Burlington, Camden,
and Gloucester
5218 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 205
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Telephone: 609-476-5200
Counties Served: Atlantic, Cape May,
Cumberland, and Salem
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
175
Appendix I - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Service
Offices
TRENTON (Central)
John Fitch Plaza – 12th Floor
P.O. Box 398, 08625-0398
609-292-5987(Phone) 609-292-834(FAX)
609-292-2919(TTY) 609-498-6221(VP)
JERSEY CITY (Hudson)
438 Summit Avenue, 6th Floor, 07306-3187
201-217-7180(Phone) 201-217-7287(FAX)
201-942-0085(VP)
BRIDGETON (Cumberland, Salem)
40 E. Broad Street, Suite 204, 08302-2881
856-453-3888(Phone) 856-453-3909(FAX)
856-497-0075(VP)
NEPTUNE (Monmouth)
60 Taylor Avenue, 07753-4844
732-775-1799(Phone) 732-775-1666(FAX)
CAMDEN (Camden)
2600 Mt. Ephraim Ave., Suite 103, 08104-3290
856-614-2500(Phone) 856-614-2538(FAX)
856-831-7599(VP)
NEW BRUNSWICK (Middlesex)
550 Jersey Ave., P.O. Box 2672, 08901
732-937-6300(Phone) 732-937-6358(FAX)
732-393-8056(VP)
DVR.NewBrunswick@dol.state.nj.us
ELIZABETH (Union)
921 Elizabeth Ave., 3rd Floor, 07201
908-965-3940(Phone) 908-965-2976(FAX)
908-965-3995(VP)
NEWARK (Essex)
990 Broad Street, 2nd Floor, 07101
973-648-3494(Phone) 973-648-3902(FAX)
862-772-7166(VP)
HACKENSACK (Bergen)
60 State Street, 2nd Floor, 07601-5471
201-996-8970(Phone) 201-996-8880(FAX)
DVR.Hack[email protected]tate.nj.us
PATERSON (Passaic)
200 Memorial Drive, 1st Floor, 07505
973-742-9226/Option 3 or 973-340-
3400(Phone)
973-279-5895(FAX) 973-968-6556(VP)
HACKETTSTOWN (Sussex, Warren)
223 Stiger Street, Suite A, 07840-1217
908-852-4110(Phone) 908-813-9745(FAX)
PLEASANTVILLE (Atlantic)
2 South Main St., 1st Fl. Suite 2, 08232
609-813-3933 (Phone) 609-813-3959(FAX)
608-813-3958(TTY) 609-241-7064(VP)
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
176
RANDOLPH (Morris)
13 Emery Avenue, 2nd Floor, 07869
862-397-5600(3)(Phone) 973-895-6420(FAX)
862-242-5412(VP)
TRENTON (Mercer)
Labor Station Plaza, P.O. Box 959
28 Yard Avenue, 08625-0959
609-292-2940(Phone) 609-984-3553(FAX)
609-498-7011(TTY & VP)
SOMERVILLE (Somerset, Hunterdon)
75 Veterans Memorial Dr., Suite 101 08876-
2952
908-704-3030(Phone) 908-704-3476(FAX)
866-954-1190(VP)
WESTAMPTON (Burlington)
795 Woodlane Road, Suite 201, 08060
609-518-3948(Phone) 609-518-3956(FAX)
[email protected]te.nj.us
THOROFARE (Gloucester)
Gloucester Regional Service Center
215 Crown Point Rd., Suite 200, 08086-2153
856-384-3730(Phone) 856-384-3777(FAX)
WILDWOOD (Cape May)
3810 New Jersey Avenue, 08260
609-523-0330(Phone) 609-523-0212(FAX)
609-224-1218(VP)
TOMS RIVER (Ocean)
1027 Hooper Ave., Bldg. 6, 3rd Floor
Suite 1, 08753-2225
732-505-2310(Phone) 732-505-2317(FAX)
[email protected]e.nj.us
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
177
Appendix J - Medical Assistance Customer Centers
Northern Regional Offices:
100 Hamilton Plaza, 5
th
Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505-2021
Telephone: 973-977-4077
Counties Served: Passaic, Bergen, Morris, Sussex, Warren
153 Halsey Street, 4
th
Floor
Newark, NJ 07101-2807
Telephone:
973-648-3700
County Served: Essex, Hudson
Central Regional Offices:
100 Daniels Way
1
st
Floor
Freehold, NJ 07728-2668
Telephone: 732-863-4400
Counties Served: Monmouth, Ocean, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Union
Southern Regional Offices:
Augusta Building
852 South White Horse Pike
Hammonton, NJ 08037-2018
Telephone: 609-561-7569
Counties Served: Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland
1 Port Center, Suite 401
2 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08037-1018
Telephone: 856-614-2870
Counties Served: Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Mercer, and Salem
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
178
Appendix K - Mental Health Administrators’ Offices
Atlantic
Atlantic County Mental Health Board
101 South Shore Road
Northfield, NJ 08225
Phone:
609-645-7700 Ext. 4307
Bergen
Division of Mental Health Services
One Bergen County Plaza
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone:
201-634-2745
Burlington
Burlington County Department of
Human Services
795 Woodlane Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Phone:
609-265-5383
Camden
Camden County Mental Health Board
2500 McCellan Ave., Suite 110
Pennsauken, NJ 08109-4212
Phone:
856-663-3998 Ext. 224
Cape May
Cape May County Mental Health Board
#4 Moore Road – DN 907
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone:
609-465-1055
Cumberland
Cumberland County Department of
Human Services
72 N. Pearl Street
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Phone:
856-459-3080
Essex
Essex County Mental Health Board
204 Grove Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
Phone:
973-571-2821/2822
Gloucester
Gloucester County Mental Health Board
115 Budd Boulevard
West Deptford, NJ 08096
Phone:
856-384-6874
Hudson
Hudson County Mental Health Board
Department of Health and Human
Services
595 County Avenue, Building 2
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Phone:
201-369-5280 Ext. 4250
Hunterdon
Hunterdon County Mental Health Board
Department of Human Services
8 Gauntt Place
PO Box 2900
Flemington, NJ 08822-2900
Phone:
908-788-1372
Mercer
Mercer County Division of Mental Health
640 South Broad Street
Trenton, NJ 08650
Phone:
609-989-6574/6529
Middlesex
Middlesex County Division of Addictions
& Mental Health Planning
Department of Human Services
JFK Square – 5
th
Floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone:
732-745-4513
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
179
Mental Health Administrators’ Offices (continued)
Monmouth
Monmouth County Mental Health and
Addiction Services
DHS Building
3000 Kozloski Road, PO Box 3000
Freehold, NJ 07728-1255
Phone:
732-431-6451
Morris
Morris County Mental Health Board
30 Schuyler Place – 3
rd
Floor
Morristown, NJ 07960-0900
Phone:
973-285-6852
Ocean
Ocean County Mental Health Board
1027 Hooper Avenue, Building 2
P.O. Box 2191Toms River, NJ 08754
Phone:
732-506-5374
Passaic
Passaic County Division of Mental Health
and Addiction Services
401 Grand Street – 5
th
Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone:
973-881-2834
Salem
Salem County Mental Health Board
94 Market Street
Salem, NJ 08079
Phone:
856-681-6128 Ext. 2036
Somerset
Somerset County Mental Health Board
Department of Human Services
27 Warren Street – 3
rd
Floor
Somerville, NJ 08876-1262
Phone:
908-704-6320/6300
Sussex
Sussex County Mental Health Board
One Spring Street
Newton, NJ 07860
Phone:
973-940-5200,Ext.1381
Union
Union County Mental Health Board
Administration Building
Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone:
908-527-4844
Warren
Warren County Mental Health Board
Department of Human Services
202 Mansfield Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
Phone:
908-475-6092 / 6080
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
180
Appendix L - Mental Health Counseling
NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)
222 South Warren Street
PO Box 700
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: 1-800-382-6717 (Information and Referral) TDD: 609-777-0714
Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhas/home
Office of Community Services
Northern Regional Office
Serving: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset,
Sussex, Union, and Warren Counties
Phone: 973-977-4397
Phone: 973-977-4398
Southern Regional Offices
Serving: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester,
Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, and Union Counties
Phone: 609-567-7352
The DMHS serves adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses. Contact
the Community Services Office in your area to be directed to the local mental
health counseling services to which you can access.
Mental health counselors strive to educate and support people in their own
personal development. Mental health counselors work with individuals, groups
and communities on a variety of mental health issues, including:
Addiction / substance abuse
Aging
Anger management
Career issues
Depression
Marital and relationship problems
Self-image
Stress
Suicide
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
181
Appendix M – Office of Disability Services
Atlantic County
Atlantic County Division of
Intergenerational, Aging & Disability
Resource Connection
Shoreview Building
101 South Shore Road
Northfield, NJ 08225-2359
Phone: 1-888-426-9243
Bergen County
Bergen County Division on Disability
Services
1 Bergen County Plaza, 2nd Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: 201-336-6500
TTY: 201-336-6505
Burlington County
Burlington County Office for the
Disabled
c/o Resources for Independent Living
351 High Street, Suite 103
Burlington, NJ 08106
Phone: 609-747-7745
Camden County
Camden County Aging and Disability
Resource Connection
512 Lakeland Road
Blackwood, NJ 08012
Phone: 856-858-3220
Cape May County
Cape May County Department of Aging
and Disability Services
4005 Route 9 South
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
Phone: 609-886-2784
Cumberland County
Cumberland County Office on Aging and
Disabled
800 Commerce Street
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Phone/TTY: 856-453-2220
Essex County
Essex County Office for the Disabled
50 South Clinton Street, Suite 4300
East Orange, NJ 07018
Phone: 973-395-8494
Gloucester County
Gloucester County Division of Disability
Services
115 Budd Blvd.
West Deptford, NJ 08096
Phone: 856-384-6841
Hudson County
Hudson County Department of Health
and Human Services, Office of Disability
Services
595 County Avenue, Building 2
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Phone: 201-369-5280, ext. 4241
Hunterdon County
Hunterdon County Division of Senior,
Disability, and Veteran Services
PO Box 2900
4 Gauntt Place
Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-788-1361
Mercer County
Mercer County Office for the Disabled
640 South Broad Street
PO Box 8068
Trenton, NJ 08611
Phone: 609-989-6661
Middlesex County
Middlesex County Office on Aging and
Disability Services
Middlesex County Administration
Building
75 Bayard St., 5th Floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone/TTY: 732-745-3295
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
182
Office of Disability Services
(continued)
Monmouth County
Monmouth County Office on Disabilities
3000 Kozloski Road
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: 732-308-3770, ext. 3599
Morris County
Morris County Division of Aging,
Disability & Veterans Services
540 West Hanover Avenue
Morris Plains, NJ 07950
P.O. Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07900-0900
Phone: 973-285-6855
Ocean County
Ocean County Commission for
Individuals with Disabilities
1027 Hooper Avenue, Building # 2,
3rd Floor
P.O. Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754
Phone/ TTD: 732-506-5062
Passaic County
Passaic County Senior, Disability
Services, and Veterans Affairs
930 Riverview Drive, Suite 200
Totowa, NJ 07512
Phone: 973-569-4060
Salem County
Salem County Office of Disability
Services
98 Market Street
Salem, NJ 08079
Phone: 856-935-7510 Ext. 8623/ 8311
Somerset County
Somerset County Aging and Disability
Resource Connection
27 Warren Street, 1
st
Floor
P.O. Box 3000
Somerville, NJ 08876-1262
Phone: 908-704-6346
Sussex County
Sussex County Department of Human
Services, Division of Senior, and
Disability Services
1 Spring Street
Newton, NJ 07860
Phone: 973-579-0555
Union County
Union County Office for the Disabled
Union County Administration Building,
4th Floor
Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone/TTY: 908-527-4840
Warren County
Warren County Office for the Disabled
c/o DAWN, Inc.
66 Ford Road, Suite 121
Denville, NJ 07834
Phone: 973-625-1940 or 888-383-3296
TTY: 973-625-1932
Please Note: If a TTY number is not listed, please use the NJ Relay
Service by dialing 7-1-1.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
183
Appendix N - One Stop Career Centers
Atlantic
2 South Main Street
Pleasantville, NJ 08232
609-813-3900
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Bergen
60 State Street, 2nd Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601-5427
201-329-9600
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Burlington
795 Woodlane Road, Floor 2
P.O. Box 6100
Westampton, NJ 08060
609-518-3900
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Camden
2600 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, Suite 102
Camden, NJ 08104-3290
856-614-3150
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Cape May
3810 New Jersey Avenue
Wildwood, NJ 08260-0210
609-729-0997
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Cumberland
Cumberland County College
3322 College Drive
Vineland, NJ 08360
856-691-8600
Essex
50 S. Clinton Street, 2
nd
Floor
East Orange, NJ 07018-3120
973-395-5839
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
990 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
973-648-3370
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Gloucester
215 Crown Point Road, Suite 200
Thorofare, NJ 08086
856-384-3700
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Hudson
530 48
th
Street
Union City, NJ 07087
201-369-5205 Ext. 3736
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
438 Summit Ave., 1
st
Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07306
201-795-8800
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Hunterdon
6 Gaunt Place (Lower Level)
Flemington, NJ 08822
908-782-2371
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Mercer
26 Yard Avenue – 1
st
Floor, Station Plaza 4
PO Box 954
Trenton, NJ 08625-0954
609-292-0620
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Middlesex
550 Jersey Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1392
732-937-6200
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
161 New Brunswick Avenue
3rd floor, Suite 300
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861-2282
732-293-5016
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Monmouth
60 Taylor Avenue
Neptune, NJ 07753-4844
732-775-1566
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
145 Wyckoff Road, Suite 201
Eatontown, New Jersey 07724
732-683-8850
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
184
One Stop Career Centers
(continued)
Morris
13 Emery Avenue
Randolph, NJ 07869
862-397-5600
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
30 Schuyler Place
Morristown, NJ 07960-3834
973-631-6321
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Ocean
1027 Hooper Avenue, Building 6
Toms River, NJ 08753-8392
732-286-5616
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
1959 Route 9
Toms River, NJ 08755
732-286-6446
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Passaic
200 Memorial Drive
Paterson, NJ 07505-1606
973-742-9226 Ex. 7319
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
25 Howe Avenue
Passaic, NJ 07055-4007
973-916-2648
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Salem
174 E. Broadway, Floor 2
Salem, NJ 08079
856-935-7007
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Somerset
75 Veterans Memorial Drive East, Suite 102
Somerville, NJ 08876-2950
908-704-3000
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Sussex
7 Hampton House Rd. (Sussex County Mall)
Route 206 North
Newton, NJ 07860-1818
973-383-2775
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am – 4:30pm
Union
921 Elizabeth Avenue
Elizabeth, NJ 07201-2306
908-965-3910
908-558-8000
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
200 West Second Street
Plainfield, NJ 07060
908-412-7980
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
Warren
75 South Main Street
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865-2339
908-859-0400
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am – 4:30pm
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
185
Appendix O – Sheriffs’ Offices
Atlantic County 609-909-7200
Bergen County 201-646-2200 or 201-336-3500
Burlington County 609-265-5127
Camden County 856-225-5475
Cape May County 609-463-6430
Cumberland County 856-451-4449
Essex County 973-621-4111
Gloucester County 856-384-4600
Hudson County 201-915-1300 or 201-795-6300
Hunterdon County 908-788-1166 or 201-788-1202
Mercer County 609-989-6111
Middlesex County 732-745-3271
Monmouth County 732-431-7139 or 732-308-2977
Morris County 973-285-6600 or 973-285-2900
Ocean County 732-929-2044
Passaic County 973-881-7500
Salem County 856-935-7510 ext. 8375
Somerset County 908-231-7140
Sussex County 973-579-0850 or 973-579-0888
Union County 908-527-4450
Warren County 908-475-6309 or 908-835-2000
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
186
Appendix P - Transportation Services – County Listing
For specific transportation information and service guidelines or to schedule a ride, contact the
transportation program in your county:
Atlantic County
Atlantic County Transportation
609-645-5910
Bergen County
Bergen County Special Transportation
201-368-5955
Burlington & Camden County
Sen-Han Transit of Camden County
856-456-3344
Cape May County
Cape May County Fare Free Transportation
609-889-3700
Cumberland County
Cumberland Area Transit System (CATS)
856-691-7799
Essex County
Essex County Office on Aging
973-618-1280
Gloucester County
Gloucester County Special Transportation
Services
856-686-8355
Hudson County
Hudson County Transcend
201-369-4320
Hunterdon County
Hunterdon County - The Link
1-800-842-0531 (Voice & TT)
Mercer County
Mercer County TRADE
609-530-1971 (Voice & TT)
609-275-2929 (Princeton Area Only)
Middlesex County
Middlesex County Area Wide Transportation
Service (AWTS)
1-800-221-3520
New Jersey Council on Special
Transportation
Website: www.njcost.com
Monmouth County
Monmouth County Division of Transportation
(SCAT)
732-431-6480
Morris County
Morris Area Paratransit System
973-829-8103
Ocean County
Transportation Services Department –
Ocean Ride
732-736-8989
1-877-929-2082 (to Schedule a Ride from
Southern Ocean County)
Passaic County
Passaic County Paratransit
973-305-5756 / 5757 / 5758
Salem County
Salem County Specialized Transportation
856-339-8622
Somerset County
Somerset County Transportation
908-231-7115
1-800-246-0547
Sussex County
Sussex County Transit
973-579-0480
Union County
Union County Para-Transit System
908-241-8300
Warren County
Warren County Transportation System
908-454-4044
1-866-594-4044
New Jersey Transit (bus, rail & Access
Link)
Website: www.njtransit.com
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
187
Appendix Q - Veterans Administration NJ Health Care System
East Orange VA Medical Center Campus
385 Tremont Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07018-1095
973-676-1000
Lyons VA Medical Center Campus
151 Knollcroft Road
Lyons, NJ 07939
908-647-0180
Elizabeth Outpatient Clinic
654 East Jersey Street, Suite 2A
Elizabeth, NJ 07206
908-994-0120
Morristown Outpatient Clinic
340 West Hanover Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-539-9791/9794
Hackensack/Bergen County Outpatient Clinic
385 Prospect Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-342-4536
Paterson Outpatient Clinic
St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center
11 Getty Avenue – Bldg. #275
Paterson, NJ 07503
973-247-1666
Hamilton Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
University Office Plaza
3635 Quakerbridge Road
Hamilton, NJ 08619
609-570-6600
Piscataway Outpatient Clinic
14 Wills Way, Bldg. 4
Piscataway, NJ 08854
732-981-8193
James J. Howard Community-Based
Outpatient Clinic
970 Route 70
Brick, NJ 08724
732-206-8900
Tinton Falls Community-Based
Outpatient Clinic – The Atrium
55 North Gilbert St., Bldg. 4
1
st
Floor, Suite 4101
Tinton Falls, NJ 07701
732-842-4751
Jersey City Community-Based Outpatient
Clinic
115 Christopher Columbus Drive
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-435-3055
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
188
Appendix R - Veterans Service Offices (County Listing)
ATLANTIC
Atlantic County Office of
Veterans Affairs
6601 Ventnor Avenue,
Suite 307
Ventnor, NJ 08406
609-487-6932
BERGEN
Division of Veterans
Services
One Bergen County Plaza,
2nd Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-336-6325, 6328, 6329,
6326, 7406
BURLINGTON
Dept. of Veterans Affairs
795 Woodlane Road
Human Services Building
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5008, 5154
CAMDEN
Department of Veterans
Affairs
3 Collier Drive
P.O. Box 1535
Blackwood, NJ 08012
856-374-5801
CAPE MAY
Veterans Bureau
4005 Route 9 South
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
609-886-2762
CUMBERLAND
Cumberland Veterans
Affairs Office
790 East Commerce St.
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
856-453-2239
ESSEX
Veterans Bureau
50 South Clinton Street,
Suite 3200
East Orange, NJ 07018
973-395-8394
GLOUCESTER
Office of Veterans Affairs
211 County House Road
Washington Township
Sewell NJ 08080
856-401-7660
HUDSON
Veterans Services
County of Hudson
257 Cornelison Ave.
Room 2501
Jersey City, NJ 07306
201-369-3430
MERCER
Department of Veterans
Affairs
2280 Hamilton Avenue
Hamilton, NJ 08619
609-989-6120
MIDDLESEX
Dept. of Human Services
Middlesex County Admin.
Building
John F. Kennedy Square,
5th Floor
New Brunswick NJ 08901
732-745-4051
MONMOUTH
Veterans Service Office
3000 Kozloski Road
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-683-8675
MORRIS
County Dept. of Human
Services
Veterans Services
340 W. Hanover Avenue
Morris Township, NJ
07960
973-285-6868
OCEAN
Veterans Service Bureau
1027 Hooper Avenue,
Building 2
PO Box 2191
Toms River, NJ 08754
732-929-2096
PASSAIC
Veterans Service Office
930 Riverview Drive
Suite 200
Totowa, NJ 07512
973-569-4090
SALEM
Veterans Service Office
92 Market Street
Salem, NJ 08079
856-339-8603
SOMERSET
Department of Veterans
Services
92 E. Main Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
908-704-6329
SUSSEX
Interment Officer
P.O. Box 844
Stanhope, NJ 07874
973-347-8333
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
189
UNION
Office of Veterans Affairs
Union County
Administration Building
3rd Floor
10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth NJ 07207
908-659-7407 or
866-640-7115
WARREN
Interment Officer
8 Hughes Lane
Belvidere NJ 07823
908-475-2413
Assistant Supervisor
6 Hemlock Lane
Belvidere NJ 07823
908-475-5098
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
190
Appendix S - Advance Directive Checklist - Things to
Consider
Below is a checklist of questions to ask yourself as you prepare your advance
directive.
Thinking about your Health Care Wishes
Why am I writing an advance directive?
What are my treatment wishes?
o In situations near the end of life?
o In situations of serious injury or illness?
Talking with Others
Physicians and other health care professionals
o Do I understand the medical terminology?
o Do they understand my wishes?
My family, friends and others
o Have I directly and thoroughly discussed my wishes with them?
o Do they understand my wishes?
Selecting a Health Care Representative
Am I confident that my designated representative understands my
personal values and health care wishes?
Does my health care representative understand his/her responsibilities?
Has he/she clearly agreed to serve as my representative and to
communicate my wishes to my doctor and others concerned with my
care?
Have I selected an alternative health-care representative?
My instructions
Have I clearly stated my instructions and included other relevant
information about my treatment wishes regarding:
o The provision, withholding or withdrawal of specific treatments?
o Artificially provided fluids and nutrition?
o The medical conditions in which I want my wishes implemented?
o Special considerations I may have concerning my care and
treatment?
Witnesses
Have I had my directive properly witnessed?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
191
Advance Directive Checklist – Things to Consider (continued)
Distribution of Advance Directive
Have I given a copy of my directive to those who should have one,
such as:
o My health care representative?
o My physician or other health care provider?
o The hospital or nursing home, which I am about to enter?
o Family members, friends, alternate representative and my religious
advisor?
Periodic review
Have I made a note to review my directive on a regular basis in the future?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
192
Appendix T - Assisted Living and Nursing Home Checklist
If you decide to pursue a community-based living arrangement, there are some
steps you can follow to help make the best possible choice. It is a good idea to
visit more than one setting to get an idea of what is available in your community
so you can make a well-informed decision about which facility will adequately
meet your needs. In exploring your choices, it is a good idea to consult the
following sources:
Ask the provider to show you their latest state inspection report and/or their
state license.
Ask for references from former residents or their family members.
Call the NJ Department of Health for information on any complaints about a
hospital or long term care facility (1-800-792-9770). Please note, the NJ
Department of Community Affairs, Bureau of Rooming and Boarding House
Standards is responsible for the inspection and licensure of Boarding Homes.
For more information about this type of setting call 609-633-6251 or 609-984-
1706.
The following checklist will help as you visit facilities, meet professionals, and
assess the appropriateness of each residence.
Cost & Finances
Can you take a copy of the basic rates with you?
What is included in the facility’s basic package?
What does the basic service package cost? What is the cost of additional
services?
Is there a Contract/Resident Agreement available for review?
What are the billing, payment and credit policies of the facility?
What is the policy for rate increases? Under what circumstances might
fees change and how much notice will be given?
Under what circumstances can a Contract/Resident Agreement be
terminated?
What is the refund policy if a resident leaves before the end of the month?
Are there any programs available to help cover the cost of services?
Does the facility accept Medicaid funds as a form of payment? Would the
facility accept Medicaid in the future if a resident becomes eligible and can
no longer pay privately for services?
Are residents asked to move if there is a change in health status?
Can residents handle their own finances, or should family members or
outside party be designated?
Environment & Location
Take time to look and listen to what is going on in the lobby and other
gathering areas. Imagine yourself living there, and think about how you
would fit in.
Do you like the location and appearance of the facility?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
193
Assisted Living and Nursing Home Checklist (continued)
Is it close to friends and relatives?
Are there shops, a library, post office, a park or other public places within
walking distance? Is there an outside area to sit or walk?
Is public transportation close by?
Do residents appear happy and comfortable?
Do the residents look like people you or your loved one would want to live
with?
Do staff members treat residents with respect and dignity?
Physical Setting
Common Areas
Is the residence nicely decorated? Does it offer a home-like “look and
feel”?
Can residents find their way around the facility?
Are doorways, hallways and rooms accommodating to wheelchairs and
walkers?
Are elevators available for those who cannot manage stairs?
Are there handrails to help walking in the corridors and in the bathroom?
Are there non-skid floors and firm carpets to assist walking?
Is the facility clean, free of odors and well heated or cooled?
Does the facility have a sprinkler system and clearly marked exits?
Is the facility free from obvious hazards?
Is there free use of the kitchen? Activity rooms? Toilet facilities? Dining
room? Grounds?
Can residents smoke?
Where and when is the mail delivered and sent out?
Is there a secure environment for wanderers?
Individual Unit Areas
Are different sizes and types of units available? Are units single or double
occupancy?
Are the rooms clean, safe and adequate?
What pieces of furniture are provided? Is there a rental fee for items
provided?
Can you bring some of your own furniture or other personal items?
Is there a way to get furniture donated for your room if you don’t own any?
Are there arrangements made to help you move your belongings in/out?
If this unit is a shared room, how are roommates selected?
Is there storage space available?
Is there access to temperature control within the room?
Do units have their own lockable doors?
Do units have a telephone or cable TV? How is billing handled?
Are there shared bathrooms? If so, how many residents are there per
bath?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
194
Assisted Living and Nursing Home Checklist (continued)
Is there a sit-down shower?
Are there fire sprinklers and smoke alarms installed?
Are kitchenettes available? May residents keep food in their units?
Is there a 24-hour emergency call system available?
Is there a sufficient level of privacy?
Staffing
Can you speak with the staff members who will be providing direct care?
Who will provide personal care? Nursing care?
What language(s) do staff members speak?
Who has the most daily interaction with the residents?
When is a registered nurse (RN) on the premises?
How many nurse aides are available at different times of the day?
What is the staff ratio per resident?
Do aides handle all job functions within the residence (assistance with
bathing and/or dressing, dining, light housekeeping) or are their jobs
defined to more specific activities?
Is there a security system in place?
What is the employee turnover rate?
What training and qualifications are required of all employees?
Is the staff caring, cheerful and attentive to resident needs?
Services
Can the residence provide a list of basic services?
Are doctors, nurses and emergency assistance available if needed?
What is the procedure for responding to a resident’s medical emergency?
How will specialized services, such as physical therapy and occupational
therapy, be arranged?
Are pharmacy services offered on-site? What are the policies regarding
storage of medication, assistance with medication, training and
supervision of staff?
Is self-administration of medications allowed? How is it monitored?
Emergency Procedures
Are emergency/evacuation procedures clearly posted throughout the
facility?
Does staff know what the procedures are? Are there practice drills,
when?
House Policies
What is included in the statement of Resident’s Rights and
Responsibilities?
What are the policies regarding visitors and pets?
Are there accommodations for guests to visit or stay over?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
195
Assisted Living and Nursing Home Checklist (continued)
Are pets allowed in the residence, what types? Who is responsible for
their care?
Can residents be absent from the facility? For what reasons and for how
long?
Activities
What type of activities are offered and when?
How are the residents notified of available activities?
Will staff plan for resident’s activities, such as hair appointments or social
gatherings?
Will you and/or your loved one be able to attend religious services of your
choice?
Transportation
Attempt to view the vehicle and ask if it is handicap accessible, air
conditioned, and maintained regularly.
Is transportation available to activities outside of the residence?
Is there a limit to the distance that transportation is offered and the type of
trip for which transportation is available?
Are trips scheduled on a limited basis or are they available regularly?
Can residents arrange transportation on short notice?
Is transportation arranged by the resident or a staff member?
Is there a charge per trip? If so, in what case and how much?
Meals
Be sure to make at least one visit during a scheduled mealtime and
arrange to sample a meal if possible.
Is the food pleasing, nutritious, adequate and attractively served?
Are there specific meal times, or can you snack throughout the day or
evening?
Must everyone eat at the same time or is the facility flexible?
Is seating assigned? If so, what arrangements are in place for residents to
change and sit with others?
Does the menu allow for choices at each meal?
How do the residents make their selection? At mealtime or the day
before?
Can residents request special meals?
Will the facility meet your dietary or cultural food preferences?
Does someone check on a resident if he or she does not attend a meal?
Is there help available to assist a resident to the dining room?
Are wheelchairs and walkers permitted in the dining area?
Is a resident able to have trays sent to his/her room in case of an illness?
Can residents receive help cutting food or feeding themselves?
Are private dining areas available?
Are guests meals available?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
196
Assisted Living and Nursing Home Checklist (continued)
Can residents have alcoholic beverages?
Other Questions
How is a discharge from the facility determined?
How often and by whom are the care plans completed? How often does
the record keeping or documentation occur?
How involved are families? What are the steps taken to encourage family
members to visit residents and participate in their care?
What if a resident has no immediate family available for support? Who will
be able to assist him/her with tasks such as letter writing?
If a resident is admitted to a hospital, what will happen to their room and
what will it cost?
What are the complaint, suggestion or grievance procedures at the
facility?
Who licenses/funds the facility and how can you contact that agency?
Visit the Facility More Than Once
You should consider visiting one day unannounced and then again at a
scheduled time, when you have made an appointment to speak with a
representative. You may also find that spending some extra time around the
facility and observing the daily routines will give you a better idea of what it would
be like to live there.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
197
Appendix U - Day Care Checklist
Things to Ask/Consider
Prior to determining if a day care program is appropriate for you or your loved
one, an investigation of the facility and staff should be conducted. Below is a
comprehensive adult day health services (ADHS) selection checklist to assist you
with this decision.
Characteristics and Services a day care program should include:
A safe and secure environment
Social activities
Physical assistance with eating, walking, toileting, and medication
administration
Physical, speech and occupational therapies
Meal service with special diet considerations
Physical exercise programs
Cognitive programs
Transportation services
Hours of operation
Social services to assist in planning for care
Locate a Day Care Program
For names and phone numbers of a day care program in your area:
o Contact your county AAA
o Ask your family physician
o Search the web or the telephone book (Adult Day Care; Senior
Citizens’ Services)
Make Telephone Contact
Call the day care program to request a brochure, which describes their
eligibility criteria, daily rates, application process, monthly activity
calendar, and meal menu.
Important Information to Obtain/Consider:
Owner or sponsoring agency
Years of operation
License or certification
Hours/Days of operation
Transportation options
Daily/hourly rates
Additional fees
Waiver/grants accepted by facility for payment
Staff ratio
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
198
Day Care Checklist (continued)
Plan a Visit
After obtaining general information, it is important to visit the perspective
centers to ensure you are comfortable with the facility and that your needs
will be addressed. You should visit two or more centers for a comparison.
The following is a checklist of what you may want to ask/consider:
Did you feel welcomed?
Did someone spend time finding out what you want and need?
Were the services and activities clearly described?
Was information pertaining to staffing, program procedures, costs and
agency expectations fully described?
Was the facility clean, pleasant and free of odor?
Was the building wheelchair accessible?
Was there sturdy, comfortable furniture?
Was there an area for relaxation?
Was there an area to isolate a sick participant?
Did the participants and staff appear cheerful?
Are volunteers assisting with the program?
Do participants assist with planning activities and events?
Check References
Speak with two or three participants, or their caregivers, who are actively
using the agency to gauge their opinion of the programs and services
offered.
Take a Trial Run
Make arrangements for you or your loved one to attend the center for a
day or two, prior to deciding which agency best fits your needs. It can
take several visits before a new participant feels comfortable in a new
setting. Be sure to have all questions and concerns addressed.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
199
Appendix V - Home Care Checklist
It is important to consider the quality and cost of the services offered by different
agencies prior to obtaining their services. Essentially, there are three stages to
this process: Screening, evaluating, and monitoring.
Screening Home Care Agencies
Screen a few agencies with these preliminary questions:
Is the agency Medicare or Medicaid certified?
Does the agency offer the specific care needed (e.g., skilled
nursing care vs. personal care and meals)?
Did a hospital or rehabilitation center discharge planner, social
worker, or doctor recommend the agency?
Does the agency have staff that can communicate effectively in a
language other than English, if needed?
Does the agency do background check on all staff?
Evaluating Home Care Agencies
After screening several home care agencies, you may want to choose one
or two for an in-depth evaluation. The following questions can guide you:
How will the agency assess needs? Most agencies begin by
sending someone to make an initial assessment of needs.
Although an in-depth assessment prior to this point, the agency will
need to determine the appropriate level of services.
What is the training and experience of the caregivers? Ask
what training the agency provides to its caregivers, and if the home
care aides are certified by the agency. Does the agency require
that its caregivers participate in a continuing education program?
Ask if the caregivers are trained to identify and report changes in
services needs and health conditions.
What specific caregivers will be assigned to you or your loved
one? Do the caregivers have experience or receive special
training in the type of care that is needed, such as Alzheimer’s
care? Do they have training with a particular type of assistive
technology, such as a Hoyer lift? How long have they been
working in the home care field?
What services are provided? Sometimes an aide who helps with
bathing and dressing can’t cook meals, or someone who cleans
and does shopping isn’t licensed to drive with their client in the car.
Aides also may not be able to administer medications.
How does the agency develop the plan of care and supervise
the caregiver? Does a medical professional or experienced
supervisor evaluate and supervise the caregiver in the home and
get input from the individual? How much control and personal
independence does an agency provide to its clients? How does an
agency involve the individual and family members in the process of
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
200
Home Care Checklist (continued)
assigning and supervising caregivers? Does the agency seek input
from the individual on his or her care plan?
How does the agency assure continuity of care? Having a
limited number of caregivers is less confusing and more comforting
to an individual. Can the agency reasonably ensure that the same
caregiver(s) will provide the home care services each week? How
long do caregivers stay with the agency? What is the turnover
rate? If a substitute caregiver is sent, when does the agency
provide notice to the individual or family? Ask how the agency
assures that the substitute caregiver will be familiar with the care
plan and needs of the individual?
What special support services are provided? For instance,
does the agency provide a 24-hour phone line?
How can the agency be paid? If you are paying for the services,
compare the billing process and payment plans offered by different
agencies. Compare how often you will be billed and whether you
will be required to pay in advance. Ask if there are additional costs,
such as fees or deposits, not included in the price quoted. Will you
have to pay extra for holidays or weekends? If special equipment
is needed, will it be covered by insurance or will the agency pay for
it?
How much will the caregiver be paid? Does the caregiver earn
enough to be dependable? Paying a decent wage, although costly
for you, will minimize turnover. (Note: If you are paying for
services directly, pay by check or get receipts for all cash
payments.)
Monitoring Home Care Agencies
It is important to monitor the service delivery from home health agencies.
The following is a checklist that can be used for home health care
monitoring.
Is staff polite and respectful?
Is staff properly trained and licensed to perform the type of health
care needed?
Is the plan of care fully explained?
Is participation in care plan development encouraged?
Does the staff check for physical and emotional changes each
visit?
Does the agency respond quickly to requests?
Does staff respond quickly to changes in health or behavior?
Is privacy respected?
Are complaints handled appropriately and in a timely manner?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
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Appendix W- Home Safety Checklist
Created by Rebuilding Together in partnership with the Administration on Aging
Use this list to identify fall hazards and accessibility issues of the homeowner and
family members.
1. Exterior Entrances and Exits
Note condition of walk and drive surface; existence of curb cuts
Note handrail condition, right and left sides
Note light level for driveway, walk, porch
Check door threshold height
Note ability to use knob, lock, key, mailbox, peephole, and package shelf
Do door and window locks work?
2. Interior Doors, Stairs, and Halls
Note height of door threshold, knob and hinge types; clear width door
opening; determine direction that door swings
Note presence of floor level changes
Note hall width, adequate for walker/wheelchair
Determine stair flight run: straight or curved
Note stair rails: condition, right and left side
Examine light level, clutter hazards
Note floor surface texture and contrast
3. Bathroom
Are basin and tub faucets, shower control and drain plugs manageable?
Are hot water pipes covered?
Is mirror height appropriate, sit and stand?
Note ability to reach shelf above, below basin
Note ability to step in and out of the bath and shower
Can resident use bath bench in tub or shower?
Note toilet height; ability to reach paper; flush; come from sit to stand
posture
Is space available for caregiver to assist?
4. Kitchen
Note overall light level, task lighting
Note sink and counter heights
Note wall and floor storage shelf heights
Are under sink hot water pipes covered?
Is there under counter knee space?
Is there a nearby surface to rest hot foods on when removed from oven?
Note stove control location (rear or front)
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
202
Home Safety Checklist (continued)
5. Living Room, Dining Room, Bedroom
Chair, sofa, bed heights allow sitting or standing?
Do rugs have non-slip pad or rug tape?
Chair available with arm rests?
Able to turn on light, radio, TV, place a phone call from bed, chair, and
sofa?
6. Laundry
Able to hand-wash and hang clothes to dry?
Able to access automatic washer/dryer?
7. Telephone and Door
Phone jack location near bed, sofa, chair?
Able to get phone, dial, hear caller?
Able to identify visitors, hear doorbell?
Able to reach and empty mailbox?
Wears neck/wrist device to obtain emergency help?
8. Storage Space
Able to reach closet rods and hooks, open bureau drawers?
Is there a light inside the closet?
9. Windows
Opening mechanism at 42 inches from floor?
Lock accessible, easy to operate?
Sill height above floor level?
10. Electric Outlets and Controls
Sufficient outlets?
Outlet height, wall locations
Low vision/sound warnings available?
Extension cord hazard?
11. Heat, Light, Ventilation, Security, Carbon Monoxide, Water Temp
Control
Are there smoke/CO detectors and a fire extinguisher?
Thermometer displays easily readable?
Accessible environmental controls?
Pressure balance valve available?
Note rooms where poor light level exists
Able to open windows; slide patio doors?
Able to open drapes or curtains?
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
203
Home Safety Checklist (continued)
HELP PREVENT FALLS: Use this list to prioritize work tasks. Leave a copy of
this list with the family so they can make further improvements.
1. Exterior Entrances, Exits
Increase lighting at entry area
Install stair rails on both sides
Install door lever handles; double-bolt lock
Install beveled, no step, no trip threshold
Remove screen or storm door if needed
Create surface to place packages when opening door
Install peephole on exterior door
Repair holes, uneven joints on walkway
Provide non-slip finish to walkway surface
Add ramp
2. Interior Doors, Stairs, Halls
Create clear pathways between rooms
Apply color contrast or texture change at top and bottom stair edges
Install door lever handle
Install swing-clear hinges to widen doorway. Minimum width: 32 inches
Install beveled thresholds (max 1/2 inch)
Replace or add non-slip surface on steps
Repair or install stair handrails on both sides
3. Bathroom
Install swing-clear hinges to widen doorway. Minimum width: 32 inches
Install secure wall reinforcement and place grab bars at toilet, bath and
shower
Install adjustable-height shower head
Install non-slip strips in bath/shower
Secure floor bathmat with non-slip, double-sided rug tape
Elevate toilet height by adding portable seat or raising toilet base on a
pedestal
Adapt flush handle or install flush sensor
Adapt or relocate toilet paper dispenser
Round counter corners to provide safety
Insulate hot water pipes if exposed
Create sitting knee clearance at basin by removing vanity door and
shelves underneath
Install mirror for sitting or standing view
Install good-quality non-glare lighting
Install shower with no threshold if bathing abilities are severely limited
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
204
Home Safety Checklist (continued)
4. Kitchen
Increase task lighting at sink, stove, etc.
Install D-type cupboard door handles
Install adjustable shelving to increase access to upper cabinets
Increase access to under counter storage space by installing pull-out units
Insulate hot water pipes if exposed
Install hot-proof surface near oven
Install switches and outlets at front of counter
Install pressure-balanced, temperature-regulated, lever faucets
Create sitting knee clearance under work sites by removing doors or
shelves
Improve color contrast of cabinet and counters surface edges for those
with low vision
Add tactile and color-contrasted controls for those with low vision
5. Living Room, Dining Room, Bedroom
Widen or clear pathways within each room by rearranging furniture
Secure throw and area rug edges with double-sided tape
Improve access to and from chairs and beds by inserting risers under
furniture legs
Use side bed rail or chairs with armrests
Install telephone jack near chair or bed
Enlarge lamp switch or install touch-control lamp at bedside
Install adjustable closet rods, shelving and light source for better storage
access
Install vertical pole adjacent to chair and sofa
Raise furniture to appropriate height using leg extender products
Install uniform level floor surfaces using wood, tile or low pile rugs
6. Laundry
Build a counter for sorting and folding clothes
Adjust clothesline to convenient height
Relocate laundry appliances
7. Telephone and Door
Install phone jacks near bed, sofa, and chair
Install peephole at convenient height
Install flashing light or sound amplifier to indicate ringing doorbell for those
with visual or hearing problems
Install mailbox at accessible height
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
205
Home Safety Checklist (continued)
8. Storage Space
Install lights inside closet
Install adjustable closet rods and shelves
Install bi-fold or pocket doors
9. Windows
Install handles and locks that are easy to grip, placed at appropriate
heights
10. Electrical Outlets and Controls
Install light fixtures or outlet for lamps
Install switches at top and bottom of stairs
11. Heat, Air, Light, Security, Water Temp, Carbon Monoxide Controls
Install smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers
Increase residents' access to environmental control systems
Comments:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
206
Appendix X - Current Home
Medication List
Name: ________________________ Date of Birth: __________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________
Physicians: ______________________________________________________________________
Allergies: ________________________________________________________________________
Complete the information below regarding all medications you are
currently taking. Be certain to list both prescription and
non-prescription medications, including any herbals or supplements
you take. Keep this list with you at all times, especially when you
go to your physician or are admitted to the hospital.
***Remember to keep the list updated***
Date this list was made/last updated: ____________ (date)
Start
Date Medication Dosage How Often Reason Stop Date
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
207
Current Home Medication List (cont.)
Start
Date Medication Dosage How Often Reason Stop Date
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
208
Appendix Y - Where to Find My Important Papers
Name:
__________________________________________________________________________
Social Security No.:
__________________________________________________________________________
Spouse's/Partner's Name:
__________________________________________________________________________
Social Security No.:
__________________________________________________________________________
Address:
__________________________________________________________________________
Telephone number:
__________________________________________________________________________
Date Prepared:
__________________________________________________________________________
Copies Given to:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Steps for Getting Your Affairs in Order
1. Put your important papers and copies of legal documents in one place.
2. Tell a trusted family member or friend where you put all your important papers.
3. Give consent in advance for your doctor or lawyer to talk with your caregiver as needed.
Item
Where to find it Notes/Updates
My Will (original)
Power of attorney - healthcare
Power of attorney - finance
Spouse's/Partner's Will (original)
Safe Combination
Trust agreement
Life insurance policy
Health insurance policy
Homeowners policy
Car insurance policy
Employment contracts
Partnership agreements
List of checking, saving accounts
List of credit cards
Retirement papers
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
209
Deferred compensation; IRA
Funeral arrangements
Titles and deeds
Mortgage notes
List of stored & loaned items
Auto ownership records (title)
Birth certificate
Military/veterans papers
Marriage certificate
Children's birth certificate
Divorce/separation records
Other
Other
Important Names, Addresses, and Phone Numbers
Emergency Contact: ______________________________________________________________________
Doctor(s):________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
Clergy: __________________________________________________________________________________
Attorney: ________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
Accountant: _____________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
Insurance Agent: _________________________________________________________________________
Other: __________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
210
Appendix Z - What you need to know about Applying for
Medical Assistance for the Aged, Blind and Disabled
When you apply for medical assistance you will be asked to provide documents
containing information that can verify both your personal and your financial
information. The more documents you are able to provide the easier it will be to
process your application. If some documents are not available, information can
sometimes be verified through outside resources. However, using outside
resources may cause delays in processing your application. The following
information explains what documents you will need to apply:
Basic Information:
In order to qualify for Medicaid you must be 65 years old or blind or disabled and
either a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted for permanent residence (or certain
eligible aliens) and a resident of New Jersey. Proof of your marital status is
needed along with your spouse's social security number and date of birth
because the resources of your spouse will also be used in determining your
financial eligibility. Listed in the columns below are examples of documentation
that can assist in the processing of your application. Only one document from
each column is needed. Be aware that some documents provide proof for more
than one category. For example, a US Passport will prove your age, citizenship
and identity. Documents that should be included with your application include but
are not limited to:
Age Citizenship
US Passport US Passport
Birth Certificate Birth Certificate
Driver’s License Naturalization Papers
Baptismal Certificate Alien Registration Card
State issued I.D Final Adoption Decree
Identity* Marital Status
US Passport Marriage Certificate
Photo License Divorce Decree
School I.D. Death Certificate
US Military I.D. Separation Papers
*Consult with your County Welfare Agency to obtain a more detailed list of tiered
verifications that can be accepted.
Proof of Residency
Any of the following documents will provide proof of New Jersey residency:
Copy of Deed to Home
Rent Receipt
Apartment Lease
Current Utility Bill
NJ Driver’s License
Statement from Landlord
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
211
What you need to know about Applying for Medical Assistance for the
Aged, Blind and Disabled (continued)
Financial Information:
You must meet certain income criteria and be resource eligible. The income can
be earned (receiving a pay check), or unearned (receiving interest from an
investment account). Listed below are examples of documents that can prove
how much money you receive each month. Documents showing income include
but are not limited to:
Most Recent Pay Stubs
Social Security Check or
Award Letter*
Railroad Retirement Check or
Award Letter*
Temporary Disability Check or
Award Letter*
Pension Checks
Unemployment Check Stubs
Workers Compensation
Check Stubs
Support/Alimony Checks or
Court Date
VA Check or Award Letter*
Reparation Payments
Payments from Boarders
SSI Check or Award Letter*
Dividend Checks
Federal Income Tax Returns
including: Schedule C – Net
Profit from Business,
Schedule D – Capital Gains,
Schedule E – Rental Real
Estate, Schedule K –
Partner’s Share of Income
*Award Letter Preferred
Available Resources
You are allowed $2000/$4000 in resources, (more if applicant is married). In
order to present the clearest picture of your financial situation, please bring
copies of the following items:
Checking Accounts*
Savings Accounts*
Credit Union
Shares/Accounts*
Money Market Accounts*
Christmas/Vacation Club
Accounts*
Certificates of Deposit
Annuities
Stocks or Bonds
Retirement Accounts
Special Needs Trusts
Copies of Life Insurance
Life Insurance Trust Shares
Policies with cash value
*The last three (3) months of statements or passbook entries for every
financial account prior to applying for Medicaid must be provided. In
addition, three (3) months of statements or passbook entries for those
same accounts for the past three (3) years should be provided. This
documentation is also required for any accounts closed within the past 3
years. You may be asked to provide statements for the entire look-back
period prior to your application if there has been a large amount of money
removed or transferred from your accounts for any reason.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
212
What you need to know about Applying for Medical Assistance for the
Aged, Blind and Disabled (continued)
Living Expenses
If you are currently living with your spouse and one of you is applying for nursing
home placement through the Medicaid Program, you will need to document your
monthly living expenses. Some of the documents that you can provide to show
your living expenses include, but are not limited to:
Rent Receipts
Mortgage Statements
Real Estate Tax Bills
Telephone Bills
Gas/Oil Bills
Electric Bills
Water/Sewer Bills
Renter Insurance
Home Owners Insurance
Health Insurance Bills
Unpaid Medical Bills
Outstanding Loans
In addition to the documentation listed in the categories above please bring any
documents that show you have designated a Power of Attorney or a Third
Party Signator to help you with your finances. If you are a third party applying
for an incapacitated individual, please include any Guardianship documentation.
You may be asked to provide information in addition to that which is listed in this
document. The reason additional information may be requested is to insure that
the County Welfare Agency has the most complete understanding of your
situation as possible. You will be helping them to provide you with the most
suitable care for your circumstances.
For further information contact your local County Welfare Agency (For contact
information see Appendix G).
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
213
Appendix AA - Who Pays for Long-Term Care? (2015)
Long-Term Care Service Medicare Private Medigap
Insurance
Medicaid You Pay on Your
Own
Nursing Home Care Pays in full for days 0-20 if you
are in a Skilled Nursing Facility
following a recent 3-day
hospital stay. If your need for
skilled care continues, may
pay for days 21 through 100
after you pay a $158/day co-
payment
May cover the
$158
/
day copayment
if your nursing home
stay meets all other
Medicare
requirements.
May pay for care in
a Medicaid-certified
nursing home if you
meet functional and
financial eligibility
criteria.
If you need only
personal or
supervisory care in a
nursing home and/or
have not had a prior
hospital stay, or if
you choose a
nursing home that
does not participate
in Medicaid or is not
Medicare-certified.
Assisted Living Facility
(and similar facility
options)
Does not pay room & board.
Pays medical care if provided
by Medicare provider
Does not pay room
& board. Covers
Medicare copays for
medical care
In some states,
may pay care-
related costs, but
not room and board
You pay on your
own except as noted
under Medicaid if
eligible.
Continuing Care
Retirement Community
Does not pay room & board.
May pay SNF level of care as
above if Medicare-certified
Does not pay room
& board. May pay
SNF level of care as
above if Medicare-
certified
Does not pay You pay on your
own
Adult Day Services Not covered Not covered Varies by state,
financial and
functional eligibility
required
You pay on your
own [except as
noted under
Medicaid if eligible.]
Home Health Care Limited to reasonable,
necessary part-time or
intermittent skilled nursing
care and home health aide
services, and some therapies
that are ordered by your
doctor and provided by
Medicare-certified home
health agency. Does not pay
for on-going personal care or
custodial care needs only
(help with activities of daily
living).
Only covers
Medicare-covered
home health care
co-pays
Pay for, but states
have option to limit
some services,
such as therapy
You pay on your
own for personal or
custodial care,
except as noted
under Medicaid, if
you are eligible
* Long Term Care Insurance policies may help cover some of these costs.
NOTE: Each year co-payment rates may change. For updates or additional information
on how to pay for long-term care, visit www.longtermcare.gov/costs-how-to-pay or
www.medicare.gov.
For help call your AAA/ADRC toll-free at 1-877-222-3737.
214
Appendix BB – 2015 Federal Poverty Guidelines
2014 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES
AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Persons in family Poverty guideline
1 $11,770
2 15,930
3 20,090
4 24,250
5 28,410
6 32,570
7 36,730
8 40,890
For families with more than 8 persons, add $4,160
for each additional person.
Please note that programs may have a higher income threshold for eligibility and
therefore, you should check with the entity that processes applications and
conducts eligibility screenings.
For additional information regarding Federal Poverty Guidelines, please visit the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at
http://aspe.hhs.gov/POVERTY/.
