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The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services provides services, support, and information for seniors of New Jersey. The services, contracted providers, and facilities are made available to anyone of senior status.
Some of the services and/or information provided are as follows:
- NAPIS (National Aging Program System Information)—program reporting methods and procedures are regulated by the federal government, who directs the AoA (the Administration on Aging). As of 1992, AoA, under a directive to refine reporting systems, developed the computerized system, NAPIS, to provide thorough and exact information on the following:
- Personal Care
- Homemaker
- Chore
- Home-meals
- Adult Day Care and Adult Day Health
- Case Management
- Congregate Meals
- Nutrition Counseling and Nutrition Education
- Transportation and Assisted Transportation
- Information Assistance and Legal Assistance
- Outreach
- Family Caregiver Support Program
- Adult Protective Services—providing protection, legal quality, and information to maintain the respect, dignity and privacy rights all elders deserve.
- Elder Abuse Agencies
- Family Care Safety Registry
- Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging
- Guide to Home- and Community-based Services
- Long-term Care Regulations
- An Ombudsman Program—another remarkable service, this program is composed of volunteers—often all seniors—who create materials, provide suggestions, and speak to the issues and concerns of elders.
- In-Home Services Information
- Home and Community Services—guides, calendars, and clubs, as well as games, social gatherings, community volunteer and outreach programs that involve seniors as the key task leaders
- Nursing Homes
- Nutrition Information and Guides
- Senior Legislative Boards—where seniors are the committee and board chairs, members, and advisors
- Area Agencies on Aging—a vital resource available to assist, search, inform, advocate, and engage communities and others in the issues/concerns of aging. In 1973, amendments were made to the Older Americas Act (the OAA). These amendments required every state devote a specific area (of the areas it was mandated to divide into—planning and service) to elder persons at the local level. Each state has 10 AAA’s and each AAA is required to have an area plan that addresses issues particular to seniors by way of implemented programs, services, and subcategories of those programs and services. Each AAA is required these, in order to continue being funded by The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. And each AAA is required by law to provide categorical support in each of the following:
- Disease Prevention
- Health Promotion
- In-home Services
- Legal Services
- Nutrition
- Access
- Medical and Emergency Medical Services
- Family Care Safety Registry
- Health Care Professional Student Loans--provides financial support/aid to students pursuing careers as licensed practical nurses or professional nurses in underserved areas of aging.
As you can see, The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is an extensive federally regulated and subsidized division of America that without our seniors might suffer greatly but with evolve spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically as their wellbeing is catered to and cared for. The operative word being “care.”
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