Wednesday, January 29, 2003

County Offers Respite Services for Adult Caregivers

County Executive Dennis Levinson has announced the renewal of a multi-vendor contract that provides a comprehensive package of respite services for those who provide care to senior adults. The $142,267 contract was unanimously approved yesterday by the Board of Freeholders and includes such services as adult social day care, adult medical day care, caregiver education, home health aide assistance, and homemaker and companion services.

"As our senior adult population grows older, more responsibility may be placed on family members to provide continual care for the elderly. Respite services are an important means of providing some assistance to these individuals and to help relieve the stress on caregivers."

According to Levinson, a fundamental role of county government is to help link citizens to the services they need. The county's process requires that interested service providers must submit a proposal that is reviewed and rated by a three member committee. "The service providers we have contracted for respite care have been evaluated and recommended as the best qualified to meet the needs of our residents," said Levinson.

The multi-vendor contract includes: Caring, Inc.; Beron Jewish Older Adults Services, Generations Adult Day Care Health Services, Senior Care Centers of America, Inc., Seashore Gardens, Shore Memorial Hospital, Kessler/Atlanticare Home Health, Bayada Nursing, Inc. and Home Care Specialists, Inc.

For more information, please contact Marilu Gagnon, Division of Intergenerational Services, at (609) 645-7700, ext. 4700.

County News