JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

If you have not received any recent mail from the Committee, it is because you are not on our mailing list.  So, if you are 60 or older, please let us know your name and address.  You may call 201-664-1849, ext. 25 or e-mail The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.

NEW ONLINE DATABASE OF SENIOR-SERVICE PROVIDERS

Bergen County has unveiled a new online database of senior-service providers operating in Bergen County. The database of approximately 400 providers allows senior citizens and their families to quickly identify available services and contact individual departments and organizations.

This site is available by visiting www.co.bergen.nj.us/Seniors1/Index.html

THE BOROUGH OF OLD TAPPAN SENIOR PREFERRED PRESCRIPTION SAVINGS CARD

Click here for information.

LEARN ABOUT BENFITS THAT SENIOR CITIZENS QUALIFY FOR AT BenefitsCheckUp.org

BenefitsCheckUp.org is a new, free and easy-to-use web-based service that allows older Americans, their families, caregivers, and community organizations to quickly and easily determine what benefits they qualify for and how to claim them. BenefitsCheckUpidentifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans. Researching these programs used to be a time-consuming and frustrating experience, but it no longer is!

Here's How it Works:You take 10 to 15 minutes to enter information about your financial situation into an online questionnaire. Then, BenefitsCheckUp explains what benefit programs you may be eligible for and how to apply for them. BenefitsCheckUp is completely confidential. It does not require your name, address, phone number, Social Security number or other information that could be used to identify you. You enter simple information, such as your age, income , and zip code and BenefitsCheckUp identifies programs might qualify for.  If you don't have a computer, you might try to call your local library, senior center, or Social Services department. 

EVALUATE ELDER CARE OPTIONS AT:
www.ElderWeb.com

ElderWeb.com aids senior citizens, their family members, and professionals evaluating elder-care options. This award-winning site addresses topics as diverse as elder law (regional and national), insurance (annuities, long-term care insurance, and more), and housing and care options. ElderWeb.com includes a news section with up-to-the-moment encapsulations of news affecting the elderly, a finance and law area that addresses ways to finance your loved ones' housing and care needs, an overview of the numerous living arrangements available, a regional director of agencies and associations, and a comprehensive list of elder care-related websites. There are also numerous helpful and reliable links at ElderWeb.com. Most pages within the site provide ElderWeb-generated information and external links to maximize your information gathering.

                       ASSISTED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

This Program includes:
Supervision on all vehicles
Door-to-Door Transportation
Wheelchair Accessibility
Available 4 days per week by appointment only

Transportation will be provided on a regular basis to:
Adler Aphasia Center
Bernard W. Gimbel Multiple Sclerosis Center
Jewish Home at Rockleigh Medical & Dental Suites
Adult Housing Centers
Community Centers
Medical Appointments
And many other service organizations throughout Bergen CountyFor more information, please contact the Gallen Adult Medical Day Care Center at
201-784-1414, ext. 5336. (recommended donation of $2 per trip)

CHIME
Counseling on Health Insurance for Medicare EnrolleesThe Counseling on Health Insurance for Medical Enrollees (CHIME) Program provides free help to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with or questions about their health insurance.
CHIME is a statewide organization sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Senior Affairs, with major funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Care Financing Administration.

Frequently there are questions about Medicare benefits and claims, Medicare supplement policies, and long term care insurance. Volunteer counselors, trained in areas of health insurance coverage and benefits which affect Medicare beneficiaries provide information and assistance for dealing with claims and in evaluating health insurance needs.

Volunteer counselors do not provide legal advice, sell, recommend, or endorse any specific insurance product, agent, insurance company, or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). They provide information and assistance so that you can make your own decisions. Counseling is free of charge.

Call CHIME for free, objective, and confidential counseling by trained volunteers who know the inside track in the Medicare/health insurance maze.Some

Some Frequently asked questions include:
How much insurance do I really need?
How much insurance do I really need?
What are the "gaps" in Medicare coverage?
What do I do if Medicare denies payment for a claim?
Whom do I call if I have a question a bout a claim?
Does Medicare pay for nursing home care?
Do I need a long-term care insurance?
Adler Aphasia Center
Bernard W. Gimbel Multiple Sclerosis Center
Jewish Home at Rockleigh Medical & Dental Suites
Adult Housing Centers
Community Centers
Medical Appointments
And many other service organizations throughout Bergen County
For more information, please contact the Gallen Adult Medical Day Care Center at 201-784-1414, ext. 5336. (recommended donation of $2 per trip)
ABOUT THE SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Mayor and Council established the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee in October 1996 by Old Tappan Ordinance #592-96 Currently, the Committee meets throughout the year on the third Thursday of each month at 4:00 pm in the Borough Hall conference room.  All meetings are open to the public. Mission Statement:  To inform the Mayor and Council and the residents of Old Tappan of the special needs of Seniors, and to reaffirm the dignity and value of the older adults in the community.  Also, to provide Seniors with information and services available that will help them improve their quality of life. Current Officers Chairman                                          Robert  "Bob" Colwell
Treasurer                                          Bob Boyer
Secretary                                          Jean Dimola
County Senior                                  Ron Pearsall
Committee Liaison                          Joe Capria
  The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee is looking for more members.  If interested, contact the Borough Administrator at 664-1849, ext. 25, or by e-mail.    
STORE DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS

Store & Location	Day	Discount to Seniors
Dunkin Donuts	Every Day	10%
D'Erocole's, Norwood	Tuesdays	10%
Marty's Shoes (all locations)	Wednesdays	10%
Van Houten Farms, Sickletown Rd., Pearl River, NY	Tuesdays	10%

Store & Location	Day	Discount to Seniors
Dunkin Donuts	Every Day	10%
D'Erocole's, Norwood	Tuesdays	10%
Marty's Shoes (all locations)	Wednesdays	10%
Van Houten Farms, Sickletown Rd., Pearl River, NY	Tuesdays	10%

    TWO SPECIAL BENEFIT PROGRAMS OFFER HELP WITH PRESCRIPTION COSTS 
PAAD (Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled) and Senior Gold are both State-funded prescription programs which help eligible New Jersey residents, with the cost of prescribed medication (including insulin, insulin needles, certain diabetic testing materials and syringes, and needles for injectable medicines used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis). PAAD cardholders pay $5 for each covered prescription.  If you are eligible for PAAD, you may also be eligible to receive some other benefits, for example, Lifeline which provides assistance for utility bills, Hearing Aid Assistance to the Aged and Disabled, reduced motor vehicle fees, and the property tax freeze. Senior Gold cardholders have income up to $10,000 above the PAAD limits, and pay $15 plus 50% of the remaining cost for each covered prescription.  Once Senior Gold cardholders reach annual out-of-pocket expenses exceeding $2,000 for single persons and $3,000 a year for married couples, they pay only $15 per prescription.For eligibility requirements and more information, click here for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services website.
For eligibility requirements and more information, click here for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services website. THE BOROUGH OF OLD TAPPAN SENIOR PREFERRED PRESCRIPTION SAVINGS CARD: CLICK HERE BERGEN NJ EASE

A coordinated system to simplify access to health and human service systems for older adults and individuals with disabilities over the age of 18.Bergen County Department of Human Services
One Bergen County Plaza
Second Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
1-877-222-3737
1-888-263-3273
NJ Relay # for TTY users: 1-800-852-7897
www.co.bergen.nj.us/departments/human_services

Who Benefits?

-   Adults 60 years of age or older
-   Adults with disabilities 18 years of age or older
-   Family members
-   Caregivers
-  Human Services & Healthcare Professionals 


What Information/Assistance is Available?

-   PAAD
-  Lifeline
-  Medicaid
-  Medicare
-   Referrals
-   Nutrition
-   Education
-  Recreation
-  Volunteer Opportunities
-   Health Outreach
-   Adult Day Care
-  Benefits Screening
-   Care Management
-   In-Home Assistance
-   Meals on Wheels
-  Respite Care


A coordinated system to simplify access to health and human service systems for older adults and individuals with disabilities over the age of 18.   Bergen County Department of Human Services
One Bergen County Plaza
Second Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
1-877-222-3737
1-888-263-3273
NJ Relay # for TTY users: 1-800-852-7897
www.co.bergen.nj.us/departments/human_services Who Benefits? -   Adults 60 years of age or older
-   Adults with disabilities 18 years of age or older
-   Family members
-   Caregivers
-  Human Services & Healthcare Professionals  What Information/Assistance is Available? -   PAAD
-  Lifeline
-  Medicaid
-  Medicare
-   Referrals
-   Nutrition
-   Education
-  Recreation
-  Volunteer Opportunities
-   Health Outreach
-   Adult Day Care
-  Benefits Screening
-   Care Management
-   In-Home Assistance
-   Meals on Wheels
-  Respite Care

ACTIVITIES OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1996-2000

1. While going to Senior citizen meetings twice a month, we observed that Seniors had trouble crossing Old Tappan Road because of heavy traffic, and requested a crossing guard for their safety. Result: Old Tappan Police provided a crossing guard for the meetings.   2. Surveyed approximately 10 surrounding communities by phone and personal contact including mayors, administrators, directors of Senior Citizens Centers and presidents of Senior clubs. This was done to find out what services and facilities other towns were providing Seniors, how they went about it, financed it and where the money came from. 3. Designed and distributed, via the Old Tappan Newsletter, a health questionnaire for Seniors and those with special needs which, when completed, was computerized by the Police Department to enhance emergency response. 4. Made a complete survey of public transportation available in Northeast Bergen County. The survey showed that Old Tappan, out of 26 or more surrounding towns, was the only community without buses throughout the day. 5. Investigated the availability of vans in other towns for jitney service and found that they were available and are financed by the Bergen County Community Fund. Application was made to the County with no result. A second application was filed with the County and through the efforts of the town council, we obtained $25,500 toward the purchase of a Senior van. With the addition of $25,000 from the Mayor and Council, a van was purchased by competitive bid and delivered in January 2000. It has been in operation since then with volunteer drivers and assistants. 6. We provided small medical cards with all pertinent health information that can be carried in a wallet for convenience away from home. 7. Members have attended the annual Senior Forum at the Administration Building in Hackensack to keep informed about some of the general concerns of Seniors. We learned that 20% of the Bergen County population is over 60 years of age. Those 85 years and older are the fastest growing segment of the population. 8. We informed the Recreation Commission and the Mayor and Council that facilities should be provided for passive recreation for Seniors, for example: walking paths, park benches and an open air structure that would provide protection from the elements. 9. Currently we have asked the Mayor and Council to consider negotiating with the garbage collection agency to provide lower rates for Seniors in town who have less garbage per month.