Morris and Essex County Community Caregiver Resources
Seniors and Family Caregivers in Morris County may find these community resources helpful
Here are local programs in our community that are new or not well known yet and would benefit caregivers because they are either free or VERY low cost resources for seniors and those who care for them:
Monthly Seminars:
Aging Well
When: First Wednesday of each month 11am – 12pm
Topics will vary
Free to members & non-members.
Location: Randolph YMCA, Program House, 14 Dover Chester
Rd, Randolph.
Click Here for More Info.: https://www.randolphymca.org/programs/screenings-support-groups-lectures.
Hosted by Heidi Rinsky Schnapp, LMR Elder Care, LLC.
RSVP to 973-533-0839 or hello@lmreldercare.com
Video Resources:
POLST Information (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment)
http://www.goalsofcare.org/njpolst-video-series/
United Way Informed Caregiver Video Series
More videos have been added! Go to: http://www.unitedwaynnj.org/newsevents/pvvideoscaregiving.php
Programs
Tame the Pain – Opioid-Free Pain Management for Older Adults
NewBridge Services offers a free program for Morris County residents age 60+ and their caregivers,
families, and service providers. Learn the risks of prescription opioid use and the array of evidencebased,
opioid-free pain management options. Helps participants reduce or discontinue opioid use;
teaches evidence-based skills to ensure healthful aging; covers non-opioid pain management options,
e.g. physical therapy and yoga; alerts caregivers/families to the risks for opioid use, and safer
alternatives; offers the option of group or one-on-one sessions; gives groups flexibility on workshop
location; tailors program content to need of each group/individual. Senior clubs, houses of worship. And
municipalities can request a single workshop or multi-week program. Participants will enjoy refreshments
and giveaways. For more information, contact NewBridge COO Michelle Borden at
mborden@newbridge.org or 973-686-2225.
NJ Comfort Partners Program
Free, energy saving and energy education program for income-eligible customers, helping to save energy
and money. Certified Building Performance Institute contractors will install energy-saving measure in
your home to help lower your energy bills. You’ll be shown new ways to conserve energy and learn how
to create an action plan to support your efforts. Call to see if eligible: 800-915-8309
In-Home Therapy for Seniors Morris County
the geriatric psychotherapy services provides in-home therapy services for seniors. The goal of the
program is to help consumers regain their mental health and enter into productive lives as individuals,
family members, and members of society. Consumers shall receive psychotherapy services appropriate
to their needs in order to improve the quality of their lives. When indicated consumers in need of
psychotropic medication insurance will be referred accordingly. Treatment includes individual and family
therapy. Consumers are evaluated solely based on their ability to utilize and benefit from psychotherapy.
Most of the treatment is conducted by psychotherapists in the consumers natural environment. These
services will help consumers: increase their levels of functioning on a day today basis to reduce any
negative symptomology; Aid them into developing positive coping strategies to use in the future; Provide
coping skills. Assist them with making connections with other community services. For more information
on the services, contact Femitchell Ashely at 973–334–3496. Or fashley@mhaessexmorris.org
Morris County Senior Community Connection
Who qualifies: Seniors 60 or older, living in Morris County; Patients who do not qualify for Medicare
home care services because they are not homebound or do not have a need for nurse or a rehabilitation
therapist. Reason for referral:
- Psychosocial support/counseling, long term care planning
- Connect seniors with community-based services to stay safely in their own homes
- Assistance with scheduling medical appointments and transportation
- Seniors with multiple medications, chronic illness, minimal support systems
- Those at high risk for re-hospitalization
- Improve overall health and quality of life Call: (973) 921-8504
- Email: michelle.summer@atlantichealth.org
** Provide the clients name, demographics and what you feel the need is for the referral **
Social Security Benefits Extra Help
Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The
Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,900 per year. To qualify for Extra Help: • You must reside in
one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; • Your resources must be limited to $14,390 for an
individual or $28,720 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank
accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count your home, car, or any life insurance policy as resources;
and your annual income must be limited to $18,783 for an individual or $25,365 for a married couple living
together. Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help. Some examples
where you may have higher income and still qualify for Extra Help include if you or your spouse:
—Support other family members who live with you;
—Have earnings from work; or Live in Alaska or Hawaii. Social Security has an easy–to–use online
application that you can help complete for your love one. In fact, anyone — family members, friends and
caregivers — can help complete an application. Eligible beneficiaries can also apply by phone at 1–
800–772–1213 (TTY 1–800–325–0778). Or go to the nearest local Social Security office.
Consumer’s Guide to Homemaker-Home Health Aides from the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs
website. This is a comprehensive guide on hiring a caregiver through an agency.
https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/hhh/Documents/A-Consumers-Guide-to-Homemaker-Home-Health-
Aides.pdf#search=A%20consumer%27s%20guide%20to%20homemaker-home%20health%20aides
Health Insurance Coverage-NJFamilyCare
Apply anytime. Free or low cost heath coverage. Easy online application: www.njfamilycare.org or call
800-701-1710 (TTY: 800-701-0720)
Free Tax Preparation
IRS-certified volunteers are ready to help you get the most from your federal and state tax returns.
Appointments are required. Available February through April. Call 973.993.1160, x5 or visit
UnitedWayNNJ.org/FreeTaxPrep. If you can’t make it to a site, you can do your taxes yourself atMyFreeTaxes.com
United Way of Northern New Jersey is seeking volunteers for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
(VITA) program. Last year volunteers prepared almost 6,000 free tax returns across Northern New
Jersey, allowing people to claim more than $2 million in tax credits, resulting in $6 million in tax refunds.
No experience is necessary Free training for IRS certification is provided, covering preparation of both
Federal and New Jersey income tax returns.
Go to https://unitedwayofnorthernnewjersey.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?calendarID=710893 to
sign up for a one hour orientation webinar, which provides a brief overview of United Way of Northern
New Jersey's free tax preparation program and the many opportunities it provides for volunteers. For
questions about our free tax preparation program, email Monica.Conover@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call
973.993.1160, x529
Utility Assistance Programs
The utility assistance programs that are funded by the state and federal government were created to help
low-income residents with their heating and medically necessary cooling bills. Some programs make
provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance, while others enable
home modifications that result in long-term energy savings. The programs have income eligibility guidelines
associated with them. These guidelines are based on a figure known as the Federal Poverty Level. Set by
the federal government each year, this figure reflects an annual income that is considered to be at the
poverty level based upon the number of members in a family and the cost of living. To learn more and if
you qualify: https://www.nj211.org/utility-assistance-programs
NJ SHARES
New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral Energy Service, Inc. (NJSHARES) - is a non-profit
organization which administers an energy-assistance program that assists households who do not qualify
for federal or state energy programs and whose income does not exceed 400 percent of the Federal Poverty
Level. Each client fills out an electronic application with the assistance of a local community-based
organization. Applications are taken by more than 230 participating intake agencies at local sites throughout
the state. Eligibility is determined by income and household size. The maximum grant awarded by New
Jersey SHARES is $700 for heating and $500 for electric service. Clients heating with electric may receive up to $700 on their electric heat account. Grants are distributed year-round based on funding availability.
https://www.nj211.org/utility-assistance-programs