Morristown, NJ (PRWEB) June 28, 2013
Since its beginning in 1898, volunteers have played an integral role in the success of the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey. As the number of those aging at home continues to grow and their needs expand, the VNA is expanding volunteer programs designed to encourage young people to participate in caring for the elderly and infirm of the community.
Recognizing that families with young children enjoy volunteering together, and that community service is important for teens preparing for college and employment applications, the VNA has made many opportunities available to the young, including preparing materials for distribution to the homebound, in-office clerical work and the VNAs House Call Groceries for Seniors program.
House Call Groceries for Seniors provides assistance to elderly, homebound residents in Morris County who are unable to complete their own grocery shopping. The service is made possible to residents through grants received from the County of Morris Office on Aging and other private donations. Eligibility requirements may apply.
Once placed with a client, volunteers will visit the client’s home to collect the grocery shopping list, coupons and payment for the groceries and go to the local grocery store to shop. Once shopping is completed, volunteers deliver the groceries and assist in putting them away. Volunteers will make a difference in the life of a neighbor for whom shopping has become a difficult task and, in the process, provide companionship to a homebound senior.
Brian Pastor, Volunteer Coordinator, recently gave presentations to five health classes at area high schools. As a result, about 15 student volunteers from those schools can now be found at local supermarkets performing House Call Grocery for Seniors activities or at VNA headquarters learning about home care and assisting with clerical work.
Families and teens who would like to volunteer at the VNA, and educators in Morris County who would like to introduce students to the VNA should call Brian Pastor at (973) 451-4128 or visit http://www.vnannj.org and submit a contact form.
About the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey
Statistics show Americans would prefer to age in place at home. However, few are factoring the cost of home care into their retirement planning. Each day, the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey encounters seniors who need a helping hand to realize their best quality of life. Many with chronic but treatable medical conditions and routine symptoms of aging arent eligible for Medicare home care benets. Thats why its imperative for those who havent yet reached retirement age to plan ahead for individual needs. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey has devoted more than a century to delivering home health services to the residents of Morris County, NJ and neighboring communities who want to return home following hospitalization or need a helping hand to remain in the comfort of home despite illness, disability or advanced age. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey provides comprehensive home care services, including skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, hospice, certified home health aides, caregiver training and support and Friendship House, an adult day care center. The Private Care Services program offers certified home health aide assistance tailored to meet specific client needs, lifestyles and resource levels. Private care is available a few hours each week or on a full-time or live-in basis. For further information about VNA services and planning ahead for private care needs, call 1-800-WE-VISIT or go to http://www.vnannj.org.
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