Seniors' lives top priority for Marlboro committee
BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

MARLBORO - Turning 60 years old does not mean you have to miss out on the fun things in life. Marlboro offers senior citizens many activities and services that make getting older a little bit easier.

One group that provides senior citizens with assistance and information is the mayor's Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.

The mission of the committee is to enhance the quality of life for seniors, resolve problems, disseminate information about the services available to seniors and to give back to the community. The group consists of about 12 senior citizens who live in Marlboro and includes Ed Wallace, chairman; Henry Mellette, vice chairman; Judith Heneley, secretary; and Stan Lynn, hospitality.

"There are many people in the community who are not aware of the opportunities that exist to help [them], so we want to go out there and do that," Wallace said. "The group has a tremendous amount of information available to the community at large from (avoiding) scams, to sickness, to fitness and wellness, and everything that a senior always wanted to know but was afraid to ask."

Some of the programs available to senior citizens in Marlboro include Meals on Wheels and the Senior Citizens Area Transportation (SCAT) program, which Wallace said is the best and furthest reaching transportation program for seniors in the state. He said the service is reasonably priced.

Also available is an electronic bracelet, sponsored by the community relations division in the Marlboro Police Department, that allows senior citizens to be found if they get lost.

The police department also offers a shut-in program for individuals who do not have someone to look in on them; police officers regularly check in on people who participate in the shut-in program.

The advisory committee provides senior citizens with a list of companies and repair people to use if repairs are needed around their home. Wallace said each company has been recommended by a senior citizen who was previously serviced by that company.

He added that the committee's goal is to expand that list to include volunteers from the community who will help fix things for seniors.

The group is also working to provide computer classes for seniors. Wallace said the classes would be provided at a fair cost; he said the Board of Education is interested in helping.

Committee members attend monthly meetings at the Monmouth County Office of Aging, Freehold. The county has a program which enables people who are sick to be in constant contact with friends and relatives through a computer. The program also provides senior citizens with a substantial list of health providers, Wallace said.

Marlboro's Golden Nugget catalogue offers senior citizens information about trips, health tests administered in the township, discussion groups, breakfast meetings, seminars and activities. The catalogue is mailed to about 1,400 residents who have participated in senior programs.

"It's a treasure trove of useful information," Wallace said.

Through the Marlboro Recreation Community Center, senior citizens have the opportunity to go on trips to Atlantic City, to Broadway shows in New York City, to museums and to Cape May.

Other recreation programs include a breakfast club in which the seniors discuss news events; seminars on current and historical topics, medical updates, Social Security and health updates and driver education programs; and fitness programs which include strength training, aerobics and total body conditioning.

"We feel very strongly about all of these programs," Wallace said. "We also feel that we have to expand our vistas to different areas in the community and make people involved in the senior community."

In addition to the advisory committee members, Wallace said the seniors have municipal employees who provide them with information about Marlboro events and recreation programs. Those individuals include Denise Barry, director of senior programs at the recreation center; Linda Sansone, assistant to the mayor; and Marlboro police Sgt. Paul Conover, the community affairs officer.

Regarding officials' interest in helping senior citizens live a better life, Wallace said, "We feel it's the best in the state. It's a great program and the town is to be lauded for it. It's a township that is interested in its residents of all age groups."

The committee members also feel strongly about giving back to a community that has provided them with so much support, Wallace said.

"We're not only thinking about ourselves, we're thinking about our community and we're looking for ways to give back," he said. "As long as we have the physical and mental strength, we will do whatever we can do to help the community at large."