New Jerseyans who are at least 60 years old would be able to sign up to receive a weekly telephone call.
New Jersey seniors who just want someone to talk to would be able to sign up for a weekly telephone check-in under a new legislative proposal
Assembly member Carol Murphy last week introduced a bill to create a statewide telephone chat line for residents who are at least 60, run by the state Division of Aging Services.
“This has been a big issue for seniors, that they feel lonely and isolated,” Murphy, a Democrat from Burlington County, said in a phone interview. “Even those who are at home and get someone who comes in and takes care of them, the isolation is huge to a lot of them.”
Under the bill, NJ A5428 (24R), New Jerseyans who are at least 60 years old would be able to sign up with the division to receive a weekly telephone call. They’d fill out a form that would include questions about their interests and hobbies, and the best time to reach them.
The state would recruit volunteers who they would match with the seniors “based on similar interests and geographical location,” according to the legislation.
“Isolation is a huge problem. You don’t want to lose touch with your seniors, especially with those who … don’t get out much, and don’t have families around,” Murphy said.
The idea is not new. In fact, at least some New Jersey counties already fund similar programs. In Mercer County, the government has funded a nonprofit’s senior hotline since the 1970s.
Eleanor Letcher, executive director of Contact of Mercer County, said she has around 20 to 25 clients who receive volunteer calls daily. The program is funded by a $19,000 annual grant from Mercer County.
“I remember many years ago we had an elderly man who was part of the program. He was getting his daily call. We had a luncheon or some gathering of these people,” Letcher said. “He said to the whole group, ‘When I get my reassurance call in the morning, I know I’m still alive.’ And that just stuck with me all these years.”
Letcher said at one point she believes all counties had such programs, but not anymore. While several still do, she said she’s not sure how many. The AARP also offers a “Friendly Voices” hotline for seniors.
Part of the program is just to help seniors make human connections, but Letcher said it also serves a practical and sometimes life-saving purpose. When volunteers don’t successfully connect to their clients at the assigned time, her organization attempts to contact family or neighbors they have on file. If all else fails, they call the police for a wellness check.
“Over the years, we have saved lives. One person fell out of bed, did not answer the phone call, and was on the floor when the police came to check on her,” Letcher said.
While New Jersey offers no statewide chat line for seniors, Eva Loayza-Mcbride, a spokesperson for the Department of Human Services, said it has many programs aimed at reducing social isolation for seniors and the disabled.
“For instance, through the Division of Aging and the county Area Agencies on Aging [AAAs], we provide funding for personal care assistance, transportation, respite services, communication devices, assistive technology, and social and recreational opportunities,” she said, noting the department in 2023 published a report on social isolation and loneliness.
Matt Friedman, Politico New Jersey
New Jerseyans who are at least 60 years old would be able to sign up to receive a weekly telephone call.
New Jersey seniors who just want someone to talk to would be able to sign up for a weekly telephone check-in under a new legislative proposal
Assembly member Carol Murphy last week introduced a bill to create a statewide telephone chat line for residents who are at least 60, run by the state Division of Aging Services.
“This has been a big issue for seniors, that they feel lonely and isolated,” Murphy, a Democrat from Burlington County, said in a phone interview. “Even those who are at home and get someone who comes in and takes care of them, the isolation is huge to a lot of them.”
Under the bill, NJ A5428 (24R), New Jerseyans who are at least 60 years old would be able to sign up with the division to receive a weekly telephone call. They’d fill out a form that would include questions about their interests and hobbies, and the best time to reach them.
The state would recruit volunteers who they would match with the seniors “based on similar interests and geographical location,” according to the legislation.
“Isolation is a huge problem. You don’t want to lose touch with your seniors, especially with those who … don’t get out much, and don’t have families around,” Murphy said.
The idea is not new. In fact, at least some New Jersey counties already fund similar programs. In Mercer County, the government has funded a nonprofit’s senior hotline since the 1970s.
Eleanor Letcher, executive director of Contact of Mercer County, said she has around 20 to 25 clients who receive volunteer calls daily. The program is funded by a $19,000 annual grant from Mercer County.
“I remember many years ago we had an elderly man who was part of the program. He was getting his daily call. We had a luncheon or some gathering of these people,” Letcher said. “He said to the whole group, ‘When I get my reassurance call in the morning, I know I’m still alive.’ And that just stuck with me all these years.”
Letcher said at one point she believes all counties had such programs, but not anymore. While several still do, she said she’s not sure how many. The AARP also offers a “Friendly Voices” hotline for seniors.
Part of the program is just to help seniors make human connections, but Letcher said it also serves a practical and sometimes life-saving purpose. When volunteers don’t successfully connect to their clients at the assigned time, her organization attempts to contact family or neighbors they have on file. If all else fails, they call the police for a wellness check.
“Over the years, we have saved lives. One person fell out of bed, did not answer the phone call, and was on the floor when the police came to check on her,” Letcher said.
While New Jersey offers no statewide chat line for seniors, Eva Loayza-Mcbride, a spokesperson for the Department of Human Services, said it has many programs aimed at reducing social isolation for seniors and the disabled.
“For instance, through the Division of Aging and the county Area Agencies on Aging [AAAs], we provide funding for personal care assistance, transportation, respite services, communication devices, assistive technology, and social and recreational opportunities,” she said, noting the department in 2023 published a report on social isolation and loneliness.
Matt Friedman, Politico New Jersey
