MERCER COUNTY, NJ – With thousands of New Jersey senior citizens experiencing isolation as they live alone, CONTACT of Mercer County is working to create a line of communication for them through their Reassurance Program.
Tony Ciavolella, Executive Director of CONTACT, says the program is critical now more than ever, with many senior citizens experiencing loneliness, particularly as social isolation is on the rise.
A national study released in February 2026 by Choice Mutual found that 24% of New Jersey seniors living alone — nearly 38,000 people — went the entire month of January without anyone checking in on them.
CONTACT is looking to make sure that Mercer County seniors do not experience this lack of connection of interaction. Through the Reassurance Program, which is partially funded by Mercer County, senior citizens over the age of 60 who live alone can opt to receive a daily check-in call – at a pre-set time – from a volunteer.
“Senior citizens who need to talk are paired with a CONTACT volunteer who checks on them every day. Oftentimes, these calls serve as a wellness check,” Ciavolella told TAPinto East Windsor/Hightstown.
These calls are often simple chats about how the senior’s day went; what is on their mind; or just connecting on a personal level. Sometimes, it may be the only telephone call the senior gets in a day.
The Reassurance Program is supported thanks to the work of 15 to 20 volunteers with CONTACT who make the daily calls. They are paired with the seniors in hopes of making a personal connection and making a difference.
When a volunteer calls the senior in the program and does not connect with them at the predetermined time, they are able to contact an emergency contact – who is provided by the participant – who can also check in. If there is still no contact with the senior citizen, the emergency contact can opt to call local police or fire department personnel to conduct a wellness check.
Ciavolella says that this Reassurance Program has helped save lives in the past when participants were found to need assistance after falling or experiencing a medical emergency. The call from the Program volunteers had raised concerns, leading to that senior getting the help they needed.
To participate in the program, Mercer County residents over the age of 62 who live alone can call CONTACT at 609.737.2000 to sign up. Individuals who are interested in participating in the Reassurance program as a volunteer connection with seniors also can call CONTACT at the same number.
Elizabeth A. Meyers, TAPinto, East Windsor/Highstown
Source: https://www.nj.com/healthfit/2024/09/theyre-lonely-and-afraid-in-nj-can-this-old-school-service-help.html
MERCER COUNTY, NJ – With thousands of New Jersey senior citizens experiencing isolation as they live alone, CONTACT of Mercer County is working to create a line of communication for them through their Reassurance Program.
Tony Ciavolella, Executive Director of CONTACT, says the program is critical now more than ever, with many senior citizens experiencing loneliness, particularly as social isolation is on the rise.
A national study released in February 2026 by Choice Mutual found that 24% of New Jersey seniors living alone — nearly 38,000 people — went the entire month of January without anyone checking in on them.
CONTACT is looking to make sure that Mercer County seniors do not experience this lack of connection of interaction. Through the Reassurance Program, which is partially funded by Mercer County, senior citizens over the age of 60 who live alone can opt to receive a daily check-in call – at a pre-set time – from a volunteer.
“Senior citizens who need to talk are paired with a CONTACT volunteer who checks on them every day. Oftentimes, these calls serve as a wellness check,” Ciavolella told TAPinto East Windsor/Hightstown.
These calls are often simple chats about how the senior’s day went; what is on their mind; or just connecting on a personal level. Sometimes, it may be the only telephone call the senior gets in a day.
The Reassurance Program is supported thanks to the work of 15 to 20 volunteers with CONTACT who make the daily calls. They are paired with the seniors in hopes of making a personal connection and making a difference.
When a volunteer calls the senior in the program and does not connect with them at the predetermined time, they are able to contact an emergency contact – who is provided by the participant – who can also check in. If there is still no contact with the senior citizen, the emergency contact can opt to call local police or fire department personnel to conduct a wellness check.
Ciavolella says that this Reassurance Program has helped save lives in the past when participants were found to need assistance after falling or experiencing a medical emergency. The call from the Program volunteers had raised concerns, leading to that senior getting the help they needed.
To participate in the program, Mercer County residents over the age of 62 who live alone can call CONTACT at 609.737.2000 to sign up. Individuals who are interested in participating in the Reassurance program as a volunteer connection with seniors also can call CONTACT at the same number.
Elizabeth A. Meyers, TAPinto, East Windsor/Highstown
Source: https://www.nj.com/healthfit/2024/09/theyre-lonely-and-afraid-in-nj-can-this-old-school-service-help.html
