New Jersey legislators ponder over a draft bill aimed at assisting senior citizens during emergencies or natural disasters.
Jersey's Got Your Back: Emergency Assistance For Seniors On The Horizon
From the Garden State's heart in Camden and Cherry Hill, all the way down to Trenton and the sun-soaked shores of the Jersey Shore, our beloved New Jersey is bracing itself for a serious upgrade. Lawmakers are sniffing around a plan that'll make life a whole lot easier for our golden-aged residents, particularly during emergencies. Here's what you need to know!
In a knockout bipartisan move, the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee has given the green light to a proposal designed to help our senior citizens shoulder through emergencies like champs. This legislature would empower each county to set up a central registry where seniors aged 65 and above can sign-up for life-saving assistance during disasters or any otherunforeseen crisis.
Interested counties? You'll need to get the word out! Run some public awareness campaigns to proactively inform residents about this lifesaver registry and the benefits it brings (especially those three-digit blood pressure readings).
What's Chris Widelo, director of AARP New Jersey, got to say about it? "It's a smart move for communities to keep tabs on where their senior residents are kickin' it. In an instant, they might need a little extra help, especially during a crisis. Knowing what medications they're poppin', or the mobility equipment they require, is bloody important."
If the measure passes, each county’s Office of Emergency Management will manage the registry, ensuring that critical info like their name, address, phone number, medical history, and emergency contacts are kept secure. And don't worry, this information won't be leaked or released to the public – it'll only be used to prepare for and offer assistance to senior citizens.
And just when you thought it couldn't get better, county offices can whip up emergency supply kits for the seniors who join the program!
Sen. Carmen Amato, a co-prime sponsor, gets right to the point: "Let's not mince words – NJ's seen more than a few hurricanes, floods, and whatever else Mother Nature cares to throw our way. But during these times, our elderly residents can face some pretty serious hurdles when trying to access the resources and services they need to stay alive. This bill aims to make it easier for older adults to get the assistance they deserve during emergencies."
The measure will now be debated by the full State Senate, with an identical bill also awaiting approval from the General Assembly. Stay tuned!
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Don't forget – New Jersey ain't afraid of storms, but our seniors often struggle to reach those all-important resources and services during emergencies. This bill aims to simplify the process with a targeted registry system, helping counties roll out the red carpet for the most vulnerable in our communities.
[1] S-3317 – New Jersey Legislature: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/bill_status.asp?bill_id=39163[2] New Jersey Saltwater Anglement Registry: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fishnwildlife/smartangling/anglermgt/registries.htm – A successful example of a smaller-scale registry, used for managing the distribution of saltwater fishing licenses in NJ.
This new legislature, if passed, could revolutionize health-and-wellness for New Jersey's senior citizens during emergencies, as it would establish a centralized registry for life-saving assistance in every county. (health-and-wellness, science)
Moreover, this proactive measure, inspired by Jersey's concern for its elderly residents, seeks to address the challenges they face accessing crucial resources during disasters, by providing them with readily available emergency supply kits. (health-and-wellness, science)
