M.A.S.H. Unit of a different kind provides services to Ocean County senior citizens

While it would be great to see the characters reprise their roles for our entertainment, the kind of M.A.S.H. Unit riding around Ocean County these days does not include them but still helps provide much needed information for senior citizens in the community.

The M.A.S.H. program in Ocean County stands for Mobile Assistance for Seniors at Home and it's something the Freeholders are providing for seniors, including many who can't or don't feel comfortable leaving home during the pandemic.

"We have over 91 large senior communities ranging from 800 people to well over 2,500 people," Ocean County Freeholder Director Joe Vicari tells 92.7 WOBM News. "We're going to go to these communities on a rotating basis."

The M.A.S.H. Unit in Ocean County will bring the full compliment of the office of Senior Services to seniors living in these communities throughout the year and have people on site to help answer questions and provide guidance on property taxes, the homestead rebate program, understanding health insurance including Medicaid/Medicare, how to get signed-up for the home delivered meals program as well as protecting themselves from fraud.

"We have trained personnel that know a great deal about senior services and as our senior population gets older, it now goes up to 108-years old, they don't have the mobility to go any place else so we will take these services to them," Vicari said. "It's something that I think is going to work out very well."

This program will continue long after Covid is gone, explains Vicari, but in the meantime and for the future they will be taking the proper precautions while providing these services to ensure everyone is healthy and safe.

"We have to change with the times, these are very difficult times and we're going to have to practice social distancing and wear masks and everything else to make sure we protect our senior citizens against getting Covid-19," Vicari said.

Regardless of the pandemic going on, there's been a continued need to provide additional assistance to seniors in Ocean County and this M.A.S.H. Unit helps in that effort.

"We want to make sure we protect our greatest generation of people as well, they went through World War II and the Depression and everything else and if there's a need, we will address those needs and do whatever is necessary to make sure they live a very comforting life," Vicari said.

While setting up tables and tents works for now, it's getting colder outside and as it does Vicari explains that they're working on getting a bus to provide these M.A.S.H. services in the colder months as well.

You can get in touch with the Ocean County Office of Senior Services anytime at 732-929-2091.

You can follow Vin Ebenau on Twitter and Instagram and email news tips to vin.ebenau@townsquaremedia.com.

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