New Jersey’s Toms River.Laura Piccirillo, Director of Health and Human Services and Municipal Alliance Coordinator for Toms River Township, talked about her journey from caregiver to advocate and administrator in a very intimate and in-depth interview with host Jeff Dings on Talking Toms River. She emphasized the township’s role in helping seniors and caregivers throughout the community.
Piccirillo described how her spouse, a 9/11 first responder, was diagnosed in 2004 and how this sparked her involvement. She claimed that the rescuers at the time had no assistance. Piccirillo started working at the township’s senior center after his death and eventually became its director.
Programs run by her department help seniors who are homebound, support caregivers, offer Medicare advice, and link clients to resources like house modifications, heating aid, and nutritional support. According to Piccirillo, people tend to forget about their caretakers. My role is to support the voiceless and assist in navigating the system.
Care and connection in the community
Residents 60 and over, as well as those receiving Social Security Disability, can receive services at the Toms River Senior Center, which is situated at 652 Garfield Avenue. According to Piccirillo, the center offers a variety of programs, such as fitness courses, health checks, educational activities, and intergenerational projects that involve high school kids from the neighborhood.
High school kids helped seniors during the center’s recent health and wellness expo, which attracted over 400 people and 65 merchants. According to Piccirillo, they were dancing with our seniors. It’s possible that some of our youngsters won’t see their grandparents, and some of our elderly might not see their grandkids. Their connection is lovely to watch.
The facility is more than just a place to socialize, she said. In addition to assisting vulnerable elders obtain resources and enhance their quality of life, it offers crucial outreach to isolated and suffering residents.
An experience-based quest
while she thought back on her personal experience of the township helping her while her husband was near death, Piccirillo attributed that moment to the community’s support. “I will always be thankful that we didn’t have to worry during my husband’s final year,” she remarked. I may now return the favor.
She also gave Mayor Dan Rodrick credit for putting her in a position that would allow her to have the most impact. She expressed her gratitude to the mayor for placing her in this role and that she was extremely honored to represent Toms River Township.
Seniors’ lifeline: more than just leisure
Beyond events and activities, Piccirillo’s office acts as a link between people and public services including food assistance, Medicaid, and Medicare, and connects seniors to vital resources. She assists residents in understanding complicated insurance options throughout open enrollment and all year long as a certified State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) consultant.
Her team also performs outreach in homes for people who are unable to visit the center, addressing problems ranging from elder neglect to hoarding. She described a scenario in which concerted township efforts resulted in the relocation of a 99-year-old veteran with dementia to a veterans home, saying, “We are boots on the ground.”
