Parker Extends Service Agreement with City to Continue Supporting New Brunswick Seniors
Successful tablet loaner program and Dial-A-Ride upgrades spur agreement extension
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (April 7, 2022) – Parker Health Group, Inc. will extend its agreement with the City of New Brunswick to provide grant funding for the continuation of two vital programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life for City seniors.
The Virtual Vitality program, which furnishes Senior Citizens with Joy tablet computers and the training necessary to use them, will continue into 2023. Launched in March of 2021, this program has proven successful in keeping seniors engaged, connected and active. The tablets have proven their value during the ongoing pandemic as a means to provide seniors with access to telehealth services, connection to programming at the senior center, and news and information regarding coronavirus testing and vaccine opportunities.
The new agreement aims to increase the number of enrolled seniors with over 100 new tablets available for loan to seniors. Seniors who are interested in obtaining a loaner tablet are encouraged to contact the New Brunswick Senior Resource Center.
Thanks in part to the original agreement, The City’s Dial-A-Ride program successfully resumed in 2021. This extension means the Dial-A-Ride services, which are primarily used for medical appointments and social service visits will continue. Funding from the
previous agreement was used to purchase a new multi-passenger shuttle bus and to ensure it was equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) to enhance rider safety.
“This successful partnership with Parker Health Group, Inc. has had a tremendous positive impact on our City’s senior population,” commented New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill. “It has helped our seniors in navigating these challenging times by keeping them informed and mobile while helping them maintain their independence.”
Roberto Muñiz, Parker’s President and CEO shared similar sentiment, “We are very pleased to be working with Mayor Cahill and the City of New Brunswick to continue providing essential programs and supports for more seniors in the local community. Having access to virtual programming to help combat social isolation and being able to provide transportation to key medical appointments has been invaluable for improving the quality of life for the City’s seniors in these challenging times,” he said.
“We are ecstatic about the extension agreement with Parker,” adds Melanie Ford, Director, Social Services and the New Brunswick Senior Citizen Resource Center. “Quality transportation services will continue to be available through Dial-A-Ride, to our New Brunswick residents and we’re combatting social isolation as New Brunswick Senior Citizen Resource Center members are staying connected to family and friends and are even able to make telehealth appointments through the usage of their Joy Tablets. It doesn’t get any better than that!”