The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has approved participation in a prescription drug discount program to benefit senior citizens and disabled residents. The annual registration fee is $20. The program is not a managed care program nor an insurance program. Membership gives access to approximately 55,000 chain and independent pharmacies.
There are no income limitations or exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and no exclusions for participating in other prescription programs. Participants must enroll in the program by completing a form that can be obtained by calling the Monmouth County Office on Aging at (877) 222-3737.
Eligible members will receive a personalized identification card which must be presented at pharmacies along with all prescriptions. (Discounts will be applied automatically.) Eligible members will receive discounts on both brand-name products and generic drugs, with savings from 10-50 percent.
Completed forms must be sent with the $20 membership fee to GSPO Provider Services Corp., 44 West Taylor Ave., Hamilton 08610.
VNA to offer hospice volunteer orientation
The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Hospice Program will offer an orientation session for individuals who would like to become hospice volunteers.
The orientation session will be held Aug. 27, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at VNA of Central Jersey, 1100 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls.
Participants in the course will learn how to approach the patient, family and friends with empathy, understanding and sensitivity. Subjects to be covered include the grief process, family dynamics, communication and listening, spirituality, medical aspects of the terminally ill, and pain management.
There is no charge for the orientation, but advance registration is required. To register or for more information, call Pauline DePalma, manager of volunteers, at (732) 224-6933.
‘Old Time Twilight Tomato Tasting’ Aug. 17
Gold Farms, an organic and heirloom farm, and Slow Food Central Jersey will hold an "Old Time Twilight Tomato Tasting Event" Aug. 17, 4-8 p.m. at Gold Farms, Roosevelt.
The event will include a tour of the farm; a talk from New Jersey food historian Judith Krall-Russo; an "Heirloom Tomato Tasting" with salads and/or appetizers; a cooking demonstration by Jim Weaver of Tre Piani restaurant of Princeton, president of Slow Food Central Jersey Chapter; a light pasta and tomato dinner with vegetables and fruits; music; exhibits and crafts. For the children, there will be tractor rides, tomato picking, mural painting and a scavenger hunt.
Registration is required. The cost is $12.50 in advance or $15 on the day of the event. The fee for children age 6 and up is $5. The price includes activities, food and soft drinks. Gold Farms is located at 10 Nurko Road. To register, call (609) 426-0435.