NORTH BRUNSWICK — Francis Parker Memorial Home is one of four recipients of a $25,000 grant in the initial round of funding through the Innovations Fund, which seeks to catalyze innovation among nonprofit providers of aging services by funding programs that promise to have a demonstrable impact on residents, clients, families, employees or the broader community.
LeadingAge and NewCourtland announced the recipients of the first round of grants in a press release on Jan. 24. More than 125 applications were reviewed.
“Parker Day Club at Home” will provide a one-day-per-week, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. structured program on-site at each of the five Affordable Independent Senior Housing Apartments in Middlesex County. The programming will be modeled and managed by Parker Adult Day Center with joint development and support by Parker Center for Healthy Aging and the Piscataway, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, and Highland Park affordable independent senior housing buildings.
“During the last few years, over 50 seniors annually from the local affordable independent senior housing apartments have enrolled and been transported to the on-site Parker Adult Day Center,” said Natalie Macaro, Parker Adult Day Center program director. “Unfortunately, there are still upwards of a third of seniors in community housing apartments who could benefit from a day program, but are limited by health, mobility or cognitive impairments.”
“By providing activities and services in their home, the access is easier, therefore encouraging greater participation,” said Roberto Muniz, Parker Home president and chief executive officer. “Parker is thrilled to receive this honor from LeadingAge and [is] excited to provide much-needed services to the seniors in Central Jersey.”
“The approved grant will benefit our residents in so many ways,” added Debbie Marek, manager of the Martin Gerber Apartments in North Brunswick. “I am very excited to be working with Parker to bring ‘Parker Day Club at Home’ to our community.”