Parker Health Group Expands Aging Services with Acquisition of Senior Care Options, Inc.

 

 

PISCATAWAY, NJ – September 5, 2024 – Parker Health Group, a leading provider of aging services, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Senior Care Options, Inc., an organization specializing in geriatric care management, counseling, and therapy services. This strategic move reflects Parker’s commitment to delivering comprehensive, person-centered care and enhancing the quality of life for older adults across New Jersey.

With this acquisition, Parker will integrate Senior Care Options’ expertise in personalized care management, guidance, and support as well as counseling and therapy services into its already expansive spectrum of services and supports for seniors and their families.

Founded in 1996 and based in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, Senior Care Options has built a strong reputation for helping seniors and their families navigate the challenges of aging as well as the often-daunting process of finding and accessing appropriate care to meet their needs. Their experienced care managers and licensed therapists offer support tailored to each client’s unique needs. With a focus on personalized care and support, Senior Care Options has been a trusted service provider in New Jersey for over 27 years.

“Bringing the expertise of the Senior Care Options team into Parker is a natural extension of our mission to improve and enrich the lives of older adults,” said Roberto Muñiz, the President and CEO of Parker Health Group. “Their comprehensive approach to addressing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of seniors, as well as their dedication to high-quality compassionate care, is a perfect fit and aligns well with our mission. We are excited to welcome the Senior Care Options team to the Parker family.”

Lisa Curtis, the Founder and CEO of Senior Care Options, Inc., also shared her enthusiasm. “Parker’s reputation for delivering exceptional care is very well known,” said Curtis. “I couldn’t be more pleased to be transitioning my company and team to an organization that makes such an incredible difference in the lives of seniors and their families. I can’t wait to see the positive impact Parker will make for the communities we serve.”

The integration of Senior Care Options into Parker’s operations will maintain continuity of care and relationships for their existing clients, families, and partners while expanding service offerings for Parker’s residents, patients, and the community. The combined expertise of both organizations – operating under the new name Senior Care Options by Parker – will enable Parker to provide a more holistic approach to aging services that addresses the diverse needs of the aging population, through every stage of a senior’s care journey.

Founded in 1907 in New Brunswick, Parker has five senior living communities throughout Central New Jersey offering skilled nursing, memory care, assisted living, and post-acute rehabilitation. In recent years, Parker has greatly expanded to provide an array of home and community-based services, including adult day centers, health and wellness programs, child development centers, help with navigating senior services, and both outpatient and in-home rehabilitation services. In partnership with VNA Health Group, Parker Health Group also offers in-home palliative care and visiting physician services through the Parker Advanced Care Institute. Most recently, Parker provided a gift to Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to form the new Parker Health Group Division of Geriatrics in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. The vision for the division is to improve health and quality of life for seniors through innovation in patient-centered care, education, and research.

For more information about Parker’s continuum of care and services, please call 732-902-4200 or visit parkerlife.org. To contact Senior Care Options by Parker, please call 732-872-8882, or visit seniorcareoptionsinc.com.

 

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About Parker Health Group, Inc.

Parker Health Group, Inc. is a not-for-profit, New Jersey-based aging services organization with 115 years of experience that is committed to empowering older Americans. We are a diverse community of over 1,000 dedicated and passionate employees, caregivers, volunteers, thought leaders, researchers, educators, and partners. Our award-winning standards and approaches have made us a pioneer of inclusive aging services and long-term care residences, and a national thought leader on the conversation around aging in America. Founded in 1907, Parker has been challenging, changing, and expanding the idea of what it means to grow older in America, and how all of us can make aging part of life. For more information, visit parkerlife.org.

 

A Century of Memories: Parker at Monroe Resident Joe Hertling Celebrates 101st Birthday at Mets Game

It was no ordinary Wednesday at Parker at Monroe, as resident Joe Hertling celebrated a remarkable milestone—his upcoming 101st birthday. A lifelong fan of the New York Mets, Joe’s special day was made even more unforgettable with a trip to Queens, NY, to watch his beloved team play.

The mission was clear: Joe deserved to celebrate his centennial-plus-one birthday at a Mets game. After reaching out to the Mets organization, the response was nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did Joe get to watch the game, but he was also honored on the field as a veteran of the game and celebrated as a revered Navy veteran who served during World War II.

Accompanied by his family, Joe was brought onto the field, where he was presented with a United States flag by Mets pitcher Luis Severino. The crowd erupted in applause as his story was shared on the Jumbotron, complete with photos of him while in the service. It was a moment that brought together past and present, honoring not just a century of life but also Joe’s sacrifices and contributions to his country.

Joe soaked in every moment of the day, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and energy of the baseball team he had loved for decades. Back at Parker at Monroe, there had been an ongoing joke that everyone would want Joe’s autograph. “As long as it wasn’t on a blank check,” Joe quipped with a laugh, showing his trademark sense of humor.

Joe’s family was deeply touched by the effort that the team at Parker at Monroe put into making the day so special. “We couldn’t be happier,” shared Joe’s son, Ray. “When Dad left the field after being honored, people shouted his name—’ Joe! Joe! Joe!’—thanking him for his service, shaking his hand, and continuing to applaud.”

It was a day filled with joy and nostalgia, perfectly capturing the essence of more than a century well-lived.

 

Parker Celebrates the Wellness Benefits of Horticulture Therapy

To cap off this week’s celebration of our Horticulture team, we wanted to highlight the work of Lee Shahay, who will be retiring in August after 17 years of service. Her work to bring horticulture therapy to Parker has made a tremendous impact on our residents by fostering the mutually beneficial relationship between plants and people.

Lee received her professional education from the New York Botanical Gardens, where she took classes in Botany, Floral Design, and General Gardening. Before transitioning to Parker full-time, Lee worked for the Somerset County Park Commission in their Therapeutic Recreation department.

Lee Shahay has provided gardening programs and horticulture therapy for Parker’s residents for 17 years.

Over the years, Lee has created hundreds of unique programs to help our residents become closer to nature and experience the fulfillment that comes with tending a garden. One career highlight has been the certification of several Parker properties as official Monarch Butterfly Gardens. It was important for Lee to put residents right in the middle of the process. They took part in planting plants, learning about monarch butterfly life cycles, and even harvesting eggs when the time came. Everyone involved is proud of helping thousands of monarch butterflies have a better chance of survival.

For Lee, one powerful memory of her time at Parker is back in 2020 when she used gardening and horticulture therapy to help reduce isolation and create community during the first waves of COVID-19. She created a series of outdoor programs where residents, straight from their balconies, participated in educational and entertaining activities while maintaining social distancing. She also put together cart programs in which she went door-to-door to have individual experiences and education with residents, and keeping residents connected. She even created a “victory garden” as an optimistic and patriotic community project during a difficult time.

When speaking about horticulture therapy, Lee pointed out that plants and people often need the same sorts of things to survive. This perspective of finding similarities between ourselves and the world around us is something everyone can benefit from. We thank Lee for the joy she has brought to all of us throughout her many years of service, for sharing her passion and knowledge, and for making a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone we serve at Parker.

 

Parker Announces the Appointment of New Trustees

 

 

PISCATAWAY, NJ – January 11, 2024 – Parker Health Group announces that Denise Boudreau, Diane Hill, and Joe Velderman have all been appointed to the Parker Board of Trustees, and have recently begun serving their initial three-year terms. The governance structure of Parker’s 17-member board provides strategic direction to the organization as well as fiduciary oversight of its operations.

These three individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise across different sectors to Parker’s Board of Trustees.

Denise Boudreau is the Founder and President of Drive, a culture consultancy firm that optimizes recruitment and retention for healthcare and senior living organizations. She has over 20 years of experience working in acute care and aging services. Working as a dietary aide, CNA, and an Administrator, she experienced many health and unhealthy cultures. Boudreau also founded the non-profit New Jersey Alliance for Culture Change. Among the many boards she has served, she chairs the Marketing Committee for the National Long Term Care Administrators’ Board (NAB) and formerly served as an Executive in Residence at Cornell University, her alma mater.

Diane Hill, Ph.D., Assistant Chancellor for University-Community Partnerships at Rutgers University-Newark, boasts over 30 years of leadership experience. As head of the Office of University-Community Partnerships, she fosters strategic collaborations connecting students, faculty, and staff with communities. For over a decade, Dr. Hill served as the Co-Director for African American Alzheimer’s Brain Health Initiative, which promoted research, memory health, and a better understanding of Alzheimer’s among minority and economically disadvantaged seniors. She continued her work with the aging population, having created the “Advocates for Health Living Initiative (AHLI), that focuses on senior health care in Newark and Greater-Newark.

Dr. Hill pioneered a community engagement and research model focusing on urban, underserved, and minority populations. A faculty member at the School of Public Affairs and Administration, she also contributes to the Rutgers Institute for Global Health.

Joe Velderman is the Vice President of Innovation at Cypress Living, a not-for-profit aging services provider located in Florida. He is a seasoned technologist and innovator specializing in senior living, post-acute healthcare, and home- and community-based services. With a wealth of experience, he has assumed the role of virtual Chief Information Officer for various organizations, steering them through pivotal phases such as enterprise software implementations, infrastructure enhancements, and governance establishment.

“Having diversity of thought and experience is something we place high value upon when inviting new trustees to Parker’s board,” said Dr. Marguerite K. Schlag, EdD, RN, Chair of Parker Health Group’s Board of Trustees. “We are delighted to have such accomplished individuals sharing their talents with us.”

“We’re excited to have three outstanding leaders in the healthcare sector joining Parker’s board to support our strategic initiatives, and to help expand our programs to serve more older adults in New Jersey,” said Roberto Muñiz, Parker’s President and CEO. “We’re all looking forward to their contributions, as well as the expertise and unique perspectives they each bring to the table.”

 

 

A Generous Gift for the Future of Aging from Parker Health Group to Rutgers

 

 

Parker Health Group Gives $18.8 Million to Establish Geriatrics Division at Rutgers University’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

 

Piscataway, N.J., Monday, July 17, 2023 — America’s population above the age of 65 is forecast to expand dramatically over the next three decades. Predictions are that this demographic will almost double from 46 million to 90 million by 2050. The number of often hard-to-fill openings in the health care field caring for seniors is expected to grow exponentially as well.

To help meet these growing needs, a gift of $18.8 million was announced today from Parker Health Group—a Piscataway, New Jersey-based leader in aging services—to the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. This gift will create the Parker Health Group Division of Geriatrics in the medical school’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, which will focus on improving care for seniors through applied research, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“I am confident that by partnering together, Parker Health Group and Rutgers University can make monumental strides in the field of geriatrics that will provide generations of seniors in New Jersey and beyond with enhanced support,” says Roberto Muñiz, a Rutgers alumnus who has been president and CEO of Parker Health Group for nearly 25 years. “When I joined Parker, I had a vision for strengthening our connection with the university. It is incredible to witness this new partnership come to life.”

Muñiz, who is also an adjunct faculty member at the medical school and a senior health fellow and instructor at Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Planning and Public Policy, says the collaboration will aim to connect with Rutgers programs in nursing, social work, pharmacy, and psychiatry.

“Our goal is to support seniors to live their best lives by working toward a seamless network of high-quality, innovative, and valued geriatric services and supports,” Muñiz says. “The Division’s focus on multidisciplinary research collaborations and building relationships within the local communities that Parker and Rutgers both serve will be a key component for informing this critically needed work.”

Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway praised Parker Health Group’s support. “This generous gift will benefit vast numbers of families who face the challenges that come with aging,” Holloway says. “Anyone who has witnessed their loved ones grow older understands the difficulties that can arise. This partnership with Parker Health Group, which serves many people right in our back yard through their residential and home and community-based programs, is a great example of a collaboration to address societal challenges and improve the lives of people in New Jersey. It’s gratifying to know that this gift will help our students go on to fulfilling careers caring for seniors.”

Founded in 1907 in New Brunswick, Parker Health Group is a not-for-profit organization serving nearly 6,000 seniors and their families each year. Known for their excellence in residential services, Parker Health Group has expanded in recent years to provide an array of home and community-based services including help navigating senior services, adult day centers, health and wellness programs, and in-home physical therapy services. In partnership with VNA Health Group, Parker Health Group also offers in-home visiting physician services through the Parker Advanced Care Institute.

“I’m delighted that Parker Health Group, which has 116 years of excellent service to seniors in New Jersey, and Rutgers, which has even longer history as the state university of New Jersey, are bringing the expertise and knowledge of each institution together to ensure seniors are well-cared for long into the future,” says Dr. Marguerite K. Schlag, chair of Parker Health Group’s Board of Trustees.

A key element of the new division is increased funding for the medical school’s Geriatric Fellowship Program. This 12-month program is designed to provide family medicine and internal medicine residency graduates with the unique clinical skills, knowledge, and experience necessary for delivering high-quality care to the growing geriatric population. Enrolled fellows of this program will conduct research and provide education to local aging service providers, including Parker Health Group.

“The long-term impacts of this partnership will be significant,” says Dr. Amy P. Murtha, dean of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “We fully anticipate that this program will continue for many years. In the short term, the work of the fellows will successfully advance patient care and knowledge within the specialty as a direct result of Parker Health Group’s generous support.”

Dr. Alfred F. Tallia, professor and chair of the medical school’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, says he is excited for the department to be home of the Parker Health Group Division of Geriatrics. “The forecasts for the tremendous growth in the need for geriatrics research and care are extensive,” Tallia says. “This gift will greatly enhance our efforts to help meet that need and support our medical students, residents, and fellows, in establishing meaningful, fulfilling careers.”

 

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About Parker Health Group, Inc.

Parker Health Group, Inc. is a not-for-profit, New Jersey-based aging services organization with 115 years of experience that is committed to empowering older Americans. We are a diverse community of over 1,000 dedicated and passionate employees, caregivers, volunteers, thought leaders, researchers, educators, and partners. Our award-winning standards and approaches have made us a pioneer of inclusive aging services and long-term care residences, and a national thought leader on the conversation around aging in America. Founded in 1907, Parker has been challenging, changing, and expanding the idea of what it means to grow older in America, and how all of us can make aging part of life. For more information, visit parkerlife.org.

 

About Rutgers and the Rutgers University Foundation

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Established in 1766, the university is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United States. More than 67,000 students and 22,000 faculty and staff learn, work, and serve the public at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rutgers University-Newark, Rutgers University-Camden, and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. For more, visit Rutgers.edu.

Rutgers University Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization whose sole purpose is to advance the mission of Rutgers through meaningful engagement and fundraising. For more, visit support.rutgers.edu.

 

Parker Health Group Wins 2022 McKnight’s Tech Awards in Skilled Nursing

Parker receives industry accolades for deploying innovative hand hygiene technology, resulting in improved satisfaction, experience, and safety for residents and patients. on 10/5/2022

PISCATAWAY, NJ – October 5, 2022 – Parker Health Group is the Gold recipient of McKnight’s Tech Awards for Skilled Nursing in the Quality category. The McKnight’s Tech Award recognizes how technology is used to improve the lives of older adults and those who care for them.

Parker Health Group is a non-profit organization based in Central New Jersey that specializes in aging services and long-term care with over 100 years’ experience.

Long-term care residents often have a higher risk of infection due to health issues and a variety of treatment factors that can leave them more vulnerable. According to the World Health Organization, hand hygiene is the most important and effective protocol to control the spread of organisms which can lead to life-threatening infections.

To proactively address this concern, Parker’s clinical care team set the objective of deploying an organization-wide hand hygiene solution to achieve sustainable positive change in caregiver hand hygiene resulting in the reduction of healthcare acquired infections, enhanced patient quality of life, and an improvement in safety for residents and staff.

BioVigil is a wearable electronic badge that uses location-based sensors to monitor hand hygiene compliance. The device provides a colored visual indicator to gently remind healthcare workers when it is time to sanitize their hands as they move between patients, rooms, or other areas of their work environment.

BioVigil’s Hand Hygiene Solution was deployed across Parker’s five communities in early 2021. BioVigil technology supports Parker’s compliance and infection control efforts by monitoring hand hygiene opportunities, intervening and educating care partners at the point of care, and influencing behavior to improve and sustain hand hygiene performance.

Parker Health Group was chosen as the Gold winner for achieving overall hand-hygiene compliance at or above 95%, staff time savings and efficiency versus direct observation, and positive feedback from care partners and family members for commitment to safety and quality for the last 17 months.

“I am very proud of our organization for this achievement,” shared Carolyn Bachonski, Parker’s Chief Clinical Officer. “BioVigil’s technology has made a significant impact on reducing in-house acquired infections thanks to the increase in compliance with hand hygiene opportunities by the staff.”

Sanjay Gupta, BioVigil President and CEO, is pleased Parker won the Gold award: “Parker Health Group is deserving, not only because they over-achieved their outcomes, but also their overall commitment to resident and staff safety. Rather than focusing solely on compliance, the team set a high bar in creating a culture of safety by focusing on engaging and educating, and communicating the value of hand hygiene to residents and staff.”

Parker will be honored at an in-person event for the McKnight Awards on October 17 in Denver, Colorado.

Media Contact
Lee Dorry
Parker Health Group, Inc.
732-565-2425
ldorry@parkerlife.org

A Parker Fitness Instructor By Day; Professional Bodybuilder By Night

Erika Relova Shares Her Passion for Bodybuilding with Seniors

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ – April 14, 2022 – Parker’s elders are quick to notice when Erika Relova drops a few pounds. Out of an almost parental concern, they will ask if she feels well, or if she has been eating right.

That is when the fitness instructor talks about being a professional bodybuilder who is – as they say in the language of the sport – getting “stage lean.”

“The elders are always so thoughtful to check on me,” Relova said. “As a bodybuilder, you prepare for competition by getting leaner. I will show them some photos, and when they see me on stage with all of my muscles, they are pretty shocked. They say, ‘That’s you? That’s not you. You’re so tiny!’”

As a fitness instructor at the Health & Wellness Center on Parker’s Highland Park campus, Relova guides elders and community members around the gym, offering them expert advice and plenty of encouragement.

She also leads popular aerobic workouts via Zoom or Webex.

“Working at Parker is fun and exciting because it incorporates everything I love – serving elders and my passion for fitness and being active,” she said.  “Being physically fit and sharing my love for fitness are some of the many reasons why I enjoy my job.”

She says the ultra-competitive world of bodybuilding requires superhuman discipline and grueling gym regimens done in the wee hours of the morning, far away from the bright lights of the competition stage or her day-to-day responsibilities at Parker.

There’s a long trail of blood, sweat, and powder drinks on the journey to developing bulging biceps and awesome abs.

But for Relova and the thousands of other men and women, professionals and amateurs alike, who have heeded the call to sculpt their bodies and master the subtle nuances of posing, the thrill of impressing the judges and leaving the arena with a first-place trophy makes every last minute on the Stairmaster worth it.

“You do it because in the end, you can actually see the product of your hard work,” she said. “Just knowing this is something that you created and being so proud of what you’ve done for yourself, it’s really an amazing feeling.”

But it’s not easy; among the many sacrifices required to be successful is time.

When Relova is preparing for competition, her workouts comprise 45 minutes of cardio work, an hour of strength training, then another 30 minutes of cardio, each and every day.

Because careful nutrition is such a vital component of getting and maintaining a chiseled physique, Relova must set aside plenty of time to prep all her meals, usually the day before.

“I’ll do that day after day when I’m gearing up for a competition,” she said. “Sometimes, you just can’t make get-togethers with your friends and family.”

Relova’s fitness journey mirrors her time at Parker, beginning in 2013. She began to eat a little healthier and do some at-home workouts. She then joined a gym. Her life changed when she saw a video of bodybuilders on Instagram.

“I said to myself, ‘Wow, I want to do that’,” Relova recalls.

She ramped up her workouts, got the coaches she would need, and received some encouragement from her then-boyfriend, who told her on their first date, “You should definitely compete because you would be great.”

Relova placed first in her two categories in her first competition in August 2015, then duplicated the feat two weeks later. Only two years later in July 2017, she attained pro status, enabling her to step up to a higher class of competition.

Only two things have slowed her ascension to perfection — the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down many competitive sports, and planning for her upcoming wedding in October.

While she’s still getting comfortable after recently buying a new home in South Plainfield and planning for her big day, her work at Parker is as busy and fulfilling as ever.

“It is an exhausting lifestyle, but I am enjoying every minute of it,” Relova said. “I couldn’t be luckier!”

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!”

Parker Extends Service Agreement with City to Continue Supporting New Brunswick Seniors

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!”

For Further Information Contact:
Bert Baron, Public Information Officer
732-745-5004
bbaron@cityofnewbrunswick.org

Media Contact
Lee Dorry
Parker Health Group, Inc.
732-565-2425
ldorry@parkerlife.org

A Successful COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout for Parker Elder Care Communities

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ – Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was a great way for us to begin 2021 at Parker. I am grateful that the state recognized the dire need that long-term care organizations have for the vaccine, and that we have been among the first in the state to receive it. We have carefully monitored information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which indicated that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh any of the limited risks. I believe there are several key elements that made our first round of the vaccine such a success.

Knowing that the vaccine would be released in December, we had been preparing for all our residents and employees to promptly receive it. In anticipation, we developed a goal of ensuring that 100% of our residents would receive the vaccine as rapidly as it became available. I am proud to report that we came very close to our goal, as Parker residents and staff received the first dose between January 10-14. Close to 100% of residents opted to receive the dose and most of our employees. Within days, we were among the very first senior care communities in the state to achieve this important goal.

Not only are we proud of our residents for their eagerness to participate in this life-saving program, but we also want to extend our most sincere appreciation to their close family and friends – all of whom recognized the immediate benefits of the program and ensured elders received these vaccinations for the health of the entire Parker community.

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Parker Main Office: 1421 River Road Piscataway, NJ 08854   732.902.4200    © Parker Health Group, Inc.