Home care in Mountain Lakes

Morris County's directory of senior centers doesn't list one in Mountain Lakes; it lists centers in neighboring Denville and Parsippany. The borough's 55 Plus Committee plans activities for older residents and helps them connect with county, state and national services such as transportation and the Midday Food Program. The Recreation Department also keeps a page for the Lakers 55+ Club, which says the department is looking to re-establish the club and expected a first meeting in Fall 2024, so check with the borough for what's running now.

A caregiver can make the outings your father enjoys part of the week, whether that's a committee event, the library on Elm Road or lunch out, and keep him company at home on the days he stays in.

Much of the practical help here comes through Morris County. MAPS gives curb-to-curb shared rides to residents 60 and over for medical trips, social services and grocery shopping, and Home Delivered Meals brings five meals a week, at no cost with a suggested donation of $2.00 per meal, for county residents who are at least 60 and disabled, homebound, and not always physically able to shop, cook or feed themselves.

A caregiver fills the hours around those services: getting your father ready for a ride and settled when he's home, cooking the meals the delivery doesn't cover, and the errands and appointments that don't fit a shared-ride schedule.