Tenafly–Incredibly, there are no programs in Bergen County that offer financial assistance to seniors in need of adult “briefs” or other incontinence products, so that millions of senior adults are becoming unnecessarily homebound. To help make a difference, the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades has set up a collection bin in its lobby to collect supplies for Bergen County’s low-income seniors. Last year, the JCC collected more than 6,000 adult briefs in just over a month and are looking for community support to collect even more this year. People can drop their donations off until the end of September.

“Incontinence is the second leading cause of institutionalization for senior adults,” says Marlene S. Ceragno, Recreational Therapist and Caregiver Support Coordinator for the JCC Senior Adult Department, who initiated the drive. “Having access to adult ‘briefs’ or other incontinence products is a ‘basic human need,’ which allows senior adults to remain mobile, social, and productive. Without them, many healthy older people would be trapped in their homes, fearful of joining social functions, or even attending their own grandchild’s wedding. If we band together as a community, we can make a difference that will allow our senior citizens to remain engaged. Please help us make this possible.”

For more information, call Marlene at 201-569-7900 x439 or [email protected].