Orgen Leads Adopt-A-Senior Program in Teaneck to Help Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic

Program Encourages Digital Interaction to Help Seniors Maintain Health and Wellness

Teaneck, N.J. – Teaneck pharmacist Karen Lew Orgen has spearheaded a township program working with Rachelle Zomick and others, to help seniors over age 60 stay connected with friends and neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage overall health and wellness for the population most at risk from the dangerous virus.

“Nobody should be alone during this pandemic, especially not our seniors,” said Orgen who also was the first female president of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps. “Seniors interested in staying in touch with the Teaneck community can call (201) 474-5719 and meet a new friend who will talk to them and check in on them regularly.  Social interaction has been proven to help boost the health of those dealing with high-stress situations, and I can’t think of a better time than now where we need to look after one another as we all continue to struggle with this strange new world we are living in.”

Orgen, who also is a member of the Teaneck Planning Board and is running for Council with Deputy Mayor Mark J. Schwartz and Teaneck Senior Citizens Advisory Board Member Michael Pagan on the Moving Teaneck Forward slate, worked with Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin and Deputy Mayor Elie Y. Katz to create the Adopt-A-Senior program which already has more than 20 volunteers who are ready to establish friendships with Teaneck’s seniors via telephone.

“In Teaneck, we take Aging-In-Place seriously, and helping our Seniors remain an integral and active part of our community is a key to succeeding,” said Orgen.  “COVID-19 is hurting all of us. We all know someone who has the virus or who has died from complications of Corona. This is another way we can come together to help keep Teaneck safe and keep Moving Teaneck Forward. Crises tend to bring out the best in Teaneck and in true Teaneck fashion we have more volunteers than Seniors.”

As of March 31st, Teaneck has more than 350 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 and 14 deaths since the pandemic broke out.

Seniors interested in signing up for the Adopt-A-Senior program can click the link below or call (201) 474-5719 to meet a fellow resident who can assist them:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYk1Q-X2JY7BvoGkjnsd6hI29tSKagvz5dj-h63O-_f4RpTw/viewform

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