SCILS Senior Community Independent Living Services
WHAT IS SCILS?

SCILS is the Senior Community Independent Living Services, a joint program of The First Occupational Center of New Jersey and the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It is designed to assist the elderly (55 years of age and older) residents of Essex County and Ocean County who are blind or visually impaired, in maintaining maximum independence by accessing the SCILS program services available to them.

 

WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SCILS PROGRAM?

Outreach, Information and Referral, Vision Screening, Examination by an Ophthalmologist (eye doctor), Low Vision Aids and Devices, Orientation and Mobility Training, Home Instruction in Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living, Restorative Surgery (cataract removal, lens implants, etc.), Volunteer Companions, Self-Help Support Groups, Community Services Advocacy.

Speciality ophthalmological services will be made available to those with vision impairment of 20/70 or 20/200 with corrective lenses.

 

 

HOW CAN I OBTAIN SCILS SERVICES?

Contact the SCILS Program Specialist at one of our two locations:

Orange,NJ

Joe Ruffalo, Supervisor
The First Occupational Center of New Jersey
391 Lakeside Avenue
Orange, NJ 07050

TEL: 973-672-5800

Toms River, NJ

27 Washington Street
Suites 14A & 14B
Toms River, NJ

TEL: 732-286-1582 or 1583

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I CALL SCILS?

The program specialist will call to make an appointment to visit you in your home. During the home visit, the program specialist will assess your needs for eye screening, volunteer services and other community services, and discuss these concerns with you. After arriving at a mutually agreeable service plan, the Program Specialist will make the appropriate referrals.

WHAT DO VOLUNTEER COMPANIONS DO?

SCILS volunteers visit blind and visually impaired people in their homes. They provide companionship, assistance with mail reading, shopping, access to public transportation and other community services in an effort to help people to maintain their independence and continue to live in their own homes.

SCILS volunteers also provide telephone reassurance to those who are homebound and unable to socialize with others.