TOMS RIVER — Ocean County residents looking for local programs and services can text questions to a free county-backed line, county officials said Wednesday.

The Age-Friendly Ocean County Text Line, reached by texting 848-266-6981, connects older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers and families with resources for transportation, meals, housing, health care, social activities, caregiving help and other needs, according to the county. Officials said the service launched Sept. 11, runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, supports multiple languages and requires no app or registration. Messages do not need to be perfectly spelled or written, the county said.

During pilot testing from June through September, the line recorded 111 unique users and 571 resource referrals, reaching residents in 16 of the county's 33 municipalities, officials said. Transportation, housing and meals were the most requested topics, followed by community activities, social connection and home care.

"Our goal is to make it easier for older adults and caregivers to find the information and support they need," said Maria La Face, director of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services.

The project is a partnership of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, the Rutgers Hub for Aging Collaboration and technology company Bridge Social, with seed money from the Grunin Foundation, according to the county. Officials said the project team continues to update its resource database.

The line supports the county's 2026–2030 Multisector Plan for Aging, which focuses on housing, transportation, health care, food security, caregiving and social connection, officials said. The county is asking community groups, libraries, senior centers, retirement communities, health care providers and municipal offices to spread word of the service.

This brief was drafted by AI from a public agency’s press release and published by The New Jersey Tide. Why we use AI for stories like this one.