Hudson County Office On Aging- River View Observer
By Tom Dwyer
           With a budget of ten million dollars, Edward Benoit, the Executive Director of the Hudson County Office on Aging (HCOA), has learned to stretch a buck. With a staff of ten employees, he oversees an agency that is currently assisting over 20,000 Hudson County senior citizens every year. The sobering fact is that Hudson County has the highest percentage of senior poverty in the state of New Jersey. But Ed Benoit, who has been the director of the HCOA for over two years, has big plans for the future. “My agency wants to reach out to as many seniors as possible and help them in every way that we can. We offer a number of community-based services including legal services, protective services, nutrition programs, Meals-on-Wheels, dental programs and housing.â€Â That’s why Benoit and his staff are about to kick off a marketing blitz to reach out to seniors in Hudson County to let them know more about programs available to them. Using flyers, meetings, focus groups, a new website and booklet, Benoit is determined to reach all who need assistance. He is also targeting those who help take care of seniors.  “There are many caregivers who are taking care of a family member, friend or neighbor. We want to let them know that there are services available for them as well.â€
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