Hillsborough Township Senior Citizens

Hillsborough Township is proud to introduce the Senior Active Living Initiative, a strategic proposal submitted by Lead Social Services Liaison, Committeeman Robert Britting Jr.

As a designated member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, Hillsborough is home to more than 10,000 residents aged 60 and older. This initiative outlines a comprehensive plan to expand and coordinate local senior services, ensuring our older adults have the tools, everyday mobility, and strong social connections they need to comfortably age in place right here at home.

Key Highlights of the Initiative:

• A Unified Coordinated Model: The initiative brings senior transportation, Social Services, township parks, and recreation facilities under a single, streamlined schedule.
• Maximizing Town Assets: The plan optimizes the use of existing facilities, including the daily hub at the Senior Activities Room and the upcoming, newly funded recreation center at Merdinger Park.
• Fiscal Responsibility ($0 Tax Impact): Expanded programming, technology workshops, and wellness classes are achieved without creating a new municipal department, adding employee headcount, or increasing local taxes. Instead, the initiative maximizes existing township assets and relies on partnerships with local businesses, civic volunteers, schools, and nonprofits.
• Comprehensive Current & Future Programming: The plan builds on well-attended current offerings, such as dedicated senior bus transit, YMCA fitness partnerships, line dancing, wellness workshops, and the annual Senior Curbside Pickup program, while laying the groundwork for exciting new activities.

Your Feedback Shapes the Future!

A core priority of this initiative is listening directly to our residents. The accompanying Senior Programming and Communications Survey is designed to evaluate our current offerings and to identify which new programs or events you would like to see.

Furthermore, because a program can only be successful if residents know it exists, the survey will help us identify the best, most budget-conscious ways to keep you informed.

Please contact each club directly for their events.

Coming together for fun and festivities, the Hillsborough Senior Citizen Clubs conduct meetings once a month to discuss senior issues, socialize, and plan exciting trips!

Come join one of our two Senior Clubs and step into an active senior lifestyle.

Anyone interested in joining should contact the desired club directly at the "Membership" number below.

Website Link to Club Page

Meets the first Thursday of each month 

President - Linda Novak

Membership - Lucy Nicastro 908-313-7730

Website Link to Club Page 

Meets the second Thursday of each month 

President - Dotty Capra

Membership - Maria Maresca 908 625-3125

The very active Senior Wellness Program offers a variety of activities for each day of the work week. Exercise Class (three levels of fitness), Line Dancing, Flower Arranging, Shopping Trips, Hunterdon Medical Center’s monthly lectures and screenings on a variety of health issues, and the weekly social are all available.

We have teamed up with GetSetUp to provide hundreds of live online classes to keep you mentally, physically and socially active. Classes are interactive, easy to join, offered day and night and free for our community

In order to provide safe and appropriate levels of exercise, we have partnered with the YMCA to offer classes modeled after Enhanced Fitness Program for our senior population. Each class is taught by an experienced instructor who holds a nationally accredited Group Exercise Certification and is CPR/AED certified, as well. Classes are all-inclusive and take place in the YMCA facility. (Please register your interest in this program through the link below).

The classes meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 45 minutes. It is recommended that you have your physician’s approval prior to beginning any exercise program.

Enhanced Fitness is a physical activity program that is designed to safely increase participants’ fitness levels through aerobic and strength training exercises while building a sense of community and social connectedness among class members. Enhance Fitness has been proven to increase participants’ strength, balance, flexibility, mood, general activity level, and independence when they attend on a regular basis. 

The program is beneficial for older adults in general, but has been deemed particularly safe and effective for older adults living with arthritis and is listed as recommended arthritis intervention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Participants' progress can be followed.

It is important to stress, that the participant exercises based on their own abilities. The instructor will help individuals modify their routine based on their fitness ability.

Our Senior Dancing Program is dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults by fostering physical activity, mental stimulation, and social connection through the joy of dance. We strive to create a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment where participants can enhance their well-being, build confidence, and share their enthusiasm in the community.

The Senior Dance Program is provided through the Hillsborough Township Social Services Department. The instructor of the Senior Dance Program is a Township employee who takes direction from the Social Services office. The Senior Dance Program is open to Hillsborough residents aged 60 and over.

Prior to starting the Senior Dance Class, each participant must complete and submit the following forms;

• Hillsborough Township Hold Harmless
• Program Participant Emergency Contact
• Handbook Acknowledgement
• Photo Release

The Senior Dance Program meets on Tuesdays from 8:00am - 12:00pm

For further information, please contact Gloria Padgett at (908) - 369 - 3880

• Hold Harmless 

Helping You Live Safely & Independently at Home

The Somerset County Handyman Program connects local seniors and residents with physical disabilities to skilled neighborhood volunteers who can help with minor home repairs.

The program's goal is simple: to help you maintain a safe, secure, and independent life in the comfort of your own home while staying an active part of our community.

How it works:

• Volunteer-Driven: Leverages the talents and skills of local volunteers.
• Safety-Focused: Targets small repairs and modifications that prevent accidents and improve accessibility.
• Peace of Mind: Provides reliable assistance for tasks that might otherwise be difficult or unsafe to tackle alone.

Please see the Social Services page for information about

• Affordable Housing
• Utility Assistance
• Municipal Room Requests
• Volunteering
• Food Pantry
• Donations