NJAAW News and Resources
July 6, 2022
Like many of you, we are looking forward to slowing down a little this summer. So, we will cutback our newsletter to once a month until September.
Happy summer everyone!
Save the Date for
NEW JERSEY AGE-FRIENDLY VIRTUAL FAIR
Sept. 15 9:30 am - noon
NJAAW, the Rutgers School of Social Work, The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation and The Grotta Fund for Senior Care are hosting an online opportunity to connect with a range of communities, organizations, networks and projects that are advancing the NJ age-friendly communities movement. Click here to download a flyer; click here to sign up to participate.
Elizabeth Davis Wins the 2022 Carl F. West Award

Congratulations to Bright Side Family's Executive Director, Elizabeth Davis, for being named the recipient of NJAAW's Carl F. West Award.

Named in honor of one of our founding members, the Carl F. West Award is given to professionals, organizations and programs that exemplify excellence in their work for older adults. To read the full press release about this year's award, click here: Press Release

Join the Essential Jobs Essential Care NJ Coalition


NJAAW and PHI have partnered to build on the progress many NJ organizations have made in supporting the direct care workforce. As the COVID-19 pandemic has made clear, direct care workers provide critical support to older adults and people with disabilities across the state.

We are now moving into our next phase - forming committees to take deeper dives into the issues and build a road map to recruit and train new workforce members as well as improve wages and working situations for current workers.

1. Training
2. Job quality
3. State policy
4. Recruiting/supporting new workers
5. Data


If you are interested in joining one of these committees, please register here or email CRowe@NJAAW.org
Resources
NJAAW’s long-time partners at CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing) have released their Advocacy Agenda for Healthy Aging in Supportive Housing in NJ:

“New Jersey’s aging population is growing, and state and local policymakers need to proactively invest in resources to support these residents. This includes adding affordable and supportive housing and focusing on ways to strengthen the workforce by caring for our aging neighbors in the coming years. Roughly 40 percent of the supportive housing population is over 50 years old. We know that for these community members to age with dignity in communities and homes of their choosing, we must develop policies and housing that meet their specific needs.” 
 
To read their full report, click Health Aging in Supportive Housing

NJ PAC Offers Tickets Subsidy Program
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark is looking to coordinate with 501(3)(c) non-profits for their Ticket Subsidy Program! With the help of a few generous donors, they are able to offer tickets to selected shows at $6 a head for the constituents of non-profits. This is a great way to enrich the lives of people who may not otherwise be able to go out to see a performance very often or to simply provide a fun evening. For more details or if you have any questions, please reach out to cpotter@njpac.org
Policy Updates

Increases in SNAP Benefits
NJAAW is very pleased with recent passage of several hunger relief bills by the NJ Legislature and Governor. Most notable for older adults is the increase in benefits for snap. Executive Director Cathy Rowe testified to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens on June 23, supporting the increase and noting that a return to pre-COVID levels would not only leave seniors with less food purchasing power, but for many makes SNAP benefits not worth the effort.
 
  • “COVID revealed the large number of senior citizens who were eligible for SNAP but did not apply. Part of that is a perceived stigma, but a large part was that at $20 per month, with complicated applications and recertification processes, many senior citizens did not see SNAP benefits worth the effort. The increase in SNAP benefits during the public health emergency was essential in helping older adults get through the disruptions caused by the pandemic. If the SNAP levels were to return to pre-COVID levels, recipients are not going back to the same purchasing power. Inflation has driven up the cost of food (and gas and other items that take away from a household’s food budget). Going back to pre-COVID levels means SNAP recipients would have less purchasing power than they did 2 years ago and would be more food insecure than before the pandemic. The proposed increase might not seem like much, but for an older adult, it is a trip to the grocery store. It can provide breakfast every day for the month or fresh vegetables at dinner.”
 
The new legislation sets the minimum monthly SNAP benefits at $50 and simplifies the application process for senior citizens. 

Please encourage eligible seniors to consider applying for this important assistance as we continue to work to expand benefits and fight food insecurity.
Professional Development and Education
S-Cope & Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Offer Summer Coffee Talks
S-COPE presents a series of “Coffee Talk” sessions. They are brief, 30-minute webinar discussions full of information hosted on Thursday’s at 1:00pm! So grab your pen, paper, and mug and join in.  
Topics will include:
  • July 7th - Responding to Hallucinations and Delusions
  • July 28th - Staff Burnout During the COVID Pandemic
  • August 4th - Impact of Diet on Mental Health
  • August 25th- Dementia and the Brain
  • September 29th - Sexuality in LTC
See flyer for details and instructions by clicking here: Coffee Talks

The International End of Life Doula Association is offering training programs July - September. Formats offered include 3 week/6 sessions; 4 week/8 sessions or weekends/ 5 sessions
PREREQUISITE: None, open to all
REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, computer or tablet with audio & video capabilities.
CONTACT HOURS FOR NURSES: Optional
For information go to INELDA
Have You Seen Our Photo Contest Winners?
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Aging Great in the Garden State photo contest. We had several great depictions of fellow New Jerseyans age 60+ doing what they love in the state they love.

While the decisions were hard ot make, our judges chose:

Left:
1st Prize - Abby Road Recreation
Photographer: Stephanie Gaber








2nd Prize - Butterfly Mural in Burlington
Photographer: Cheryl Painter



3rd Prize: Beach Boys Recreation
Photographer: Stephanie Gaber
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