Registration is OPEN for NJAAW's
24th Annual Conference,
“Building an Age-Friendly Ecosystem -
Bringing the 4Ms and 8 Domains to NJ”
June 13, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick.
Join us for our 24th Annual Conference! We will be back in person on Monday, June 13, at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick. Click here to register. An early bird discount is available until Friday, April 1.
This year, our conference will include speakers from two important perspectives on healthy aging in NJ.
The first, the 4Ms of Age-Friendly Health Systems (an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States) will highlight the work to better identify and address the health care needs of NJ’s older residents and patients.
The second perspective, the movement towards implementing the 8 Domains of Age-Friendly Communities at the local, county and state levels, will highlight best practices, tools and progress in making NJ an age-friendly state.
Scheduled panels (as of March 16) include:
- Morning Keynote: "Building Age-Friendly Ecosystem," Jane Carmody, DNP, MBA, RN, FAAN, Senior Program Officer at The John A. Hartford Foundation
- Best Practices in NJ's Age-Friendly Efforts
- Overcoming Isolation
- Taking the High Road: Medical Cannabis Use in Older Adults
- Aging In Place - An Inter-Agency Holistic Approach
- Integrating Care to Age Well in Affordable and Permanent Supportive Housing
- Asset Mapping - The Somerset & Bergen County projects
- Supporting Community-Dwelling Older Adults through University Supported Programs
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Thank You, Social Workers
Governor Murphy declared March as Social Work Month. We celebrate social workers and thank them for their dedication to enhancing the well-being of others.
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Cathy Rowe, DrPH, was recently interviewed for a PIX 11 news report titled “NJ officials warn of scammers exploiting Ukraine crisis.” Read her blog post on the topic and link to the news segment here.
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NJAAW Housing Series Wraps Up
Last month, our four-part housing series brought together experts in housing for older adults in New Jersey. With more than 350 attendees from the general public, field of aging, nonprofits, businesses and government agencies, it highlighted the need and desire for information on the range of housing solutions for older residents.
With the help of our speakers, we explored the continuum of changing housing needs and options that we all face as we age. Beginning with strategies to stay in one’s home, then getting help in the home, finding appropriate housing and assisted living, and closing with a review of current policies in housing, the series took a deep dive into the issues older residents will face as they age in NJ.
One current that ran through each session was that people need to explore options and make plans well in advance, not only in terms of financing through long-term care policies or savings, but in knowing what options are available, where they are located and how to apply.
We encouraged attendees to start exploring housing options for themselves or for family and friends who are aging. In addition, we encouraged people to learn what their community is doing and NOT doing to prepare for an aging NJ and to ensure there will housing to meet their needs.
On a related note… It’s good to see the PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program operated by Lutheran Senior Life in Jersey City -- our partner from the NJAAW Housing Series -- featured in a recent New York Times article by Paula Span. Click here to read the article.
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Mark Tabakman Retires from NJAAW Board After 20+ years
NJAAW is bidding a sad but fond goodbye to long-time Board member and advocate for aging, Mark Tabakman. Tabakman became involved as a member of the former Senior Executive Council in 2001 (the organization was founded in 1998). He joined the Board in early 2007, taking on responsibilities as Vice Chair, then assuming the Chair position from 2013 to 2019.
NJAAW Board Chair Steve Leone said, “For over 20 years, Mark has dedicated his time, compassion, passion, legal expertise and talent to this organization. As Board Chair, Mark ushered organizational changes from our foundation and grant-giving roots to the advocacy we take on today. We thank Mark, and also his wife, Jill, for their devotion to NJAAW, generosity and friendship, and we wish Mark the best as he retires from his tenure on our Board. Without him, we would not have accomplished as much nor progressed as far as we have to help NJ’s older residents. And yes, Mark, you’ve made a big difference.”
“As I was diving into my new position at NJAAW last May,” said Cathy Rowe, “I saw evidence of how Mark’s leadership, dedication and wisdom over 20 years had a tremendous impact in setting our course. This will forever remain Mark’s legacy at NJAAW, and I thank him for helping me take on the role of Executive Director and building such a strong foundation for the organization he loves.”
“I joined this wonderful organization wanting to make a difference in the lives of older people,” said Tabakman, “having watched my own grandmother look out of her fifth-story window for the last many years of her life.
“I was/am dedicated to the cause and from day one. I believed we could make a difference and facilitate ‘aging in place’ as we call it -- that is, aging with independence and the ability to live and thrive, in the community, thereby sustaining relevance and dignity.
“I went from serving on the Senior Executive Council to the Board, then served as the Board Chair for six years. I have watched the reach and influence of NJ Foundation for Aging -- and now NJ Advocates for Aging Well -- grow, and have taken pride in being a part of that new vitality. The time has come, however, for me to move on and I do so with sadness mixed with pride and gratitude.
“Under Steve Leone’s skilled and able leadership, and our new Executive Director, Cathy Rowe, who is already having an impact, NJAAW is well-positioned to continue to advocate for older people in whatever forum is necessary or presents itself.
“Our name has recently changed but our cause goes on. And on,” Tabakman said.
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AARP Walk Audit Toolkit
AARP has announced new Walk Audit Toolkit to help make streets safe for pedestrians and drivers. A key focus of age-friendly communities, improving walkability benefits residents of all ages -- from the older adult to the family pushing a stroller and everyone in between.
A walk audit is a simple tool to help evaluate the walkability of a location by documenting whether pedestrians can safely travel along a street, navigate an intersection, etc. This is a great tool to use as the warm weather bring us outdoors.
To learn more about the Walk Audit Tool Kit, click here.
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New ANCHOR Program Will
Assist Older Adults with Property Tax Relief
In his recent budget proposal, Governor Murphy introduced the ANCHOR (Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters) program. This proposal replaces and expands the current Homestead Rebate Program which benefits many of NJ’s older homeowners.
Other proposed legislation would make it easier for seniors to apply for and receive the Senior Freeze program. NJAAW supports property tax reforms that enable older adults to remain in their homes and communities. Stay tuned for more developments on property tax relief as the budget process begins.
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New Information for Grandfamilies
From Generations United --
2021 State of Grandfamilies Report Now Available in Spanish
Generations United has released the Spanish language version of the 2021 State of Grandfamilies in America Annual Report. This report highlights how the systems and services that help U.S. families were not designed for grandfamilies, leaving children and caregivers in these families with inequitable access to key resources to help their families thrive. Learn more here.
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Leading Age Offers LGBTQI+ Designated Representatives & Facility Staff Courses
NJHA and LeadingAge NJ & DE are offering education programs designed to assist nursing homes, assisted living communities and dementia care homes meet the statutory requirements concerning the rights of LGBTQI+ older adults who reside in facilities. For more information, click here.
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New Resources on Nutrition Requirements for Senior Nutrition Programs
ACL’s Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs (ONHPP) has released a new suite of resources to help senior nutrition programs better understand and meet dietary guidelines of the Older Americans Act (OAA).
Resources include:
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Older Adults: Toolkit for Senior Nutrition Programs
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Dietary Reference Intakes Overview Presentation
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Dietary Reference Intakes Network Discussion
Click here for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Older Adults Toolkit webpage.
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"Coming Back After COVID: NJ Arts and Culture Recovery Fund" |
New Jersey has a vast array of theatre, visual art, dance, music, museums and heritage sites, but COVID has had a devastating impact on those sectors. Aging Insights TV host Cathy Rowe, DrPH, finds out the latest in these areas from Lynne Toye, Executive Director of the NJ Arts and Culture Recovery Fund.
Learn about the wide range of arts, culture and historic sites in NJ and how the Fund has helped them not only survive but adapt in new and creative ways that accommodate older adults.
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A recent article by Judith Graham in Kaiser Health News covers the debate about the effectiveness of Aduhelm, the costly new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease, and Medicare’s coverage of it. Last June, the FDA granted accelerated approval to the medication but ordered the drugmaker, Biogen, to conduct a new clinical trial to verify its benefit. Read the article here.
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