September is Healthy Aging Month! |
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Now in its 30th year, this observance raises awareness on the physical and mental health of older adults and reminds us that as we age, our minds and bodies change. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle to help deal with those changes as well as prevent some common age-related health problems are key components of healthy aging.
Healthy aging is also part of "Healthy People 2030." Started as the Healthy People initiative in 1979, Healthy People 2030 sets measurable, national objectives to improve the health and well-being of all people. Twenty of those objectives are specifically focused on improving quality of life for older adults.
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Aging Insights is also available as a podcast through our website, Spotify and other podcast apps.! |
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Driving Safer, Better & Longer
Driving is more than the means of getting for point A to point B – it is independence and freedom. Join us for this special episode on driving with guests Shani Jarvis, Manager of Public Affairs at AAA Northeast and Brigitte Muehlbauer, Occupational Therapist and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist. We discuss strategies and tools to ensure you can drive safely while aging including classes, tools and assistive devices, occupational therapy and online resources. They also discuss plans for “driving retirement” and solutions for transportation when someone decides to give up driving.
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Parker Life Hosts In-person Lunch & Learn Programs
"Using Your Wits"
September 29, 12:00pm
15 Dellwood Lane, Somerset
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We all know that physical fitness is an important component of healthy aging, but did you know that your brain needs a workout too to maintain or improve its performance? Join Parker Life to learn more from Lis Bayer, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). Lunch will be provided. Space is limited. RSVP by Sept 26 to Daniel Carr at (732) 565-2426 or dcarr@parkerlife.org. |
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Town Hall for Property Tax Relief
Friday, September 23, 10am
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Assistive Technology Summit 2022 - September 22, 2022
8:30 - 3:30 pm
Mercer Community College
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Join AARP NJ this Friday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. ET for a telephone town hall with New Jersey’s Treasurer, Elizabeth Maher Muoio.
Discussions will cover how to apply for ANCHOR and other property tax relief programs, and listeners will have the opportunity to ask questions live.
Register for the Town Hall
See more information on the ANCHOR program below
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Join consumers and professionals for a free day of learning and sharing about all areas of Assistive Technology. Sessions will include:
- AT Supports for the Classroom
- Workplace accommodations
- Transition services / strategies
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Smart home technology
….. and much more!
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Virtual Webinar Lunch and Learn
Age Friendly Accessory Dwelling Units - From Local to State: There's a Right-Size for All
Oct 3, 2022 12:00 PM -1:00PM
The New Jersey Statewide Age Friendly Collaborative's Local Accelerator Group and Regional Plan Association invite you to a free virtual lunch and learn to hear how local efforts are leading to expanded accessory dwelling unit (ADU) options across the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut area.
The Age Friendly movement is growing, with communities and local leaders committing to improving the quality of life for both older residents and people of all ages. A key component of an age friendly and livable community is the adoption of policies and programs that allow for a variety of affordable and adaptable housing options. One such option gaining traction across the tri-state are ADUs.
During the webinar, attendees will:
• Learn the basics of what ADUs are and how they can be leveraged to support age friendly efforts within communities
• Understand the importance of local level efforts in expanding access to ADUs, whether at the state, county, or municipal level
• Hear examples from across CT, NY, and NJ of how ADU policies are being implemented or expanded at different levels of scale
• Learn of additional ADU resources and ways to get involved
This is a free event, and registration is required.
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Property Tax Reduction Programs for Seniors
The Senior Freeze program reimburses eligible seniors and disabled residents for increases in their property taxes or mobile home fees. The 2021 Senior Freeze Applications are due October 31, 2022.
The new Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters
(ANCHOR) program replaces the “Homestead Benefit” and provides property tax relief to New Jersey residents who owned or rented their principal residence on October 1, 2019, and met the income limits. The new ANCHOR program provides up to $1,500 in property tax relief for eligible homeowners, and $450 for eligible renters. The deadline for filing is December 30th, 2022.
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NJ Division of Aging Services hosts free trainings
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- 2-Day Project Healthy Bones Northern Regional Training on September 28th and 29th in Morris County at NORWESCAP, Morristown, NJ. This training is for both Peer Leaders and Lead Coordinators.
- 2-Day Project Healthy Bones Southern Regional Training on October 17th and 18th in Gloucester County. This training is for both Peer Leaders and Lead Coordinators.
- 2-Day Move Today Lead Trainer Training on November 1st and 2nd in Morris County at NORWESCAP, Morristown, NJ.
Please contact Heather Taylor at Heather.Taylor@dhs.nj.gov to register for above.
- 4-Day Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) Peer Leader Training on November 29th – December 2nd in Mercer County at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center in Hamilton, NJ.
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Statewide Respite Care Program
The New Jersey Statewide Respite Care Program gives a short-term or periodic break to family (or other caregivers) from the demands of daily care for functionally impaired persons, including the frail elderly. The sliding scale ranges from 0% to 25% of the cost of services, based on the care recipient's (and spouse's) income.
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NJ Increases Annual Payments to Certain Veterans with Disabilities
Governor Murphy recently signed bill A-1477 to increase annual payments from the State to veterans with certain disabilities resulting from their wartime service. Annual payments to eligible veterans will increase from $750 to $1,800 recognizing the increased cost of living over the past few decades.
Prior to the bill becoming law, payments to veterans with certain disabilities covered under the Paraplegic and Hemiplegic Veterans’ Allowance program had not increased since 1981, while payments to blind veterans covered under the Blind Veterans’ Allowance Program had not increased since 1971.
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LTCO Releases New LGBTQI and HIV+ Residents' Rights Brochure
In response to Bill of Rights for LGBTQI and HIV+ , which took effect in August 2021, the LTCO has created a brochure about the rights of LGBTQI residents and residents living with HIV in New Jersey’s long-term care facilities.
The brochure lists facility practices that are prohibited under the new law, explains the LGBTQI and HIV+ training that all LTC employees must receive, and provides contact information to file complaints.
A text version that can be translated into multiple languages is also available. For more information go to:
or email outreach@ltco.nj.gov
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Professional Development and Education |
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The Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) is the first national benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusion in senior housing and long-term care communities. With free resources, technical assistance and a biennial survey, the LEI helps communities implement, strengthen, and innovate their LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts based on emerging best practices.
The LEI 2023 survey will open until November '22. Click here: LEI Survey
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The American Society on Aging and Home Instead offer free, monthly webinars with available Continuing Education credits. Each of the webinars will be recorded and available for viewing for up to 60 days after the live presentation. Pre-registration is required to attend the live or the recorded webinars.
For topics and dates, click here: here
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Geriatric Workforce Enhancement program
The E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, in partnership with CATCH-ON, the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program based at Rush, and the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging, has developed an online educational program that provides basic knowledge every mental health clinician needs to work effectively with older adults.
For more information, click here
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What is it like to live in New Jersey? |
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It could depend on which of its 21 counties you live in. Discover views from 21 people in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties in 21.
New Jerseyans who are making an impact in their counties tell their stories 21 different ways in short original documentaries, produced by NJ PBS’s NJ Spotlight News team.
And we thank them for featuring many older, active residents in their coverage.
To see the series, click here:
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Creative Aging Initiative Guidelines Now Open
The NJ State Council on the Arts has released the guidelines for their Creative Aging Initiative (CAI) grant program.
The CAI grant program provides $10,000 to eligible arts organizations, libraries, veterans homes, and senior and community centers to cover costs for two 8-day residencies for New Jersey seniors/aging adults.
The deadline to apply is September 29, 2022.
For more information, click here:
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Follow NJAAW on social media! |
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